With the Clip Pro, CMF is launching the brand’s first open-ear headphones, and at 79.95 euros, the price is significantly lower than that of competing Clip models. The earbuds feature a 10.8-mm driver with LDAC support, the battery lasts 10 hours per charge, and the charging case includes a rotatable Smart Dial. Sales in Germany and Austria will begin on September 1, 2026, and pre-orders are open now.
With this launch, the Nothing subsidiary is entering a category that has grown significantly over the past two years. Until now, CMF was primarily known for affordable in-ear headphones and smartwatches.
Key Points at a Glance
- Price: 79.95 euros
- Launch date: September 1, 2026; pre-orders available now
- Colors: Dark Gray, Light Gray, Coral
- Tech specs: 10.8-mm driver, LDAC, Bluetooth 5.4, IP54
- Battery life: 10 hours per charge, 32.5 hours with case
Titanium wire instead of headbands: the clip design of the CMF Clip Pro
In practice, open-ear headphones rarely fail because of sound quality, but rather because of fit. If they’re too loose, they slip while jogging. If they’re too tight, the ear cups start to press after two hours. CMF therefore relies on a so-called 3-point clip design: A flexible titanium wire with a diameter of 0.5 millimeters forms the C-shaped bridge between the driver unit and the counterweight, distributing the pressure across three contact points instead of just one.
According to a German press release, the weight is 5.9 grams per earbud. International documentation lists 6.5 grams; CMF has not yet clarified the discrepancy. In both cases, the Clip Pro is on par with the Huawei FreeClip 2 S, which sat just as unobtrusively on the ear in our test at just over five grams.
Controls are handled via touch panels on the earbuds, which, according to CMF, respond even when wearing gloves. Winter sports enthusiasts are sure to appreciate this. An IP54 rating provides protection against dust and splashes; this is sufficient for rain and sweat, but not for the swimming pool.
Smart Dial: The Charging Case Becomes a Remote Control
The most striking feature isn’t in the earbuds themselves, but in the case. CMF has incorporated a rotating wheel—the Smart Dial—that lets you control volume, playback, and calls without taking your smartphone out of your pocket. The button assignments can be customized in the Nothing X app.
The concept is familiar from the CMF smartwatch series; what’s new is its adaptation for a headphone case. Whether this is more than just a nice gimmick in everyday use remains to be seen: If you already have your hand in your pocket, you can usually just reach for your phone directly.
Sound: 10.8-mm driver, LDAC, and a trick to combat thin bass
The Clip Pro features a dynamic 10.8-millimeter driver with a dual magnet. Audio is transmitted via Bluetooth 5.4; in addition to SBC and AAC, LDAC is also supported, and the earbuds carry Hi-Res Audio certification. For an 80-euro open-ear model, that’s quite an impressive claim—Sennheiser charges 179.90 euros for the Accentum Clip, which has a comparable feature set.
Nevertheless, the structural problem with open-ear headphones remains: Without a seal in the ear canal, there’s no counterpressure, and the bass fizzles out. CMF calls its solution “Ultra Bass Technology.” Added to this is a Sound Seal System designed to reduce sound leakage outward. So, in a busy open-plan office, the person sitting next to you will ideally hear less of the audio. Both claims are manufacturer promises; no one has measured them yet.
For videos and games, there’s a mode with reduced latency. Phone calls are handled by four microphones—two on each side—combined with voice processing that CMF calls Clear Voice Technology.
Battery life: 10 hours on a single charge
CMF specifies 10 hours of playback per charge; with the charging case, that adds up to a total of 32.5 hours. In power-saving mode, it’s supposed to last up to 36 hours. Ten minutes of charging via the cable provides about four additional hours of music.
That’s a solid figure for this category. Open-back headphones don’t have room for large batteries, so many models offer six to eight hours of playtime.
Technical Specifications of the CMF Clip Pro
| Feature | CMF Clip Pro |
|---|---|
| Design | Open-ear, 3-point clip with titanium wire C-bridge |
| Driver | 10.8 mm, dynamic, dual-magnet |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC (Hi-Res Audio certified) |
| Bluetooth | 5.4, multipoint for two devices |
| Microphones | 4 (2 per earbud), Clear Voice Technology |
| Earbud Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Total battery life | 32.5 hours (36 hours in power-saving mode) |
| Fast charging | 10 minutes for approx. 4 hours |
| Protection rating | IP54 |
| Weight | Approx. 5.9 g per earbud |
| Operation | Touch controls on the earbuds, Smart Dial on the case |
| Extras | Ultra Bass Technology, Sound Seal System, Low-Latency Mode, Google Fast Pair, Microsoft Swift Pair |
| App | Nothing X |
| Colors | Dark Gray, Light Gray, Coral |
| Price | 79.95 euros (DE/AT), 69 CHF |
Price and Availability
The CMF Clip Pro costs 79.95 euros in Germany and Austria. The manufacturer is now accepting pre-orders. Shipping begins on September 1, 2026.
International sales will begin earlier: In the U.S., the U.K., and Japan, CMF will start shipping as early as August 15, where the price is $99 and 79 pounds, respectively. At launch, there was a limited-time pre-order discount of $79 in those markets. Full details are available on the official product page.
Context: A budget-friendly entry into a crowded market
The clip form factor is now well-served. Huawei has followed up with the FreeClip 2 S, Sony is selling the LinkBuds Clip, Sennheiser has entered the market with the Accentum Clip, and even the parent company is serving the segment with the Nothing Ear (Open). Almost all of these models cost more than 100 euros. That’s exactly where CMF comes in.
The timing, however, is unusual. Nothing is currently going through a difficult phase: the company has only partially denied reports of job cuts and a withdrawal from several markets, while confirming the staff reductions. An aggressively priced headphone in a growing category fits a brand that needs volume.
Conclusion
On paper, the CMF Clip Pro does little wrong. LDAC, IP54, 10 hours of battery life, and a titanium wire clip for 79.95 euros make for a package rarely seen in this price range, and the Smart Dial on the case is at least an original idea rather than a copy.
Two key questions remain, however—the ones that always determine the success of open-ear headphones: How much bass is actually left without a seal, and how does the clip feel after three hours? Both questions can only be answered after the market launch on September 1.
