CMF, the budget-friendly offshoot of Carl Pei’s tech brand Nothing, just released its first pair of over-ear headphones: the CMF Headphone Pro. And while the name might sound like something you'd expect to cost hundreds, these headphones launch at just $99 in the U.S., offering a mix of long battery life, customizable controls, and personalized sound features that might catch the attention of anyone shopping for their next pair of wireless cans.

They’re already available in the UK and EU as of September 29th, and they’ll hit U.S. stores on October 7, 2025, but you can pre-order them today at Amazon. With a clean, rounded design and a few unique touches, the Headphone Pro seems built for people who want something practical but still a little playful.

Unlike the boxy design of Nothing’s original over-ears, the Headphone Pro plays it safer—with rounded earcups, a cushioned headband, and an overall softer aesthetic. You get to choose from Dark Grey, Light Grey, or Light Green, but if you want to switch things up later, CMF is also selling replacement ear cushions in brighter colors like Orange and Light Green for $25 a pair.

The modular design isn’t just a gimmick—it lets you personalize the look and easily replace worn-out pads over time, which could come in handy for long-term use.

One of the most noticeable things about the Headphone Pro is that everything is physical. No swiping gestures or tap-based commands here. Instead, CMF has built in a few simple controls:

• A roller dial for volume, playback, and switching between noise control modes.
• A customizable button (just called “Button”) that you can set up using the Nothing X app—maybe for summoning your voice assistant or toggling Spatial Audio.
• And the standout feature: the Energy Slider, which lets you manually tweak the sound balance between bass and treble depending on what you’re listening to—no need to dive into menus or EQ settings.

It’s a refreshing approach, especially for people who prefer buttons they can actually feel and control without looking.

The CMF Headphone Pro comes with Hybrid Adaptive ANC, which means it listens to your surroundings and automatically adjusts how much noise it tries to cancel. According to CMF, it can reduce ambient noise by up to 40dB, whether you’re working in a coffee shop or commuting on the subway.

There are also a couple of Spatial Audio modes built in:

• Cinema Mode is meant to open up the soundstage so movies and TV shows feel more immersive.
• Concert Mode is geared toward music and live recordings, adding some extra energy and space to the mix.

CMF is also including a feature you don’t often see at this price: Audiodo Personal Sound. It analyzes how you hear in each ear and builds a custom sound profile just for you. It’s a small detail, but for people who notice differences in hearing sensitivity—or just want a more dialed-in sound—it could be a useful option.

Inside, you’ll find 40mm dynamic drivers built with nickel-plated diaphragms, a 16.5mm copper voice coil, and a dual-chamber system designed to keep distortion down and give you a mix of strong bass and clear highs. The headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified, both wired and wireless, and they support LDAC for high-bitrate Bluetooth playback (up to 990 kbps), if your device is compatible.

That means if you're using a newer Android phone or a hi-res music app, you should be able to get better-than-usual Bluetooth audio quality—assuming your tracks are up to par.

Battery life is where the Headphone Pro might surprise people the most. With ANC off, CMF says you’ll get up to 100 hours of playback. Even with ANC on, you can still expect up to 50 hours—which is more than most flagship headphones currently offer.

And if you forget to charge before heading out, a quick 5-minute charge gives you about 4 hours of listening time. A full charge via USB-C takes around 2 hours, and if you’re ever in a pinch, you can even top them up using your smartphone via a USB-C to USB-C cable.

The CMF Headphone Pro costs $99 in the U.S., £79 in the UK, and €99 in the EU. Interchangeable cushions will be available at launch for $25 / £19 / €25, giving you the option to customize or replace them down the road.

• EU/UK Launch: September 29, 2025
• U.S. Launch: October 7, 2025 (available for pre-order at Amazon)

CMF’s first over-ear headphone focuses on the basics: real buttons, strong battery life, and features like personal sound tuning and customizable audio controls—all wrapped in a clean, comfortable design. At under $100, it’s not trying to compete with $400 flagships. It’s more like a well-thought-out alternative for people who want good sound and useful features without spending a fortune.