CMF Headphone Pro vs Baseus Inspire XH1

For CMF Headphone Pro vs Baseus Inspire XH1, I’d buy the CMF for most people at October 2026 prices. At $79 on October 22 (it was $59 during the October 9 sale), you get useful noise cancelling, long measured battery life and replaceable cushions. The XH1 makes sense around $100 if you want its carrying case, lighter clamp or more detailed EQ.

That extra money should solve a problem you have. I wouldn’t pay it for the Sound by Bose logo, a bigger advertised ANC number or Bluetooth 6.1 alone. If you’re weighing the XH1 against a real Bose, read Baseus Inspire XH1 vs Bose QuietComfort.

Budget pick

CMF by Nothing Headphone Pro

My value pick for most people

Buy nowTypical price: $59–$79

VS

Budget pick

Baseus Inspire XH1

For a hard case, looser fit and more EQ control

Buy nowTypical price: $100–$150

CMF Headphone Pro vs Baseus XH1 at a glance

The table separates maker claims from measurements. An empty measured-battery entry for the XH1 does not mean it has no battery life; it means the shared data has no comparable lab figure to display.

Price: the CMF is the cheaper decision

Nothing’s US store showed $59 on October 9, 2026, during the sale, and $79 on October 22. The XH1 usually sells for about $100, while Baseus’s own store lists $149.99 with an on-page discount. Check the retailer before buying; those are dated checks, not live prices.

At $79 the difference is about $20, small enough that the XH1’s case or looser fit can earn it. At the $59 sale price I’d keep the roughly $40 difference unless the XH1 fits better or replaces a case purchase. Near $150, the XH1 also faces stronger noise-cancelling alternatives. My XH1 review explains the price ceiling I’d use.

Noise cancelling: don’t compare 48 dB with 81%

The CMF cut about 81% of outside noise on average in SoundGuys testing. Baseus’s up-to-48 dB figure describes a maximum under its own conditions. The units and methods differ, so those numbers cannot tell you which wins.

Hands-on tests disagree about the XH1’s ANC strength. It works well for the price in WIRED’s review, though voices still get through. I’d buy the CMF for affordable everyday quiet and consider the XH1’s other features separately.

For frequent flights, compare a discounted Space Q45 or a stronger upgrade from my main shortlist. Neither a licensed tuning badge nor a peak noise-reduction claim guarantees quieter conversations or engine rumble.

Sound and EQ: fit and settings matter

The CMF offers a simple three-band custom EQ and an Energy Slider. The XH1’s Baseus app gives you eight-band adjustment and its Sound by Bose preset. I’d choose the XH1 if I wanted more control over the tuning, rather than assuming its smaller drivers sound worse.

An owner who compared both preferred the XH1’s separation but the CMF’s bass. Other owners prefer the XH1 overall. Those are listening judgments, not a shared measurement, and fit changes bass too.

Played side by side with the same songs, both keep vocals clear and well balanced. The XH1 has the wider soundstage and crisper mids and highs, so background vocals and saxophone sound more spacious. The CMF plays louder at the same volume setting and keeps its low bass more consistent. On the XH1, the deepest notes fade at a normal listening level and only fill in when you turn it up. If you listen at low volume and like bass, the CMF is the safer pick. If you like detail and air, the XH1 fits better.

Video

Leave special sound modes off while comparing music. The XH1’s Dolby Audio modes replace custom EQ, so a switch in processing can make an apparent headphone difference larger than it is. Its full app and compatibility section covers the other feature tradeoffs.

Comfort, packing and replacement cushions

The XH1 weighs 275 g and the CMF 283 g. An 8 g difference is small; headband shape and pad space matter more. The CMF can feel restrictive around larger ears, while the XH1’s light clamp can slip when you move or lean back.

The XH1 includes a carrying case and folds at the arms. Its case still stores it unfolded. The CMF cups turn flat but don’t fold inward, and the box supplies a cloth pouch.

Nothing sells twist-off replacement cushions for the CMF. That is useful for worn pads, though a replacement pad’s availability and fit matter more than color options. The CMF’s IPX2 splash rating also provides only limited protection; I’d choose a sports pair for sweaty workouts.

Battery, calls and wired listening

The CMF ran 43 hours 9 minutes with ANC on in SoundGuys testing. Its maker claims 50 hours with ANC over AAC. Baseus claims 65 hours with ANC, but I wouldn’t turn that claim into a measured 22-hour lead. Volume, codec and test conditions all affect runtime.

Both support AAC for iPhone and LDAC for a compatible Android source. The XH1 also has demonstrated LDAC with two devices connected. My multipoint guide explains why listing both features alone does not prove simultaneous operation.

For calls, the CMF is usable in quieter conditions. The XH1’s mic sounds good in a quiet room in WIRED’s test, but it gets worse with background noise. I’d listen to the linked mic samples before buying either primarily for a noisy office.

The CMF needs power even with its 3.5 mm cable connected. The XH1 can play passively with its battery dead, but the sound gets thinner and noise cancelling needs power. USB-C charging sockets do not make these USB audio headphones.

Which pair I’d buy

Buy the CMF at $79, or $59 if the sale comes back, if both fit and you don’t need the XH1’s extras. Buy the XH1 around $100 when its case, fit or app control earns the difference. If the XH1 costs $150, revisit the budget shortlist before paying.

Written by Marius

Audio enthusiast. I've worn a lot of headphones, and I tell you which pair is worth your money and which one isn't.

I check every verdict against lab measurements and long-term owner feedback, and I update pages when prices or models change. How I judge headphones.