Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

True Wireless

Apple AirPods Pro 3

86Outstanding

$180

Full review data

True Wireless

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

86Outstanding

$99

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 5 of 7 measures.

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

8.6

9.0

Noise cancelling

9.3

7.8

Battery

7.3

8.5

Calls

7.4

8.0

Value

8.3

9.6

Price (USD)

$180

$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

Both shipped in 2025. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Wear detection and Water resistance IP57 against IPX5.

AirPods Pro 32025
Melomania A1002025

What differsAirPods Pro 3Melomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Top codec: AAC; aptX Lossless
Wear detection: Yes; No
Water resistance: IP57; IPX5

Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Companion app.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Melomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $180; $99
HearWiki score: 86; 86
Released: 2025; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10.7 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10.7 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: -; 25 Ω
Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW; -
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 8 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): 8 h; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: -; 39 h
Full charge time: -; 66 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Siri; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 5.5 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 44 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: IP57; IPX5
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Microphones: 3; 6
Microphone type: beamforming; -
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Apple AirPods Pro 3	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$180	$99
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2025	2025
Audio
Driver	10.7 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10.7 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	-	25 Ω
Sensitivity	110 dB/mW	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	8 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	8 h	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	-	39 h
Full charge time	-	66 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Siri	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	5.5 g	9.4 g
Case weight	44 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	IP57	IPX5
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Calls
Microphones	3	6
Microphone type	beamforming	-
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on

Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
Con:Premium price point
Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

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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