Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Final ZE300 ANC: 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 data

True Wireless

Final ZE300 ANC

68Good

$50

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.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Final ZE300 ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

7.8

Noise cancelling

7.8

4.5

Battery

8.5

4.8

Calls

8.0

3.4

Value

9.6

7.3

Price (USD)

$99

$50

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: Top codec aptX Lossless against LDAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Wireless charging and Water resistance IPX5 against IPX4.

Melomania A1002025
ZE300 ANC2025

What differsMelomania A100ZE300 ANC

Top codec: aptX Lossless; LDAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX4

Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, Transparency mode.

Specifications

Melomania A100ZE300 ANC

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $50
HearWiki score: 86; 68
Released: 2025; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 5 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 5 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.4
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Battery life: 11 h; 5.5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 4.5 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 16.5 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 90 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; -
Controls: touch; -
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; -
Weight: 9.4 g; 4 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; -
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; -
Pad material: silicone; -
Microphones: 6; -
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Final ZE300 ANC
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Final ZE300 ANC
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$50
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	68 / 100 Good
Released	2025	2025
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	5 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	5 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	10 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.4
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Battery
Battery life	11 h	5.5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	4.5 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	16.5 h
Full charge time	66 min	90 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	10 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	-
Controls	touch	-
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	-
Design
Weight	9.4 g	4 g
Case weight	38.7 g	-
Water resistance	IPX5	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	-
Pad material	silicone	-
Calls
Microphones	6	-
Call noise reduction	Yes	-

What reviewers said

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

Final ZE300 ANC

The Final ZE300 ANC packs hybrid noise cancellation, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity into a remarkably compact 5mm-driver design, making it a strong budget contender. Sound quality punches above its $50 price point with a natural tone, though battery life is modest and the case lacks wireless charging. It's a comfortable, feature-rich option for those prioritizing portability and value over premium extras.

Pro:Compact, lightweight design ideal for portability
Pro:Natural, detailed sound that exceeds price expectations
Pro:Hybrid ANC and transparency mode work well for the cost

Con:Battery life is short, especially with ANC on
Con:No app support for customization or firmware updates
Con:Carrying case doesn't support wireless charging

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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