What to know first
- Rated up to 100 hours of playback with ANC off, 50 hours with ANC on, from a 720mAh battery
- Hybrid adaptive ANC claimed up to 40dB, with real-world isolation described as solid but not class-leading
- Supports SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs with Hi-Res Audio certification
- Physical roller, Energy Slider, and customizable button replace touch-sensitive panels
- Swappable ear cushions let you refresh the look or replace worn pads without buying new headphones
- Build quality and headband comfort are the clearest reported weak points
CMF's first swing at a full-size headphone
Nothing's sub-brand made its name stretching a small budget across features that usually show up on pricier earbuds, and the Headphone Pro is that same formula scaled up to an over-ear shape.
The pitch is straightforward: hybrid adaptive ANC, LDAC support with Hi-Res Audio certification, a claimed 100 hours of battery life, and physical controls instead of touch panels, all at a price that undercuts the big-name over-ears by a wide margin. It comes in Light Green, Dark Grey, and Light Grey, with swappable ear cushions sold separately so you can refresh the color or replace worn pads.
It isn't trying to out-build a premium pair from Sony or Bose. It's trying to make you forget about charging, give you controls you can operate by feel, and hand you a wireless codec (LDAC) that's usually reserved for pricier headphones.
The battery number that actually holds up
Most wireless headphones quote a battery figure that only survives under ideal conditions. The Headphone Pro's numbers have held up well enough in independent use to earn it one of the strongest battery ratings in its price range: up to 100 hours with ANC off, dropping to a still-substantial 50 hours with ANC on, both measured at 50% volume in AAC mode. A five-minute USB-C top-up is said to buy up to eight hours of listening with ANC off, and a full charge takes under two hours.
LDAC support is the other detail worth flagging. Whether you notice the difference depends on your phone, your streaming service, and your ears, but having the option at all is unusual at this price.
The control layout deserves credit too. Instead of a touch panel that mishears every gesture, CMF gave the Headphone Pro a roller for volume and playback, an Energy Slider for bass or tretreble emphasis, and a customizable button for launching a voice assistant. Independent hands-on impressions describe the roller as easy to find and operate by touch, even if the smaller buttons nearby are less forgiving.
The 40mm nickel-plated drivers and 40dB-rated hybrid ANC put it in the same conversation as headphones costing two or three times as much on paper, even if real-world isolation evaluation rates it as solid rather than exceptional, particularly against sudden noise or nearby conversation.
Living with the controls, the cushions, and the case
Setup runs through the Nothing X app, which handles equalizer adjustments, Find My Headphones, low-lag mode, and firmware updates. The app also unlocks a Personal Sound feature that tailors audio output to your hearing profile, a nice touch on a budget headphone. Pairing works with Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, and the Headphone Pro supports two-device multipoint connections so you can hop between a laptop and phone without re-pairing.
The swappable ear cushions are the most distinctive ownership feature. CMF sells replacement pairs separately, so when the stock cushions wear out (as foam cushions eventually do) you can pop in fresh ones instead of retiring the whole headphone. It's a smart idea in theory, though independent hands-on evaluation flagged a real annoyance: it's possible to screw the wrong cushion onto the wrong side, or attach one upside down, and get a poor seal as a result. A keyed attachment system would have prevented that mismatch entirely.
Day to day, the small buttons clustered around each earcup are the recurring complaint. The roller is easy to find by touch, but the power button, assistant button, and Energy Slider are described as too small and too close together to locate reliably without looking. The headphones rotate flat for storage and travel with a basic cloth pouch, but they don't fold, so they take up more bag space than folding competitors at a similar price.
Where the plastic shows
Build quality is the honest trade-off here, and it's worth taking seriously if comfort and durability matter more to you than spec-sheet bragging rights. The all-plastic shell is light but has enough flex and creak in hand to raise questions about long-term durability, and the headband lacks the padding needed for multi-hour sessions without discomfort setting in.
The IPX2 rating is another detail to plan around. That's a light splash and drip resistance rating, not anything close to sweatproof or waterproof, so these aren't the headphones to wear through a heavy workout or a rainy commute without a case.
The Energy Slider, CMF's marquee control feature, has been described in independent use as more gimmick than genuine EQ tool: it nudges bass or treble but doesn't offer the kind of granular sound shaping that serious listeners might want. If detailed audio customization is the reason you're shopping in this category, the Headphone Pro's controls will feel more like a novelty than a feature you use daily.
The specs that matter
A five-minute charge is claimed to add up to eight hours of listening, so you can largely skip daily charging routines even with heavy use.
Handles steady background noise like engine hum or office HVAC well; published measurements rates isolation as solid rather than class-leading, so don't expect it to erase nearby conversation.
LDAC support at this price is unusual and benefits listeners on LDAC-compatible Android phones streaming higher-resolution audio.
Tactile controls avoid the misfires common with touch panels, though the smaller buttons are reportedly hard to locate by feel.
Lightweight for all-day wear, but independent hands-on impressions describe noticeable flex and creak that raise durability questions.
Covers light splashes or drips only, not sweat-heavy workouts or rain exposure.
Lets you replace worn cushions or change the look without buying new headphones, though mismatched attachment is possible if you're not careful.
Who this product fits
The frequent flyer who forgets to charge things
With a battery rated for up to 50 hours even with ANC running, the Headphone Pro can realistically cover a long international trip and the week after without needing a charger, something few headphones at this price can claim.
The office worker who hates touch controls
The roller and Energy Slider let you adjust volume, switch ANC modes, and tweak bass without looking at your phone or fumbling a touch panel, useful for anyone taking calls or switching tracks mid-meeting.
The audiophile-adjacent listener on a budget
The buyer who wants headphones to survive years of use
This is the scenario where the Headphone Pro asks for patience. The plastic build's flex and creak, plus the non-folding design, mean this isn't the pick for someone expecting years of daily heavy use without any wear showing.
What else to compare
A few other paths are worth weighing depending on what you're willing to trade for the price.
CMF by Nothing CMF Headphone Pro FAQ
For the battery life, ANC, and LDAC support alone, it's a strong value at that price. The trade-off is build quality: the plastic shell feels less substantial than pricier over-ears, so it's a better fit for buyers prioritizing features over premium materials.
How long does the battery actually last?
CMF rates it at up to 100 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on, both at 50% volume in AAC mode. Switching to LDAC with ANC on brings that down to around 38 hours, still long by most standards.
Does the ANC work well?
It's rated up to 40dB of noise reduction and independent use describes it as solid for steady background noise like traffic or office hum. It's not the strongest ANC available and won't cancel sudden sounds or nearby voices as effectively.
Can I replace the ear cushions if they wear out?
Yes. CMF sells replacement cushions separately in additional colors, so you can swap them out instead of replacing the whole headphone. Be careful to match left and right correctly, since the attachment isn't keyed to prevent mismatches.
Are these headphones comfortable for long listening sessions?
Comfort is a mixed point. The earcups create a good seal, but the headband's padding is described as insufficient for some wearers over multi-hour sessions, so comfort will vary by head shape and how long you typically wear headphones at a stretch.
Is the CMF Headphone Pro water resistant?
It carries an IPX2 rating, which covers light splashes or drips, not sweat-heavy workouts, rain, or submersion.
Should you buy the CMF Headphone Pro?
Judged purely on features per dollar, the Headphone Pro is one of the stronger deals in wireless over-ears right now.
The catch is everything you feel rather than read. The plastic build creaks, the headband comfort is inconsistent, and the small buttons take getting used to. If you can live with a headphone that feels more like a clever budget gadget than a polished flagship, the Headphone Pro earns its keep. If build quality and all-day comfort are non-negotiable, put your money toward a pricier pair instead.