Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Huawei FreeBuds 4: 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

Huawei FreeBuds 4

52Average

$190

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 7 of 7 measures.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Huawei FreeBuds 4

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

5.7

Noise cancelling

7.8

3.0

Battery

8.5

3.1

Calls

8.0

5.4

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$99

$190

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 4 (2021). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Melomania A10020254 yr newer
FreeBuds 42021

What differsMelomania A100FreeBuds 4

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Wear detection: No; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX4

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

Specifications

Melomania A100FreeBuds 4

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $190
HearWiki score: 86; 52
Released: 2025; 2021
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 14.3 mm driver
Driver type: dynamic; -
Driver size: 10 mm; 14.3 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Latency: -; 90 ms
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 4 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 2.5 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 22 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 60 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 15 min → 2.5 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Yes
Weight: 9.4 g; 4.1 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 38 g
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Connector: -; USB-C
Microphones: 6; 2
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Huawei FreeBuds 4
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Huawei FreeBuds 4
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$190
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	52 / 100 Average
Released	2025	2021
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	14.3 mm driver
Driver type	dynamic	-
Driver size	10 mm	14.3 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Latency	-	90 ms
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	4 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	2.5 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	22 h
Full charge time	66 min	60 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	15 min → 2.5 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	9.4 g	4.1 g
Case weight	38.7 g	38 g
Water resistance	IPX5	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Connector	-	USB-C
Calls
Microphones	6	2
Call noise reduction	Yes	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

Huawei FreeBuds 4

The Huawei FreeBuds 4 are open-fit true wireless earbuds that prioritize comfort and a lightweight feel over strong noise isolation. They offer a solid feature set including hybrid ANC, Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint, and wireless charging, but their battery life is notably short, especially with ANC active. They are best suited for those who value an airy, non-sealing fit and are willing to accept trade-offs in endurance and noise cancellation.

Pro:Very lightweight and comfortable open-fit design
Pro:Hybrid active noise cancellation and transparency mode included
Pro:Supports multipoint connection and wireless charging

Con:Battery life is modest, especially with ANC on (2.5 hours)
Con:Noise cancellation is weaker than in-ear alternatives
Con:No custom EQ options

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

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