Nothing’s budget sub-brand CMF has unveiled the Clip Pro, its first open-ear earbuds, priced at £79. This launch directly addresses two persistent issues in the open-ear category: sound leakage and ear fatigue.
Open-ear earbuds sit outside the ear canal, allowing you to hear your surroundings while enjoying music or taking calls. Imagine them as tiny speakers attached to your ears rather than earplugs inserted into them. This format has surged in popularity lately, with brands like Bose, Samsung, and Sony releasing their own versions. Now, Nothing is stepping in with an affordable option that aims to tackle the common complaints of this category.
What Makes the CMF Clip Pro Different
The main engineering challenge with open-ear audio is physics. If your music isn’t sealed inside your ear canal, sound escapes into the surrounding space, bothering anyone nearby. CMF claims to have addressed this with a custom bass technology and an app-controlled sound seal system. This lets you adjust how much audio leaks out based on your environment.
The earbuds also feature a 3-point clip design that anchors them to your ear at three different points. This approach is different from the typical single hook or ear fin used by most competitors. The idea is simple: more contact points lead to a more secure fit, which keeps the driver (the tiny speaker inside) in a consistent position relative to your ear. That consistency is crucial for sound quality and comfort during long listening sessions.
Ear fatigue — that annoying ache you get after wearing in-ear earbuds for hours — is a common issue with traditional earphones since they create pressure inside the ear canal. Open-ear designs should eliminate that pressure, but poorly fitted ones can cause discomfort by pressing awkwardly on the outer ear. CMF believes its three-point clip design will keep the buds stable without adding pressure.
The Open-Ear Moment
The timing of this launch is intentional. Open-ear audio is truly having a breakout year. Consumers on long calls, commuters needing to stay aware, and fitness enthusiasts wanting music without losing track of traffic have all increased demand for earbuds that don’t block out the world.
One major drawback of this category has always been audio quality. You can’t match the bass response or noise isolation of a sealed in-ear design when sound can escape in all directions. Premium options from Bose and Sony come close but often cost two to three times more than CMF’s price. At £79, the Clip Pro serves as an accessible entry point for those curious about this format without wanting to spend £200 to try it out.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | £79 |
| Brand | CMF by Nothing |
| Clip design | 3-point structure |
| Category | Open-ear earbuds |
| Sound control | App-controlled sound seal system |
| CMF open-ear earbuds launched previously | 0 (first in category for CMF) |
What This Means for You
If you’ve ever missed a podcast episode because you didn’t hear your bus stop or had a colleague tap you on the shoulder multiple times before you noticed, open-ear earbuds are the practical answer. The CMF Clip Pro makes that solution budget-friendly.
The app-controlled sound seal is the standout feature here. This could let you switch from a “commute mode,” which allows more ambient sound in, to a “focus mode” that enhances audio projection when you need better sound quality at your desk. Whether it works as promised will become clear once reviewers get some hands-on time with the earbuds.
At £79, this price point makes it tempting for anyone already in the Nothing ecosystem, like users of the CMF Phone 1 or CMF Watch Pro. The companion app controlling the sound seal system will likely integrate with Nothing’s existing software, giving current users a reason to stick with the brand.
Community Reaction
“Finally a budget open-ear option that isn’t just a cheap hook clip with a speaker glued on. The 3-point clip actually looks like it was designed by someone who’s worn earbuds before.”
“I’ve been daily driving the Bose Ultra Open for months and they’re great but £280 is hard to justify. If these Clip Pros actually reduce leakage, I’m switching immediately.”
What To Watch
- Independent reviews: Early hands-on feedback from Android Authority and The Verge will provide insights on whether the sound seal system reduces leakage compared to other options at the same price.
- Wider availability: The confirmed £79 UK price is a start. Keep an eye out for US and European pricing announcements, which CMF usually follows within weeks of UK launches.
- App updates: Nothing has been steadily enhancing the CMF companion app. Whether the Clip Pro’s sound seal controls add valuable new features could impact long-term appeal for existing CMF users.
- Competitor response: With Samsung, Sony, and Bose all active in this space, a credible £79 option could influence mid-range open-ear pricing as we head into the holiday season.
Sources: Android Authority — Nothing launches CMF Clip Pro | The Verge — Nothing CMF’s first open earbuds
Ava Mitchell
Ava Mitchell is a digital culture journalist at Explosion.com covering social media platforms, streaming services, and the creator economy. With 4 years reporting on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and the apps that shape daily life, Ava specializes in explaining platform policy changes and their impact on everyday users. She previously managed social media strategy for a tech startup, giving her firsthand experience with the platforms she now covers.
