If you want longer stated playtime and a sport-oriented feature set for jogging, choose CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a; if you need stronger stated ANC and more adaptive noise control, choose Nothing Ear. The CMF is the more straightforward fit for an active routine, while Nothing Ear puts more emphasis on adjusting to changing surroundings.
CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a vs Nothing Ear at a Glance
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a: A 12.4 mm driver, up to 42 dB ANC, IP54 rating, and up to 35.5 hours of stated playback with the case; the trade-off is that its ANC figure is lower than Nothing Ear’s.
• Nothing Ear: Up to 45 dB adaptive ANC, a 6-mic call system, and up to 42.5 hours of stated total playback with ANC off; the trade-off is that the total figure is specified with ANC off, and no water-resistance rating is supplied here.
• CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a suits: Someone who wants a sport-oriented set of features, including IP54, touch controls, and customizable ANC.
• Nothing Ear suits: Someone who values adaptive noise cancellation, a dedicated talk microphone, and fast charging.
• For jogging: CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a has the clearer activity-specific case; Nothing Ear has the stronger stated ANC figure.
CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a combines a 12.4 mm dynamic driver with ANC specified up to 42 dB. The larger driver is part of its audio design, with the product information describing a warm sound and bass-forward presentation. That may suit someone who likes a fuller sound for a running playlist or everyday listening. The Nothing X app adds custom EQ profiles, adjustable ANC, and a transparency mode, so you can tailor the sound and choose how much outside noise to let in.
For jogging, the most relevant practical details are its IP54 rating, in-ear bud design, and supplied S, M, and L ear tips. IP54 is a useful stated protection detail for an active routine, but the sheet does not claim the buds are guaranteed to stay in place while running. Fit will still depend on your ears, so having multiple tip sizes gives you options to find a comfortable seal. The listed battery life is up to 8 hours for the earbuds and up to 35.5 hours with the case. It also supports Bluetooth 5.4, dual-device connectivity, and quick charging that provides up to 2 hours of playback from a 5-minute charge.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
Nothing Ear focuses on noise control and calls. Its ANC is specified up to 45 dB and can adjust to its surroundings, with manual control through three cancellation levels in the Nothing X app. The system also checks for noise leakage around the earbud seal and adjusts cancellation intensity. That makes its feature set especially relevant if you move between quieter areas and noisier streets and want more control over how much sound is reduced.
The 11 mm driver is designed to deliver bass, while the product information also highlights Hi-Res Audio and an advanced equalizer. For calls, it has six microphones and a dedicated talk microphone, with airflow design intended to reduce wind interference. Its stated total playback time is up to 42.5 hours with ANC off, and a 10-minute charge can provide up to 10 hours of playback, also with ANC off. Bluetooth 5.3 and dual-device connectivity support switching between a phone and laptop. ChatGPT access is available through the Nothing X app when paired with a Nothing-series phone.
For jogging, Nothing Ear may appeal if stronger stated ANC, call features, and fast charging matter more to you than an activity-specific rating. But the provided details do not list an IP rating, so I would not assume a particular level of water or dust protection. Its playtime figures also need context: the maximum total is stated with ANC off, and using ANC can change how long you listen between charges.
Who should skip this: Skip Nothing Ear if an explicitly stated IP54 rating is a key part of your choice. That protection rating is listed for CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a, but not for Nothing Ear in the product details here.
• Best for jogging with a stated protection rating → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a. It lists IP54 and includes three ear-tip sizes, although no spec guarantees a secure fit for every runner.
• Higher stated ANC figure → Nothing Ear. Its ANC is specified up to 45 dB, compared with up to 42 dB for CMF.
• Best fit for customizable ANC and transparency mode → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a. The Nothing X app includes adjustable ANC levels and a transparency mode.
• Best fit for adaptive noise cancellation → Nothing Ear. It can adjust cancellation based on its surroundings and compensate for detected noise leakage.
• Longer stated total playtime with ANC off → Nothing Ear. Its figure is up to 42.5 hours, while CMF lists up to 35.5 hours with the case. The conditions differ, so treat these as manufacturer figures rather than a direct controlled comparison.
• Quick-charge detail to notice → Nothing Ear. Ten minutes is specified to provide up to 10 hours of playback with ANC off; CMF specifies up to 2 hours from a 5-minute charge.
• Best for a larger listed driver → CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a. It has a 12.4 mm dynamic driver; Nothing Ear’s driver is 11 mm. Driver size alone does not establish which will sound better to you.
• Best for frequent calls in windy surroundings → Nothing Ear. Its six-microphone system includes a dedicated talk microphone and wind-reduction design; CMF lists four microphones and wind-noise reduction features.
For jogging, first think about fit and protection, not just ANC. Both are in-ear earbuds, and CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a includes S, M, and L tips plus an IP54 rating. Nothing Ear lists neither an IP rating nor multiple tip sizes in the details here, so I would avoid assuming either feature.
Next, decide whether you want to reduce surrounding sound or stay more aware of it. CMF offers ANC adjustments and transparency mode. Nothing Ear emphasizes adaptive ANC and three cancellation levels. For outdoor jogging, being able to hear your surroundings may matter; the presence of ANC does not itself make either pair the right choice for every route or runner.
Battery claims also need careful reading. CMF lists up to 8 hours from the earbuds and up to 35.5 hours with the case. Nothing Ear’s up-to-42.5-hour total is stated with ANC off, and its quick-charge claim is also based on ANC off. If you expect to run with noise cancellation enabled, do not treat the maximum figures as guaranteed listening time under that use.
Finally, shoppers searching for the best noise cancelling headphones for jogging or the best bluetooth earbuds for jogging should remember that these are earbuds, not over-ear headphones, and neither sheet provides a running-retention test. For a multipoint bluetooth headset for jogging, both offer dual-device connectivity; CMF uses Bluetooth 5.4 and Nothing Ear Bluetooth 5.3. Multipoint is handy for switching between devices, but it does not answer the separate question of how securely a pair fits during movement.
I would choose CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a for jogging because its IP54 rating, multiple supplied ear-tip sizes, transparency mode, and sport-oriented feature set make the more relevant combination for an active routine. Nothing Ear has the stronger stated ANC figure and more detailed call and fast-charge features, so it is a compelling alternative if those matter more. For jogging specifically, my pick is CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a, while keeping in mind that fit is personal and the spec sheet does not promise a secure running fit.
CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a is the clearer activity-focused choice on the listed details: it has an IP54 rating and comes with three ear-tip sizes. Neither product’s supplied information guarantees that it will stay secure for every runner.
Nothing Ear has the higher stated maximum, up to 45 dB, versus up to 42 dB for CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a. Nothing Ear also describes adaptive cancellation, while CMF includes adjustable ANC and transparency mode.
CMF lists up to 8 hours for the earbuds and up to 35.5 hours with the case. Nothing Ear lists up to 42.5 hours total with ANC off, so the figures use different conditions and should not be read as a like-for-like test.
Nothing Ear has six microphones, including a dedicated talk microphone, and describes wind-reduction features. CMF BY NOTHING Buds 2a lists four microphones and wind-noise reduction as well, so both include call-focused features; Nothing Ear provides more detail about its microphone setup.
• MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones vs Perytong Sleeping Headphones Headband
• DOQAUS Headphones Over Ear vs Gvyugke Gaming Headset
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.