Beats Solo Buds 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

Beats Solo Buds

64Good

$73

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 6 of 7 measures.

Beats Solo Buds
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

HearWiki score

Sound

6.3

9.0

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

7.8

8.5

Calls

4.8

8.0

Value

6.0

9.6

Price (USD)

$73

$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 Beats Solo Buds (2024). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Wireless charging and Water resistance (IPX5).

Solo Buds2024
Melomania A10020251 yr newer

What differsSolo BudsMelomania A100

Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Top codec: AAC; aptX Lossless
ANC type: None; Adaptive
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Water resistance: Not rated; IPX5

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C.

Specifications

Solo BudsMelomania A100

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $73; $99
HearWiki score: 64; 86
Released: 2024; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 2× 8.2 mm dynamic; 10 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 8.2 mm; 10 mm
Drivers per side: 2; 1
Frequency response: -; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: -; 25 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.3; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC; SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 18 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): -; 6.5 h
Battery incl. case: -; 39 h
Full charge time: -; 66 min
Quick charge: -; 10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging: No; Yes
Active noise cancelling: No; Yes
ANC type: -; adaptive
Transparency mode: -; Yes
Companion app: -; Yes
Custom EQ: -; Yes
Wear detection: -; No
Controls: buttons; touch
Voice assistant: -; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 5.7 g; 9.4 g
Case weight: 22 g; 38.7 g
Water resistance: none; IPX5
Detachable cable: No; -
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: -; silicone
Microphones: -; 6
Call noise reduction: -; Yes

Specification comparison of Beats Solo Buds vs Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Spec	Beats Solo Buds	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$73	$99
HearWiki score	64 / 100 Good	86 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2024	2025
Audio
Driver	2× 8.2 mm dynamic	10 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	8.2 mm	10 mm
Drivers per side	2	1
Frequency response	-	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	-	25 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.3	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	18 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	-	6.5 h
Battery incl. case	-	39 h
Full charge time	-	66 min
Quick charge	-	10 min → 3.2 h
Wireless charging	No	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	No	Yes
ANC type	-	adaptive
Transparency mode	-	Yes
Companion app	-	Yes
Custom EQ	-	Yes
Wear detection	-	No
Controls	buttons	touch
Voice assistant	-	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	5.7 g	9.4 g
Case weight	22 g	38.7 g
Water resistance	none	IPX5
Detachable cable	No	-
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	-	silicone
Calls
Microphones	-	6
Call noise reduction	-	Yes

What reviewers said

Beats Solo Buds

The Beats Solo Buds are a budget-friendly true wireless option that focuses on core audio quality and exceptional battery life, offering a secure fit ideal for workouts. They deliver a clean, dynamic sound with Bluetooth 5.3 and multipoint support, but cut costs by omitting active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and any water resistance, making them a bare-bones pick for casual listeners who value simplicity and long playtime.

Pro:Excellent battery life of 18 hours
Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for sports and fitness
Pro:Clean, punchy sound for the price

Con:No active noise cancellation or transparency mode
Con:No wireless charging or water resistance
Con:Limited controls with no in-ear detection

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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