Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Mpow X3: 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

Mpow X3

55Average

$160

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
Mpow X3

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

6.7

Noise cancelling

7.8

4.0

Battery

8.5

4.8

Calls

8.0

5.2

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$99

$160

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 Mpow X3 (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
X32020

What differsMelomania A100X3

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; Hybrid
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX6

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

Melomania A100X3

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $160
HearWiki score: 86; 55
Released: 2025; 2020
Availability: Sold new; Discontinued
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 - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; 32 Ω
Sensitivity: -; 108 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Battery life: 11 h; 7 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 6 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 27 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 120 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; -
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; hybrid
Transparency mode: Yes; No
Companion app: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 9.4 g; 4.6 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; -
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX6
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Microphones: 6; 4
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Mpow X3
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Mpow X3
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$160
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	55 / 100 Average
Released	2025	2020
Audio
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 - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	32 Ω
Sensitivity	-	108 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Battery
Battery life	11 h	7 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	6 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	27 h
Full charge time	66 min	120 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	-
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	hybrid
Transparency mode	Yes	No
Companion app	Yes	No
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	9.4 g	4.6 g
Case weight	38.7 g	-
Water resistance	IPX5	IPX6
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Calls
Microphones	6	4
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

Mpow X3

The Mpow X3 true wireless earbuds deliver a well-rounded package with hybrid active noise cancellation, a robust IPX6 rating, and solid battery life—around 6 hours with ANC on and up to 27 hours with the case. They offer a balanced sound signature, touch controls, and USB-C charging, making them a practical choice for everyday use and workouts, though the ANC is not the strongest and the case feels a bit plasticky.

Pro:Good all-round performance with hybrid ANC
Pro:IPX6 water resistance suitable for workouts
Pro:Solid battery life with USB-C charging

Con:ANC is not very powerful
Con:Case feels somewhat cheap
Con:No wireless charging or transparency mode

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

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