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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-04 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Philips Audio Performance TAPH805BK — biggest strength: built-in Google Assistant with a mic that uses echo cancellation, so voice commands and calls stay clear, plus a 15-minute quick charge that yields 6 hours of play.
• Philips Audio Performance TAPH805BK — biggest trade-off: older Bluetooth 5.0 and a shorter battery figure (about 27.5 hours average, with a 2-hour full charge), so it trails the CMF on endurance and codec modernity.
• CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active — biggest strength: up to 50 hours with ANC on (and a quoted 100 hours total), 40 dB adaptive noise cancellation, Hi-Res LDAC, spatial audio and a Bass & Treble slider with custom EQ.
• CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active — biggest trade-off: a heavier 283 g build and a spec sheet whose headline features lean on app control, so you get the most out of it only if you're willing to use the Nothing X app.
• Pick the Philips if you mainly want hands-free Assistant control, a light plastic frame and a wired USB audio path.
• Pick the CMF if you want the longest ANC listening sessions, the newest Bluetooth standard and deeper sound tuning.
The Philips TAPH805BK is an over-ear, active noise cancelling Bluetooth 5.0 headphone built around convenience. The headline feature is Google Assistant: you manage things on the move with voice, and the built-in mic uses echo cancellation so calls and commands come through clearly. If your daily routine involves talking to your phone while your hands are busy, that's the point of this model.
Comfort is framed as "perfectly tuned," and the low item weight (listed at 0.04 kg for the unit detail) plus the rounded earcups suggest a light, everyday wear rather than a heavy studio clamp. Controls are touch-based with a remote, and the headphone jack is USB rather than 3.5 mm — worth knowing if you own a wired 3.5 mm cable you want to reuse.
Who should buy it: Android users who lean on Assistant, commuters who want a quick top-up before leaving the house, and anyone who prefers a lighter, simpler pair without app dependency. Who should skip it: listeners who want the longest possible ANC sessions, the newest Bluetooth version, or Hi-Res codec support — those buyers should look at the CMF.
CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active: Who It's For
The CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro is the more feature-dense of the two. It runs Bluetooth 5.4, supports LDAC and dual Hi-Res certification, and uses custom 40 mm dynamic drivers with a nickel-plated design. Frequency range is 20 Hz–40,000 Hz. If high-resolution wireless audio matters to you, this is the one that advertises it.
Noise cancellation is quoted at up to 40 dB adaptive ANC, with a one-press Transparency Mode toggle when you need to hear the world. Battery is the standout: up to 50 hours with ANC on, and up to 100 hours total playback per the description. A 5-minute plug-in yields 4 hours of listening, and it supports on-the-go charging straight from a phone or laptop.
Sound shaping is a big part of the pitch. There's a Bass & Treble slider, custom EQ, a Personal Sound Profile, and CMF Spatial Audio with Cinema and Concert modes for wider, deeper staging. All of that lives in the Nothing X app, and the control scheme reflects it: app control, touch, buttons, plus Google Assistant and Siri.
Comfort and build: memory foam earpads, faux leather and plastic enclosure, a cap-friendly headband, and a 283 g weight. It ships with a cable, protective case and user manual. Connectivity is broader too — Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, and a 3.5 mm AUX jack, plus Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair for quick setup on Android, iOS, macOS and Windows.
Who should buy it: long-haul travelers, movie and music listeners who want spatial modes and EQ, and anyone who wants the newest Bluetooth and a wired 3.5 mm fallback. Who should skip it: people who want the lightest possible pair or who don't want to manage settings through an app.
• Best for battery life → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active (up to 50 hours ANC-on, 100 hours total).
• Best for a quick emergency top-up → Philips Audio Performance TAPH805BK (15 minutes for 6 hours) versus the CMF's 5 minutes for 4 hours — both strong, different math.
• Best for modern Bluetooth and Hi-Res audio → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active (Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC, Hi-Res certified).
• Best for voice-assistant-first use → Philips Audio Performance TAPH805BK (Google Assistant with echo-cancelling mic).
• Best for sound customization → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active (Bass & Treble slider, custom EQ, spatial audio, Personal Sound Profile).
• Best for wired flexibility → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active (3.5 mm AUX jack) versus the Philips' USB-only jack.
• Best for a lighter, app-free experience → Philips Audio Performance TAPH805BK (lighter listed weight, touch-and-remote control, no app needed).
• Best for noise cancellation depth → CMF BY NOTHING Headphone Pro Active (up to 40 dB adaptive ANC with Transparency Mode).
In my opinion, the CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro is the stronger pick for most buyers in 2026. The combination of Bluetooth 5.4, LDAC and Hi-Res support, up to 50 hours of ANC-on playtime, 40 dB adaptive cancellation, spatial audio and app-based EQ simply covers more ground for the same job. The Philips TAPH805BK still has a real case: if Google Assistant is your primary interaction and you want a lighter, simpler pair with a genuinely fast quick charge, I'd point you there. If you're unsure on cost, check the current price on Amazon before deciding — the value math changes with whatever each is going for today.
On paper, yes. The CMF quotes up to 40 dB of adaptive ANC plus a Transparency Mode, while the Philips lists Active Noise Cancellation without a quoted depth figure. If blocking noise is your priority, the CMF's spec is the more explicit one.
The CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro. It's rated up to 50 hours with ANC on and up to 100 hours total, against roughly 27.5 hours average for the Philips. The Philips does charge faster in a short window — 15 minutes for 6 hours — but the CMF wins on total runtime.
No. Its listed headphone jack is USB, and it connects over Bluetooth 5.0. The CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro lists a 3.5 mm jack alongside Bluetooth 5.4 and LDAC, so it's the more flexible option if you want a wired fallback.
Both are over-ear designs with adult sizing. The Philips uses a rounded earcup shape and a plastic build often associated with lighter wear, while the CMF uses memory foam earpads and a cap-friendly headband but weighs more at 283 g. Comfort is personal — the lighter option may suit longer sessions better for some, the foam cushions for others.
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