True Wireless
Apple AirPods 3
70Good
$84
Full review dataApple AirPods 3 vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 - Outstanding overall at around $99.
True Wireless
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
86Outstanding
$99
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 6 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods 3
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
HearWiki score
70
86
Sound
7.0
9.0
Noise cancelling
-
7.8
Battery
7.0
8.5
Calls
6.3
8.0
Value
-
9.6
Price (USD)
$84
$99
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
New platform
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 (2025) against Apple AirPods 3 (2021). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None.
- AirPods 32021
- Melomania A10020254 yr newer
What differsAirPods 3Melomania A100
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX Lossless
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Transparency mode
- No
- Yes
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- IPX5
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Wireless charging, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods 3Melomania A100
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $84
- $99
- HearWiki score
- 70
- 86
- Released
- 2021
- 2025
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 25 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 5.4
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- No
- Yes
- Battery life
- 6 h
- 11 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- -
- 6.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 30 h
- 39 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 66 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 3.2 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- none
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- No
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- No
- Controls
- buttons
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Weight
- 4.3 g
- 9.4 g
- Case weight
- 37.9 g
- 38.7 g
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- IPX5
- Foldable
- No
- -
- Detachable cable
- No
- -
- USB-C
- No
- Yes
- Pad material
- -
- silicone
- Connector
- Lightning
- -
- Microphones
- 3
- 6
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods 3
The Apple AirPods 3 deliver a noticeable step up in audio clarity, detail, and spatial sound compared to earlier models, alongside improved battery life and a more secure fit for many users. They offer solid call quality and seamless integration with Apple devices, but their open design and lack of active noise cancellation mean they won't suit everyone, especially in noisy environments. While the sound is a clear upgrade, it's not class-leading, and the fixed fit may not work for all ear shapes.
- Pro:Improved sound clarity and detail over previous AirPods
- Pro:Better battery life than AirPods 2
- Pro:IPX4 water resistance for workouts and light rain
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Open, non-customizable fit may not seal well for all ears
- Con:Sound quality is good but not outstanding for the price
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 are true wireless earbuds that deliver a versatile feature set at a mid-range price. They combine adaptive active noise cancellation with high-resolution wireless audio support, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, along with a comfortable, water-resistant design. With a lengthy total battery life and convenient extras like wireless charging and multipoint, they aim to be a well-rounded daily companion.
- Pro:Excellent codec support including LDAC and aptX Lossless
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexible listening
- Pro:Long total battery life with wireless charging case
- Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC enabled
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
- Con:No mention of ear tips or fit accessories in specs
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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