Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear (stick): 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 (stick)

60Average

$120

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 (stick)

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

6.4

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

8.5

5.5

Calls

8.0

6.6

Value

9.6

Price (USD)

$99

$120

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 (stick) (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 None.

Melomania A10020253 yr newer
Ear (stick)2022

What differsMelomania A100Ear (stick)

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; None
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX5; IP54

Level on: USB-C.

Specifications

Melomania A100Ear (stick)

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $120
HearWiki score: 86; 60
Released: 2025; 2022
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 12.6 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 12.6 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; -
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.2
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 7 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 29 h
Full charge time: 66 min; 55 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging: Yes; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: adaptive; -
Transparency mode: Yes; -
Companion app: Yes; -
Custom EQ: Yes; -
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; buttons
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; -
Weight: 9.4 g; 4.4 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 46.3 g
Water resistance: IPX5; IP54
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Microphones: 6; 3
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear (stick)
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Nothing Ear (stick)
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$120
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	60 / 100 Average
Released	2025	2022
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	12.6 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	12.6 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.2
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	7 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	-
Battery incl. case	39 h	29 h
Full charge time	66 min	55 min
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	10 min → 2 h
Wireless charging	Yes	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	adaptive	-
Transparency mode	Yes	-
Companion app	Yes	-
Custom EQ	Yes	-
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	buttons
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	-
Design
Weight	9.4 g	4.4 g
Case weight	38.7 g	46.3 g
Water resistance	IPX5	IP54
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Calls
Microphones	6	3
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

Nothing Ear (stick)

The Nothing Ear (stick) are lightweight, open-fit earbuds with a neutral sound signature and a subtle bass boost from later firmware updates. They offer solid battery life, comfortable wear, and a stylish design, but lack active noise cancellation and premium codec support. Overall, they are practical and good-value for everyday listening, though not exceptional in performance.

Pro:Comfortable and lightweight design
Pro:Solid battery life (7h, 29h with case)
Pro:Neutral sound with decent clarity

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:No aptX or LDAC support
Con:Bass lacks depth at higher volumes

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

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