Hundreds of readers bought these headphones this year (and they're not from Bose, Sony, or Apple)
Budget CMF earbuds from Nothing topped ZDNET sales over Bose and Sony
ZDNET audio editor Jada Jones compiled purchase data from affiliate links for Jan–Apr 2026. The top seller was CMF Buds 2 Plus, a budget TWS from Nothing's sub-brand, beating established giants. The CMF Headphone Pro came second. Only two Bose models (QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and QuietComfort Headphones) and two Sony models (MDREX155AP and WH-1000XM5) made the top 10; no Apple headphones appeared.
Beyond the CMF dominance, readers showed strong interest in specialized audio gear: Soundcore Sleep A30 and A20 earbuds designed for sleeping, and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 bone-conduction headphones. The Soundcore AeroFit Pro also made the list. This mix suggests that while noise-canceling flagships still attract buyers, many are seeking affordable alternatives or purpose-built devices for specific use cases like sleep, workouts, or open-ear listening.
- CMF Buds 2 Plus (Nothing sub-brand) was the #1 most purchased headphone on ZDNET in early 2026
- Only two Bose and two Sony models made the top 10; zero Apple headphones appeared
- Specialized headphones like Soundcore Sleep A30 (sleep) and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (bone conduction) were popular
Why It Matters
The data reveals a shift toward value and niche audio gear over premium mainstream brands.