Introduction
The CMF Headphone Pro battery life has quickly become its biggest talking point. At a time when most wireless over-ear headphones last around thirty to forty hours, CMF, the sub-brand created by Nothing, promises a staggering 100 hours of playback on a single charge. That figure instantly catches attention, but does it truly hold up in daily use?
This review looks beyond marketing promises to see how the CMF Headphone Pro performs in design, sound quality, comfort, usability and, most importantly, endurance. For anyone who wants a long-lasting pair of Bluetooth headphones without spending hundreds, this could be a game-changer.
Quick Specs Overview
- Drivers: 40 mm dynamic drivers
- Audio codecs: LDAC, AAC and SBC (Hi-Res wireless certified)
- Active Noise Cancellation: Hybrid adaptive ANC rated up to 40 dB
- Battery life: Up to 100 hours (ANC off) / 50 hours (ANC on)
- Charging: USB-C with quick charge (5 minutes = 4 hours playback)
- Battery capacity: 720 mAh
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.4 and 3.5 mm wired option
- Weight: 283 g
- App support: Nothing X companion app
- Launch price: US $99 / £79 / €99
Design and Build Quality
Overall look and feel
The CMF Headphone Pro follows the design language of Nothing’s ecosystem while introducing brighter, more playful colour choices. It comes in Dark Grey, Light Grey and Light Green. Each variant has a smooth matte texture that feels modern and minimalist.
Although the construction is largely plastic, it feels sturdier than expected. The finish resists fingerprints, the hinges feel solid and there’s no creak when adjusting the headband. CMF has clearly taken care with its materials even at this accessible price point.
Comfort and fit
Weighing just under 300 grams, these headphones are comfortable for long sessions. The headband padding is thick, distributing weight evenly across the head. The ear cushions are soft and breathable, avoiding excessive warmth even after several hours.
The main compromise lies in portability. The earcups swivel but do not fold completely flat, making the headphone less compact for travel. However, in daily use this hardly matters because comfort and stability remain excellent.
Controls and user interface
Instead of touch panels, CMF chose physical controls. A rotary dial manages volume, playback and calls. A separate Energy Slider allows you to fine-tune tone between stronger bass and brighter treble. It is simple, intuitive and refreshingly tactile.
Buttons for power, Bluetooth pairing and ANC mode are clearly marked and easy to locate. Every input responds with a firm click, avoiding the accidental mis-taps common on touch-sensitive rivals.
Verdict on design and build
For an entry-level headphone, the CMF Headphone Pro feels remarkably well put together. The lightweight frame, soft padding and excellent physical controls make it comfortable and user-friendly. It may lack metal accents or a folding hinge, but it still looks and feels more expensive than its price suggests.
Performance and Features
Sound quality
Inside each earcup sits a 40 mm dynamic driver tuned for balanced yet lively sound. The headphone supports LDAC, allowing high-resolution wireless audio streaming on compatible Android devices.
The sound signature has a warm tilt with full bass and smooth mids. Vocals are clear and forward, while the treble remains easy on the ears. There’s enough energy for pop, dance and hip-hop tracks without fatigue during long sessions.
The Energy Slider genuinely changes the tonal character. Sliding toward the bass side adds punch for electronic music, while moving upward enhances clarity for acoustic tracks. It is not a substitute for detailed EQ, but it makes a noticeable difference on the move.
Active Noise Cancellation
The CMF Headphone Pro uses a hybrid adaptive ANC system with microphones both inside and outside the earcups. The brand rates noise reduction at up to 40 decibels, which is solid for this price range.
In practice, it blocks steady low-frequency sounds such as engines and air conditioners effectively. Higher frequencies like speech are softened but not entirely removed. The ANC is not at flagship level, yet it performs far above typical budget models.
Transparency mode also works well, letting in outside sound when you need awareness. Switching between modes is near instant through the side button or the Nothing X app.
CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4 ensures a stable, low-latency connection. Pairing is straightforward with both Android and iOS devices. Multipoint pairing allows connection to two devices at once, so you can switch from laptop to phone without reconnecting.
The wired 3.5 mm jack supports passive listening when the battery is low. The USB-C socket is solely for charging; wired listening is supported via the included 3.5 mm cable.
Battery Life – The Key Selling Point
Battery endurance is where the CMF Headphone Pro stands out. The company advertises up to 100 hours of continuous playback with ANC turned off, and around 50 hours with ANC active.
Real-world results
When tested at moderate volume and with standard codecs such as AAC, real-world performance closely approaches these numbers. With ANC off, users easily achieve ninety to ninety-five hours. Enabling ANC drops runtime roughly by half, but fifty hours is still among the longest of any sub-£100 headphone.
Using LDAC slightly reduces endurance since high-resolution transmission consumes more power. Even then, the headphone comfortably provides around forty hours per charge, which is more than adequate for travel and work.
Note that the 100-hour figure is the manufacturer claim measured with ANC off and moderate volume; real-world results approach that when LDAC is not used and listening levels are moderate.
Quick charging and efficiency
The quick-charge system gives approximately four hours of playback from a five-minute charge. A full charge from empty takes about two hours via USB-C. The included cable works with most standard USB-C chargers.
The internal 720 mAh battery holds capacity well. Because you will recharge it less often, the total number of charge cycles across its life should be lower than most competitors. That could translate into longer-term battery health, though the actual lifespan will depend on use habits and environment.
Practical use cases
- At home or in the office: With ANC off, you can listen for over a week on a single charge.
- Travelling: Even with ANC enabled, the headphone easily covers multiple long flights or an entire holiday without recharging.
- Creative work: For producers or content creators who need reliable gear, the long battery and wired backup ensure sessions never stop because of power issues.
Battery verdict
There are very few products anywhere near this price that can legitimately deliver this kind of longevity. The CMF Headphone Pro battery life is the strongest reason to buy it. It redefines what can be expected from an affordable pair of wireless headphones.
User Experience
Everyday use
From the first pairing, the CMF Headphone Pro feels seamless. Bluetooth connects quickly and remains stable. The rotary dial makes volume adjustments smooth and precise. Switching ANC or transparency on and off takes only a second.
The Nothing X app complements these controls. Through the app you can adjust ANC strength, change EQ, personalise the sound and perform firmware updates. The layout is simple, uncluttered and intuitive.
Comfort during long sessions
Because of the soft padding and moderate clamping force, fatigue is minimal even after several hours. The breathable cushions help manage warmth, which can be a problem with cheaper faux-leather earcups. For anyone using them for extended listening, editing or calls, comfort remains excellent.
Travel and portability
Although the design does not fold, the endurance makes it one of the best travel companions in its class. Most users will run out of playlist before the battery dies. The ability to plug in via 3.5 mm means you can continue using them during flights without relying on Bluetooth.
Microphone and call quality
The integrated microphones use noise reduction to minimise background interference during calls. Indoors, voices come through clearly. Outdoors, wind and traffic can still affect clarity slightly, but overall performance is more than adequate for video meetings and voice calls.
Latency for video and gaming
Streaming latency is low enough for film and video watching without noticeable delay. Gaming is acceptable for casual play, though not entirely lag-free. Wired mode eliminates delay completely when precise timing matters.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Exceptional battery life up to 100 hours (ANC off)
- Around 50 hours with ANC on
- Quick charge: 5 minutes for roughly 4 hours playback
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Effective adaptive ANC and transparency modes
- LDAC support for high-resolution audio
- Physical controls including Energy Slider and rotary dial
- Stable Bluetooth 5.4 connection with multipoint
- Wired option for zero-latency listening
- Great value at £79–£80 retail
Cons
- Non-folding design makes storage bulkier
- Plastic construction rather than metal
- Sound tuning emphasises bass over strict neutrality
- Microphone clarity acceptable but not studio-grade
- ANC does not match premium flagship headphones
Latest Pricing
As of November 2025, the CMF Headphone Pro sells for US $99 on Amazon.com and roughly £80 in the United Kingdom. Prices may fluctuate slightly depending on stock and colour. At this figure, it remains one of the strongest value options for anyone seeking long battery life and good noise cancellation on a budget.
Final Verdict
After extended testing, it is clear that the CMF Headphone Pro battery life delivers what it promises. Even if you fall short of the absolute 100-hour maximum, achieving close to ninety hours on one charge is remarkable. Add reliable ANC, comfortable design, and Hi-Res support, and you have a headphone that punches well above its weight.
The CMF Headphone Pro is ideal for travellers, students, commuters and creators who want dependable audio gear that rarely needs charging. It is not a luxury product, yet it performs so consistently that you may forget its modest price.
If what you want most is freedom from constant charging, this is the one to get. It turns endurance into its defining strength and sets a new benchmark for affordable wireless headphones in 2025.
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