CMF Headphone Pro Review: I Did Not Expect Budget Headphones to Be This Good

CMF has built a strong identity around creating colourful, affordable products, and the CMF Headphone Pro reflects that approach clearly. This is the company’s first over-ear headphone, and after using it for a good amount of time, I can say it is not just about looks. It actually delivers where it matters.

The CMF Headphone Pro is priced at Rs 7,999 with a launch price of Rs 6,999. I received the Light Green colour variant, and it instantly stood out. Here is my full experience with the headphones.

Design and Comfort Colourful, Lightweight and Comfortable

The Light Green colour looks refreshing and modern without being loud. The soft touch finish on the earcups and headband adds a premium feel, even though the headphones are mostly made of plastic. Thankfully, the plastic does not feel cheap, and the overall build feels solid.

Comfort is one of the strongest points here. The earcups are well cushioned, and the headband sits comfortably on the head. At just 283 grams, these are very light for over-ear headphones, and I could wear them for hours while working or listening to music without any discomfort.

I also liked the small attention to detail, like clearly marked left and right indicators inside the cushions. One downside is that the headphones do not fold, so they take up more space in a bag.

The modular ear cushions are a standout feature. You can simply twist and remove them, which makes cleaning easy and also adds a layer of practicality that you rarely see at this price.

Controls and Build Practical but Could Be Better

All the controls are physical and feel tactile. On the right earcup, there is a scroll wheel for volume that also serves as a button, along with a multifunction key and a USB Type-C port. The left side houses the power button, energy slider, 3.5 mm audio jack, and LED indicator.

The headphones have an IPX2 rating, which means they can withstand light sweat or small splashes. I feel a higher rating would have made them more versatile, especially for outdoor use, but this is still acceptable for daily usage.

App Experience: Simple and user-friendly

The CMF Headphone Pro works with the Nothing X app available on both Android and iOS. The app is clean and easy to understand. It shows battery percentage, noise cancellation modes, equaliser options and spatial audio settings right on the home screen.

I liked how much control the app offers. I could customise the multifunction button, adjust the scroll wheel behaviour and configure the energy slider for bass or treble. There is also a personalised sound feature which actually makes a noticeable difference based on listening preferences.

That said, the equaliser options are limited. There are five presets, including Pop Rock, Electronic Classical and Enhance Vocals. The custom mode only allows basic adjustments to bass, mids and treble, which may feel restrictive for advanced users.

Pairing was quick and smooth. Holding the power button for a few seconds puts the headphones into pairing mode, and the connection is fast and stable.

Sound Quality and Noise Cancellation, Bass Focused and Enjoyable

The CMF Headphone Pro uses 40 mm drivers and supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC, as well as Hi-Res audio. The sound signature is clearly bass-forward, and I personally enjoyed it.

Bass is punchy and energetic, especially when the energy slider is set. Tracks with heavy low-end sound are immersive without completely overpowering vocals. The soundstage feels wide, and instrument separation is good for the price.

Mids and highs are decent but slightly take a back seat because of the bass. Reducing the bass using the EQ helps bring more balance, especially for vocal-heavy or instrumental tracks.

Active noise cancellation works well in real-world use. There are Low, Mid, High, and Adaptive modes, and the headphones do a good job of reducing constant background noise, such as traffic or aeroplane hum. Combined with good passive isolation, the ANC performance feels reliable for daily use and travel.

Battery Life and Call Quality: Reliable and Long Lasting

Battery life is another strong point. CMF claims up to 50 hours with ANC on, and in my usage, I got around 45 hours, which is impressive. Charging takes about two hours, and a quick five-minute charge provides several hours of playback, which is very convenient.

Call quality is good. The microphones capture voice clearly and manage background noise well, making them suitable for work calls and everyday conversations.