British startup Nothing's answer to Apple AirPods crash below £20 in latest price drop

Taylor Bushey
Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:07:41 +0000

Need a new pair of earbuds? British brand Nothing has a surprisingly affordable fix.

The newest affordable earbuds from British startup Nothing have plummeted to just £19 in the online store. Usually priced at £29, these AirPods competitors offer up to 35.5 hours of battery life with the case, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth connectivity for multiple devices, and more.

The award-winning British brand behind these 'buds and mobile recently launched its latest Android phone, dubbed Nothing Phone (4a) and its new over-ear headphones with 135-hour battery life to compete with the likes of Bose and Sony. If you're looking for something a little more wallet-friendly, you can't go wrong with the CMF Buds 2a from Nothing's affordable sub-brand CMF.

Pocket the CMF Buds 2a from Nothing for under £20

With these budget-friendly earbuds from British startup Nothing, you can expect punchy bass, a bright sound profile, and 42dB adaptive ANC — great for commuting, workouts, or casual listening. While they skip extras like spatial audio and longer battery life found in pricier rivals, they’re a stylish, budget-friendly alternative to models like AirPods or Galaxy Buds.

Designed with the brand’s signature transparent aesthetic, the earbuds are designed to deliver a lively, bass-forward sound that suits everything from podcasts to playlists. With 42dB adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC), they’re well-equipped for daily commutes, study sessions, or blocking out gym noise.

They support Bluetooth connectivity with stable pairing and work seamlessly with the Nothing X app, unlocking custom EQ settings, touch controls, and adjustable ANC modes.

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However, compared to step-up models like the Nothing Ear (2) or Nothing Ear (2 Plus), the 2a makes a few trade-offs.

For instance, you won’t get high-resolution audio streaming found with the Nothing Ear (2) and Nothing Ear (2 Plus).

Battery life clocks in at around 8 hours per charge (up to 35.5 hours with the case), and fast charging gives you quick top-ups on the go. This is shorter than the 55-hour battery life found in the brand's flagship models, and features such as in-ear detection and spatial audio are missing.

Noise cancellation is also slightly less powerful, and while call quality is solid with three mics per bud, you may find that Nothing's higher-end models handle wind noise better.

You also get IP54-rated dust and water resistance, making them practical for gym sessions or rainy UK commutes.