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Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Huawei FreeBuds 3: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 - Outstanding overall at around $99.

Score breakdown

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

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 7 of 7 measures.

  • Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
  • Huawei FreeBuds 3
HearWiki score
85
47
Sound
9.0
6.6
Noise cancelling
7.8
3.5
Battery
8.5
3.4
Calls
8.0
6.6
Value
9.6
2.2
Price (USD)
$99
$210

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 Huawei FreeBuds 3 (2020). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.1 and Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC.

  • Melomania A10020255 yr newer
  • FreeBuds 32020
What differsMelomania A100FreeBuds 3

Platform

Bluetooth
5.4
5.1
Top codec
aptX Lossless
AAC

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
Yes
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IPX5
IPX4

Level on: ANC type, Wireless charging, USB-C.

Specifications

Melomania A100FreeBuds 3
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$99
$210
HearWiki score
85
47
Released
2025
2020
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10 mm dynamic
14.2 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10 mm
14.2 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
-
Impedance
25 Ω
-
Bluetooth
5.4
5.1
Codecs
SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Latency
-
190 ms
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
11 h
4 h
Battery life (ANC on)
6.5 h
4 h
Battery incl. case
39 h
20 h
Full charge time
66 min
60 min
Quick charge
10 min → 3.2 h
-
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Active noise cancelling
Yes
Yes
ANC type
adaptive
adaptive
Transparency mode
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
Yes
No
Wear detection
No
Yes
Controls
touch
touch
Voice assistant
Google Assistant, Siri
Yes
Weight
9.4 g
4.5 g
Case weight
38.7 g
48 g
Water resistance
IPX5
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
Yes
Pad material
silicone
-
Microphones
6
-
Call noise reduction
Yes
-

What reviewers said

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 are true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a robust feature set, including LDAC support, multipoint connectivity, and a long-lasting battery. With a 10mm dynamic driver and a custom EQ via the companion app, they aim to deliver flexible, high-quality sound for everyday use. Their IPX5 rating and wireless charging add practical durability and convenience.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life with ANC off
  • Pro:Supports high-resolution LDAC codec
  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation adjusts to surroundings
  • Con:Battery life drops significantly with ANC on
  • Con:Touch controls may be sensitive for some users
  • Con:No mention of wireless charging case included

Huawei FreeBuds 3

The Huawei FreeBuds 3 are open-fit wireless earbuds that pair a sizeable dynamic driver with adaptive noise cancellation, aiming to deliver solid audio in a compact package. They offer a comfortable fit, decent battery life with a wireless-charging case, and good value for their price, though the ANC performance can be inconsistent and weaker than some rivals. Overall, they strike a balance between sound quality and features, but may not satisfy those seeking top-tier noise isolation.

  • Pro:Clear audio with notably deep bass
  • Pro:Compact case with wireless charging support
  • Pro:Respectable battery life with quick top-ups
  • Con:ANC effectiveness varies and can be weak
  • Con:No transparency mode or multipoint connectivity
  • Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)

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

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