Nothing‘s budget sub-brand steps into portable audio with two colourful, waterproof Bluetooth speakers that care as much about looks as sound.
The Bluetooth speaker aisle is full of near-identical black cylinders, which makes CMF’s first attempt at one refreshing. The Speaker S and Speaker M, announced on 12 October, arrive in four bright colours, with upright, geometric shapes similar to that of a milk carton. They’re meant to be noticed, on a shelf as well as at a picnic.
The size S: the pocketable one
The Speaker S ($99) uses a 45mm driver and two passive radiators to deliver 10W RMS, modest by speaker standards but enough for casual listening. It weighs 334g and has a small attachment point for a strap or carabiner, so it clips easily to a bag.
The size M: the one for turning up
The Speaker M ($159) adds a dedicated 25W woofer and a 10W tweeter for 35W combined output. It’s taller and heavier at 602g, with a proper handle built into the top.
Key features
Both models share the same tech package. They offer Bluetooth 6.0, IP68 dust and water resistance, and a Party Mode for linking several speakers together. Via the Nothing X app, you can pick Ultra Bass or Wide Soundstage and choose from four EQ presets: Balanced, More Bass, More Treble and Voice. NFC tap-to-pair, Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair make connecting easy, and the speakers can stay linked to two devices at once. Battery life is up to 18 hours, and ten minutes of charging buys an hour of playback. For stereo sound, you need two speakers of the same model. The IP68 rating means they survive 1.5m of water for 30 minutes, so they’re comfortable outdoors.
How do they sound?
The design may appear to be the main draw, considering that there are better options at this price point. While the S is an easy and more affordable buy, the M falls short on bass and volume for its price. If sound alone is your priority, that’s a caution worth taking seriously, especially for the M.
Availability in Singapore
Internationally, the speakers are on sale through nothing.tech and select retail partners. If you’re keen, the best move is to check Nothing’s Singapore website for availability, which should be announced soon.
Pros
- Playful, distinctive design in four colours (White, Dark Grey, Orange and Turquoise)
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Up to 18 hours of battery, with fast charging
- Bluetooth 6.0, NFC pairing and dual-device connection
- Party Mode, plus EQ presets in the Nothing X app
- Affordable pricing, with the S the easier recommendation
Cons
- Sound is decent rather than exceptional, and the M lacks bass and volume for its price
- Hard moulded plastic with no rubber bumpers, so less rugged than the IP68 rating suggests
- No charging cable in the box
- Stereo pairing needs two matching speakers
The verdict
The CMF speakers are for people who want their gadgets to look like they won a design award. The Speaker S is the safer pick as an inexpensive, stylish, go-anywhere speaker. The M is more of a gamble unless you value its handle and design.
