QCY vs. Oraimo vs. CMF: Which Budget Brand Offers the Best Value?

Ask five people which budget earbuds brand is best, and you'll get five different answers, usually depending on which one they happen to own. QCY, Oraimo, and CMF by Nothing have all built solid reputations in Bangladesh's earbuds market, and none of them are the compromise picks budget brands used to be a few years ago. That also means choosing the best budget earbuds in Bangladesh is no longer as simple as picking the cheapest model. The honest answer is that each one wins in a different category.

Meet the Three Budget Earbud Brands

In the current market, QCY, Oraimo and CMF are considered the three best budget earbud brands. QCY has been making earbuds since 2009 and has built its reputation on squeezing good ANC, battery life, and LDAC support into prices that undercut almost everyone else. Oraimo, a brand with strong roots across African and South Asian markets, leans into rugged, sweat-resistant designs with some of the longest battery figures in this price range. CMF by Nothing is the newest of the three, launched as Nothing's budget sub-brand, and it brings a level of design polish and app support that punches above its price point, though it also starts a bit higher than the other two.

Sound Quality Comparison

When it comes to sound quality, CMF edges ahead. Models like the Buds 2 Plus combine a 12mm driver with LDAC support and Dirac tuning. On top of that, it has a personal sound profile feature that adjusts audio to your individual hearing. QCY isn't far behind; the Melobuds N20 Pro supports SSB and AAC and 360-degree stereo sound at a lower price. Oraimo tunes more toward bass and doesn't offer a Hi-Res codec option across its lineup currently. This makes it the least detailed of the three for critical listening. However,the overall sound is far from bad.

Codec support also matters, so read our guide to SBC, AAC and LDAC audio codecs before choosing earbuds for high-quality music. 

ANC & Transparency Mode Comparison

CMF again takes the lead on paper, with hybrid ANC rated up to 50dB on the Buds 2 Plus and Buds Pro 2, plus an adaptive mode that adjusts to your environment in real time. Oraimo's FreePods Pro+ claims up to 45dB of hybrid ANC, putting it close behind. QCY's ANC performance is solid rather than class-leading, but the Melobuds N20 Pro's adjustable transparency mode is a very useful touch that neither competitor matches as specifically.

Since many earbuds advertise both ANC and ENC, it's worth understanding what each technology actually does before comparing models. Many earbuds advertise both ANC and ENC, but the two technologies solve different problems. Our guide explains the practical difference between ANC and ENC before you compare models based on noise-cancellation claims..

Microphone & Call Quality Comparison

All three brands have, over time, landed on multi-mic setups with AI-based noise reduction for their earbuds. The practical difference in everyday calls has decreased much more than the spec sheets suggest. CMF's Buds 2 uses six microphones with dedicated wind noise reduction, which helps a lot during outdoor calls. QCY's T13 ANC 2 uses four mics with wind noise cancellation rated for winds around 25km/h, a useful spec for anyone taking calls on a bike or rickshaw. Oraimo's 4-mic setup on the SpaceBuds Z performs well in typical indoor and office settings but is a step behind the other two in consistently windy conditions.

Gaming Performance Comparison

Low-latency game modes are standard in all three brands now. The differences nowadays are mostly about extra features instead of raw latency. QCY's wind noise cancellation is a small advantage for anyone gaming with voice chat on a mobile phone outdoors. Oraimo's immersive game mode adds a 360-degree sound-positioning effect on some models, which helps provide directional cues in competitive games. CMF doesn't market gaming as heavily as the other two, but its low-latency mode performs comparably well in practice.

More importantly, do not judge gaming performance by the advertised latency figure alone. Learn how to choose low-latency gaming earbuds before deciding based only on a game-mode claim.

Battery Life Comparison

Oraimo wins this category by a large margin. The SpaceBuds 2 Hybrid promises up to 45 hours total without ANC and 35 hours with it, while QCY or CMF state for these money in similar price brackets. The Melobuds N20 Pro comes with a total of 40 hours playtime (ANC off) while the T13 ANC 2 supports up to 30 hours in similar conditions, so QCY isn't far behind here. CMF occasionally feels a little bullish on battery specs, sacrificing some of that word yield for their upper-tier ANC / driver hardware. Battery specifications are only part of the equation. Proper charging, storage, and daily usage habits can also make your earbud battery last longer.

Companion App & Features Comparison

CMF benefits from being part of the Nothing ecosystem, and the Nothing X app is noticeably more polished than most budget-brand apps. The app provides EQ customization, firmware updates, and the personal sound profile feature that work smoothly in both Android and iOS. QCY's app covers the essentials well: EQ, firmware, and wear detection. Oraimo's Sound app matches QCY on core functionality and adds smart device naming and multi-device management. It comes in handy if you own more than one Oraimo product.

Build Quality & Comfort Comparison

CMF's Nothing-inspired minimalist design language is the most distinctive of the three. They tend to feel the most premium in hand, even at a mid-range price. Oraimo prioritizes a secure, sporty fit, with highly water- and sweat-resistant ratings throughout their lineup. This should matter more than aesthetics if you're wearing earbuds through a workout. QCY sits in between both the practical and comfortable aspects. It’s the reason why it remains such a consistent value pick. Fit also depends on the earbud shape and how deeply it sits inside the ear. Compare in-ear, half-in-ear and open-ear earbuds before choosing only by brand or appearance.

Which Brand is Best for Different Users?

Students

For the students of Bangladesh, budget matters most. And to that end, QCY's T13 ANC 2 is the perfect choice. It delivers real ANC, wind-resistant call quality, and 30-hour battery life for well under 2,000 taka, which is hard to beat for a first proper pair of wireless earbuds.

Office Users

Call clarity and ease of use matter more to busy office workers than anything else. CMF's six-microphone setup and easy-to-use app make it the most suitable option. You can also compare our complete selection of the best earbuds for office and online classes.

Travelers

Travelers on long flights and layovers require strong battery life and adjustable ANC. QCY's Melobuds N20 Pro covers both without pushing into premium pricing.

Gym Users

Sweat resistance and a secure fit outweigh sound nuance during a workout. Oraimo's IPX5-rated SpaceBuds Z is built specifically for this kind of use. Don't assume every water-resistant pair is equally durable. Do not assume every water-resistant pair offers the same protection. Gym users should understand earbud IPX ratings before buying earbuds for workouts, running, or outdoor use.

Gamers

Low latency matters, but so does clear voice chat, and QCY's wind noise cancellation gives it a small edge for anyone gaming with headset mic use outdoors or near a fan or AC unit.

Music Lovers

If sound detail is the priority, CMF's LDAC support and Dirac-tuned drivers on the Buds 2 Plus offer the most detailed listening experience of the three brands, at a price that still undercuts most premium earbuds. For more model-level recommendations, compare the best earbuds for music available in Bangladesh.

Which Brand Gives the Best Value in Bangladesh?

If you are going by the most features per taka you spend, then QCY is the winner. Particularly in the sub-2,000-taka price segment, where the ANC models have very few true competitors. So if value means the kind of brand that would still stand the test of years of workouts in and out of a daily gym routine, then I will say Oraimo have got something good around their durability and battery life. A price tag higher than most CMF products, it aimed to get near flagship sound and ANC quality without flagship prices, which is what makes an entry-level CMF product worthwhile. 

There is no universal winner:

• Choose QCY for maximum features per taka.
• Choose Oraimo for workouts and bass-heavy listening.
• Choose CMF for LDAC, app features and a more premium experience.

Brand Scorecard

Who Should Buy What?

Before purchasing, compare the latest prices, stock availability, specifications, and warranty information across SMS Gadget’s earbuds collection.