CMF Clip Pro Review 2026: Should You Buy $99 Open-Ear Earbuds or Spend More?
The CMF by Nothing Clip Pro shipped today — August 15, 2026 — and the first wave of full reviews is in from Gizmodo, TechRadar, Pocket Tactics, and Creative Bloq. At $99 (pre-order price $79.99 while it lasts), these are the cheapest open-ear earbuds from a recognizable brand. But do they hold up against the Shokz OpenFit 2 at $180 and the Bose Ultra Open at $299? We dug into every review to help you decide whether to save or spend more.
Best For
Budget buyers who want open-ear earbuds for running, cycling, or office use without spending $180+.
Skip If
Sound quality is your top priority or you need reliable multi-device Bluetooth switching.
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Read our CMF Clip Pro vs Shokz OpenFit 2 head-to-head.
What Do Reviewers Actually Think of the CMF Clip Pro?
The consensus is cautiously positive. Gizmodo called the Clip Pro "an affordable challenger" that "offers more than you'd think for $99." TechRadar praised the absence of Nothing's controversial in-call recording feature found on its flagship earbuds. Pocket Tactics was less enthusiastic, calling it "a bold idea that won't suit everyone." Wallpaper praised the "clean and delightfully unfussy" minimalist design.
The picture that emerges: the Clip Pro nails value, battery life, and controls, but stumbles on connectivity and doesn't match pricier competitors on pure sound quality. That's a fair trade at half the price.
What Works Best on the CMF Clip Pro?
Battery life is the standout. CMF claims 10 hours per earbud and 32.5 hours with the case. Multiple reviewers confirmed the 10-hour figure holds up in real use — that's 2 hours longer than the Shokz OpenFit 2 and enough for two full workdays without charging. The case adds roughly 2.5 additional full charges.
The Smart Dial remains CMF's secret weapon. A physical dial on the charging case that controls volume, skip/pause, and call management. It sounds gimmicky until you use it — reviewers consistently called it the most intuitive physical control on any earbuds at any price. No touch-sensitive surface to accidentally trigger, no learning curve.
Comfort is good for most people. The 3-point clip design distributes pressure across three contact points on the ear rather than clamping in one spot. Reviewers who ran with them reported a secure fit. The lightweight build means most people can wear them for 3–4 hours before noticing fatigue.
Where Does the CMF Clip Pro Fall Short?
Bluetooth connectivity is the biggest issue. Multiple reviewers reported inconsistent pairing, occasional audio dropouts, and clunky multi-device switching. This is a first-generation product problem that CMF may fix in firmware updates, but today it's a genuine friction point — especially if you switch between a phone and laptop frequently.
Sound quality is adequate, not impressive. The 10.8mm drivers with Bass Enhancement produce clear mids and highs, and vocals sit forward in the mix. But bass remains thin compared to sealed earbuds (expected for open-ear) and doesn't match what the Shokz OpenFit 2 extracts from a similar form factor. In noisy environments — a busy gym, street traffic — the low end disappears almost entirely.
The form factor is polarizing. Some reviewers found the clip invisible and comfortable; others said it pinched after two hours or looked like a vape pen (Gizmodo's words, not ours). This is deeply personal — if you can try before buying, you should.
How Do CMF Clip Pro Compare to Shokz OpenFit 2 and Bose Ultra Open?
All three are open-ear earbuds designed to let you hear your surroundings. Here's how they stack up:
- CMF Clip Pro ($99): Best value, longest battery (10hr), Smart Dial controls. Weakest on sound quality and Bluetooth reliability.
- Shokz OpenFit 2 ($136 on Amazon): Better sound, more reliable connectivity, proven brand in open-ear. No physical controls, shorter 8hr battery.
- Bose Ultra Open ($299): Best sound quality by a wide margin, Bose Immersive Audio, premium build. Nearly 3x the price of the Clip Pro.
For a deeper spec-by-spec breakdown, read our CMF Clip Pro vs Shokz OpenFit 2 comparison.
Should You Buy the CMF Clip Pro or Spend More?
Buy the CMF Clip Pro ($99) if: You want open-ear earbuds for running, cycling, or office calls and don't want to spend $180+. The battery life and Smart Dial make it genuinely useful, and the $99 price means you're not risking much if the form factor doesn't click for you.
Spend more on the Shokz OpenFit 2 ($136–$180) if: Sound quality and Bluetooth reliability matter more than saving $40–$80. The OpenFit 2 is the safer choice for daily drivers who need earbuds that just work.
Splurge on Bose Ultra Open ($299) if: You want the best-sounding open-ear earbuds available and don't mind paying 3x more. The audio quality gap is significant enough to justify the premium for music-first listeners.
Skip open-ear entirely if: You mainly listen in quiet environments or want noise cancellation. Sealed earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 at $199 or Sony WF-1000XM6 at $249 deliver vastly better sound isolation and bass. Browse all wireless earbuds or check our best noise-cancelling earbuds guide.
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CMF Clip Pro FAQ
Common questions about CMF by Nothing's open-ear earbuds
Quick answers on sound quality, battery, comfort, and how the Clip Pro compares to Shokz and Bose alternatives.
Are the CMF Clip Pro worth $99?
For budget-conscious buyers who want open-ear earbuds, yes. Reviewers praise the 10-hour battery, Smart Dial controls, and comfortable fit. However, sound quality doesn't match the Shokz OpenFit 2 ($180) or Bose Ultra Open ($299), and some reviewers flagged Bluetooth connectivity issues. If sound quality is your priority, spending more is worth it.
How do CMF Clip Pro compare to Shokz OpenFit 2?
The Shokz OpenFit 2 ($180) delivers better sound quality, more reliable connectivity, and a proven track record. The CMF Clip Pro ($99) offers longer battery life (10 hours vs 8 hours), the unique Smart Dial control, and a price that's nearly half. If you're on a budget and can tolerate occasional Bluetooth quirks, the CMF wins on value. If you want the most polished open-ear experience, the Shokz is the safer choice.
Can you run with CMF Clip Pro earbuds?
Yes. The 3-point clip design stays secure during running, and the open-ear format lets you hear traffic and ambient sounds — critical for outdoor safety. Multiple reviewers tested them on runs and reported a secure fit. However, bass drops off significantly in windy conditions, which is a limitation of all open-ear earbuds.
Do CMF Clip Pro have noise cancellation?
No. Open-ear earbuds by design sit outside the ear canal and don't seal it, so they can't block external noise. This is intentional — the point of open-ear earbuds is to hear your surroundings while listening to audio. If you need ANC, look at sealed earbuds like the AirPods Pro 3 or Sony WF-1000XM6.
What is the CMF Clip Pro Smart Dial?
The Smart Dial is a physical dial built into the charging case that controls volume, playback (skip/pause), and phone calls. It's a CMF/Nothing signature feature that no other open-ear earbud offers at any price. Reviewers consistently highlight it as the Clip Pro's most distinctive and useful feature.