Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs JLab Epic Air 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

JLab Epic Air ANC

51Average

$61

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
JLab Epic Air ANC

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

5.8

Noise cancelling

7.8

4.0

Battery

8.5

8.4

Calls

8.0

4.8

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$99

$61

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 JLab Epic Air ANC (2020). The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.0, Top codec aptX Lossless against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

Melomania A10020255 yr newer
Epic Air ANC2020

What differsMelomania A100Epic Air ANC

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
USB-C: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX5; Not rated

Level on: Wireless charging, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

Melomania A100Epic Air ANC

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $61
HearWiki score: 86; 51
Released: 2025; 2020
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 8 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 8 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 110 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Latency: -; 200 ms
Wireless range: -; 9 m
Battery life: 11 h; 12 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 8 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 48 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 180 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 10 min → 2 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; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Yes
Weight: 9.4 g; 13 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 57 g
Water resistance: IPX5; none
Detachable cable: -; No
USB-C: Yes; No
Pad material: silicone; -
Microphones: 6; 6
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Mic sensitivity: -; -38 dBV
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes
Call NR technology: -; noise-cancelling mic

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs JLab Epic Air ANC
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	JLab Epic Air ANC
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$61
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	51 / 100 Average
Released	2025	2020
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	8 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	8 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	-	110 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Latency	-	200 ms
Wireless range	-	9 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	12 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	8 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	48 h
Full charge time	66 min	180 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	10 min → 2 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	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	9.4 g	13 g
Case weight	38.7 g	57 g
Water resistance	IPX5	none
Detachable cable	-	No
USB-C	Yes	No
Pad material	silicone	-
Calls
Microphones	6	6
Microphone type	-	MEMS
Mic sensitivity	-	-38 dBV
Call noise reduction	Yes	Yes
Call NR technology	-	noise-cancelling mic

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

JLab Epic Air ANC

The JLab Epic Air ANC earbuds offer a budget-friendly entry into hybrid active noise cancellation, with a robust 48-hour total battery life using the case and wireless charging support. They deliver full-bodied bass with clear highs, but their ANC performance is merely serviceable, and app reliability can be inconsistent, making them a solid value rather than a standout performer.

Pro:Very good sound quality with punchy bass and clear treble
Pro:Excellent total battery life of up to 48 hours with the case
Pro:Includes wireless charging and transparency mode

Con:ANC and awareness mode are only adequate, not exceptional
Con:App reliability can be inconsistent
Con:No USB-C charging port and limited Bluetooth range

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

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