CMF hit the balance between cheap and good clip earbuds
CMF’s Clip Pro earbuds offer a comparatively affordable and comfortable entry into the clip-style market, according to The Verge’s review. Their open-ear design is aimed at people who dislike in-ear buds, providing strong awareness of surrounding sounds while avoiding pressure in the ear canal, though this naturally limits sound isolation and consistency.
The earbuds launched at $99 but were already discounted to $79, a price the reviewer considers more appropriate against rivals from Bose, Sony and Shokz that can cost about $200. The review awarded them 7/10, praising comfort, decent sound for the category and ambient awareness, while criticising the fiddly three-band equaliser and gimmicky charging-case controls. They support LDAC high-resolution audio and fixed spatial audio, although the reviewer found neither especially valuable for an open-ear design.
- Comfortable clip earbuds with sensible compromises
- $79 is seen as better value than $99
- Sound is good, but not for critical listening
New here? Start with this
Clip-style earbuds sit outside the ear canal rather than sealing inside it. They are designed to feel less intrusive and to let wearers hear traffic, conversation and other surrounding sounds, but they usually offer less bass and less protection from noise than conventional in-ear headphones.
CMF is a budget-focused technology brand linked to Nothing, a consumer electronics company best known for smartphones and audio products. Its Clip Pro model is aimed at people who want this open-ear format without paying the higher prices often charged by established audio brands such as Bose, Sony and Shokz.
The category involves a trade-off between comfort and awareness on one hand, and sound isolation and a more consistent listening experience on the other. Price is therefore important: cheaper models may make the design accessible to more buyers, while still competing with more expensive alternatives on sound features and fit.