True Wireless
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
86Outstanding
$99
Full review dataCambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Huawei FreeBuds 5i: 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
Huawei FreeBuds 5i
70Good
$94
Full review dataScore 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
- Huawei FreeBuds 5i
HearWiki score
86
70
Sound
9.0
6.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
6.8
Battery
8.5
4.6
Calls
8.0
6.5
Value
9.6
-
Price (USD)
$99
$94
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 5i (2023). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.2, Top codec aptX Lossless against LDAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.
- Melomania A10020252 yr newer
- FreeBuds 5i2023
What differsMelomania A100FreeBuds 5i
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- 5.2
- Top codec
- aptX Lossless
- LDAC
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Wear detection
- No
- Yes
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP54
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Melomania A100FreeBuds 5i
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $99
- $94
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 70
- Released
- 2025
- 2023
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- 25 Ω
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 110.8 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 7.5 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 6.5 h
- 6 h
- Battery incl. case
- 39 h
- 28 h
- Full charge time
- 66 min
- 60 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 3.2 h
- 15 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 9.4 g
- 4.9 g
- Case weight
- 38.7 g
- 33.9 g
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP54
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- silicone
- -
- Microphones
- 6
- 2
- 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
Huawei FreeBuds 5i
The Huawei FreeBuds 5i deliver a surprisingly rich feature set for their budget price, including hybrid ANC, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity. They offer a balanced sound profile and a premium feel, though their noise cancellation and battery life are decent rather than class-leading. Overall, they are a compelling value pick for those seeking versatile wireless earbuds without breaking the bank.
- Pro:Excellent value for money with premium build feel
- Pro:LDAC support and multipoint pairing enhance versatility
- Pro:Effective hybrid ANC and transparency mode for the price
- Con:ANC performance is not top-tier compared to pricier rivals
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Best experience requires using Huawei's dedicated app
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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