The short version of cmf by nothing vs nothing earbuds: CMF brings the bigger battery and a 3.5 mm jack; Nothing Ear brings a compact case, call-focused features, and the easier form factor to carry.
CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active vs Nothing Ear at a Glance
• CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active’s strength: over-ear fit, up to 50 hours of wireless playback with ANC on, and a 3.5 mm jack. Trade-off: its over-ear design is bulkier to carry than earbuds.
• Nothing Ear’s strength: in-ear portability, adaptive ANC, and dual-device connectivity. Trade-off: its stated 42.5-hour total playback time is with ANC off, and it has no headphone jack.
• For adjustable sound and spacious listening modes: CMF offers a customizable EQ, a bass-and-treble slider, and spatial audio.
• For calls and switching between a laptop and phone: Nothing Ear includes call-focused microphone features and dual-device connectivity.
• Choose CMF if you want over-ear headphones for long listening sessions. Choose Nothing Ear if you want small earbuds for a commute, daily carry, or workouts.
The CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active is an over-ear Bluetooth headset built around extended listening. It has 40 mm dynamic drivers, LDAC support, and dual Hi-Res certification. The stated playback time reaches up to 50 hours with ANC on, while the product description also gives a longer figure with ANC off. For someone who listens through a workday, a long flight, or a series of errands, that battery emphasis is a meaningful advantage.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
Noise control is another draw. CMF specifies adaptive active noise cancellation up to 40 dB, plus a Transparency Mode that can be switched on with the ANC button. You can also adjust the sound with a bass-and-treble slider, a custom EQ, and spatial audio features in the Nothing X app. Bluetooth 5.4 and a 3.5 mm jack give it more than one way to connect, which is useful if you want a wired fallback.
I’d consider it for a listener who prefers padded over-ear headphones and wants long battery life, customizable sound, or a wired connection. I’d skip it if your priority is the smallest possible kit for jogging. Over-ear headphones take up more room than an earbud case, and the provided information does not state a water-resistance rating or a secure-fit feature for running. That does not make them unsuitable for every jog; it means the specs alone cannot settle whether they’ll stay comfortable and secure for your particular routine.
Nothing Ear is the more compact choice: in-ear buds with a charging case and Bluetooth connectivity. Its 11 mm dynamic driver is paired with hybrid ANC rated up to 45 dB. The noise cancellation adapts to the seal between the earbud and the ear canal, and the Nothing X app lets you choose among three cancellation levels or use adaptive control. If you want a small set of earbuds for commuting, calls, or carrying in a pocket, this design makes a different kind of sense from an over-ear headset.
Nothing Ear’s practical strengths include dual-device connectivity and a call-focused microphone setup. The product information describes six microphones, voice isolation, and design features intended to reduce wind interference during calls. That combination makes it a plausible pick for someone who moves between a phone and laptop and wants to take conversations on the go. Its stated total listening time is over 42.5 hours with ANC off, including the case; the fast-charge claim also specifies up to 10 hours of playback after 10 minutes, with ANC off.
For jogging, the small form is appealing, but it is not the same as a documented running fit: the supplied information does not specify water resistance or a dedicated sport-fit feature. I’d choose Nothing Ear if compactness and easy carrying matter more than over-ear comfort, especially if you also value calls and device switching. I’d skip it if you specifically want a headphone jack or the stated 50-hour ANC-on playback figure offered by CMF.
• Best for longer playback with ANC on → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active. It is specified for up to 50 hours with ANC enabled.
• Best for small, easy-to-carry audio gear → Nothing Ear. Its in-ear buds come with a charging case.
• Best for jogging if you prefer over-ear headphones → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active. Its larger fit may suit you if you dislike earbuds, though the product information does not establish a running-specific fit.
• Best bluetooth earbuds for jogging → Nothing Ear, if you prefer the earbud form. Its compact design is easier to carry, but the supplied specs do not confirm water resistance or a sport-locking fit.
• Best for wired listening → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active. It has a 3.5 mm jack; Nothing Ear has no headphone jack.
• Best for adaptive noise control → Nothing Ear. Its ANC adjusts to the earbud seal and offers three manual levels in the app.
• Best for sound customization and spatial audio → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active. It offers a custom EQ, a bass-and-treble slider, and spatial audio features.
• Best multipoint bluetooth headset for jogging → Nothing Ear, if switching between devices is part of your routine. Its dual-device connectivity is specified, though the data does not say whether the fit will suit your particular running style.
One caution applies to both jogging choices. Neither product’s supplied details establish water resistance or a dedicated secure-running design. If you sweat heavily or want a fit explicitly built for vigorous movement, confirm those points before choosing rather than assuming them from the product type.
The phrase “best noise cancelling headphones for jogging” can point toward different priorities here. CMF has over-ear headphones and a stated ANC-on battery figure; Nothing Ear offers in-ear portability and adaptive ANC. Neither spec sheet can tell you how either will feel or stay in place during your run. Your preference for over-ear versus in-ear fit matters more than the ANC numbers alone.
I’d buy the CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active for its up-to-50-hour ANC-on playback, 3.5 mm jack, and sound controls.
For jogging, I’d make that choice only if I preferred an over-ear fit and found it secure for my routine.
If compact earbuds and switching between two devices matter more, I’d choose Nothing Ear instead.
That’s my call in this CMF by Nothing vs Nothing Ear comparison: CMF for longer, more adjustable listening; Nothing for portable convenience.
Nothing Ear is more compact, while CMF is an over-ear headset.
CMF specifies up to 50 hours of playback with ANC on. Nothing Ear’s stated total of over 42.5 hours is for ANC off, so those figures are not a direct like-for-like comparison.
The supplied details specify Bluetooth 5.4, but do not mention multipoint connectivity. Nothing Ear does specify dual-device connectivity for switching between a laptop and phone.
Choose CMF if a wired option matters: it has a 3.5 mm jack. Nothing Ear is wireless and has no headphone jack.
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