CMF Buds 2 vs realme Buds T500 Pro vs UGREEN EchoBuds Plus vs TOZO NC9 vs Soundcore P31i: Budget bliss or bust?

Wireless earbuds5 products

Quick verdict

The 'I don't want to spend a fortune' reality check

If you want the best all-rounder, the Soundcore P31i is the clear winner for its feature set and reliable performance. For pure, no-frills value, the CMF Buds 2 will keep your wallet happy without sounding like a tin can.

Side by side

FeaturePhoto of CMF Buds 2CMF Buds 2Photo of realme Buds T500 Prorealme Buds T500 ProPhoto of UGREEN EchoBuds PlusUGREEN EchoBuds PlusPhoto of TOZO NC9TOZO NC9Photo of Soundcore P31iSoundcore P31i
Price€37.01€39.99€42.99€39.99€30.99
Noise CancellationThe UGREEN model claims the highest decibel reduction, though physics dictates that marketing numbers often outpace reality.48 dB50 dB55 dB (winner)45 dB52 dB
Battery LifeThe TOZO NC9 claims a massive 60-hour total runtime, provided you don't actually use the features you bought them for.55 hours56 hours50 hours60 hours (winner)50 hours

Product by product

CMF Buds 2Best value

Style-conscious minimalists

They look fantastic and provide decent enough sound for the daily commute. Just do not expect audiophile transparency.

What We Liked 👍

  • Very stylish compact case
  • Clean and simple app

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Bass can be overpowering
  • Unstable Bluetooth connection

realme Buds T500 Pro

Multi-device power users

Connecting to three devices is a neat party trick for a budget set. The build quality feels a bit toy-like, though.

What We Liked 👍

  • Three device multipoint connection
  • Impressive Hi-Res audio

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Chassis feels very cheap
  • Tiny case is hard to open

UGREEN EchoBuds Plus

Commuters needing silence

The adaptive noise cancellation is genuinely useful for blocking out office chatter. A surprisingly mature sound profile for the brand.

What We Liked 👍

  • Excellent adaptive ANC performance
  • Balanced, clear audio

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Subtle wind noise background
  • Generic design language

TOZO NC9

Gym goers and travelers

Built like a tank with an IPX8 rating that laughs at rain. The battery life is great, even if the marketing stats are ambitious.

What We Liked 👍

  • Exceptional IPX8 water resistance
  • Long-lasting battery life

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Fragile charging case feel
  • High frequencies lack detail

Soundcore P31iOur pick

General purpose daily drivers

Soundcore knows the budget market well, and this pair is a masterclass in hitting all the right feature checkboxes. Easily the most reliable of the bunch.

What We Liked 👍

  • LDAC support sounds great
  • Very solid app support

What Could Be Better 👎

  • Touch controls can be finicky
  • Translation feature is gimmicky

The spec sheet vs the real world

Every single one of these buds claims to block out the world or provide a concert-hall experience, but spec sheets are where marketing teams go to dream. The UGREEN EchoBuds Plus and Soundcore P31i are the only two here that actually feel like they belong in a modern professional's bag.

When you strip away the claims of 50dB cancellation and AI-everything, you are left with build quality. Here, the TOZO NC9 wins the 'toughness' award, while the CMF Buds 2 win the 'please look at me' award. If you want the tech to just work without a battle, the P31i is the only one that doesn't feel like a beta test.

Why pay more when you can pay less?

In this bracket, you are essentially choosing your poison: do you want the best ANC, the longest battery, or the most gimmicky features like real-time translation? The realme Buds T500 Pro try to do it all, but they feel like they are made of recycled yogurt pots.

The final word from the cynical tech guy

If you want to spend the least amount of money for the highest level of competence, grab the Soundcore P31i. It is the only pair that feels like a finished product rather than a prototype that escaped the factory.

If you are clumsy, the TOZO NC9 will survive your lifestyle. If you want something that looks like it cost triple the price, get the CMF Buds 2 and tell your friends you are a minimalist genius.

Prices on amazon.fr as of October 15, 2026. Prices may change.

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  • wireless earbuds
  • ANC
  • budget tech
  • audio