Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear 1: 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

Nothing Ear 1

61Average

$100

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
Nothing Ear 1

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

6.4

Noise cancelling

7.8

4.8

Battery

8.5

5.1

Calls

8.0

6.8

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$99

$100

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 Nothing Ear 1 (2022). 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 A10020253 yr newer
Ear 12022

What differsMelomania A100Ear 1

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

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

Specifications

Melomania A100Ear 1

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $100
HearWiki score: 86; 61
Released: 2025; 2022
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 11.6 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 11.6 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature: -; neutral
Impedance: 25 Ω; 32 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Battery life: 11 h; 5 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; 4 h
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 34 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 10 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 10 min → 8 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; Google Assistant, Siri
Weight: 9.4 g; 4.7 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 57.4 g
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX4
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; silicone
Connector: -; USB-C
Model code: -; B181
Microphones: 6; 3
Call noise reduction: Yes; Yes

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear 1
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Nothing Ear 1
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$100
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	61 / 100 Average
Released	2025	2022
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	11.6 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	11.6 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sound signature	-	neutral
Impedance	25 Ω	32 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Battery
Battery life	11 h	5 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	4 h
Battery incl. case	39 h	34 h
Full charge time	66 min	10 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	10 min → 8 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	Google Assistant, Siri
Design
Weight	9.4 g	4.7 g
Case weight	38.7 g	57.4 g
Water resistance	IPX5	IPX4
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	silicone
Connector	-	USB-C
Model code	-	B181
Calls
Microphones	6	3
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

Nothing Ear 1

The Nothing Ear 1 offers a transparent design, hybrid ANC, and wireless charging at a budget-friendly price. While its sound is neutral and decent for the cost, it faces stiff competition from cheaper rivals with better battery life and latency, making its unique aesthetic its main draw.

Pro:Effective hybrid ANC for the price
Pro:Neutral, balanced sound signature
Pro:Supports wireless charging and USB-C

Con:Battery life is modest, especially with ANC on
Con:No multipoint or custom EQ
Con:Connectivity can be inconsistent

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

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 Nothing Ear 1