Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus: 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

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

70Good

$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 6 of 7 measures.

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

HearWiki score

Sound

9.0

7.8

Noise cancelling

7.8

Battery

8.5

9.1

Calls

8.0

7.5

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 Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus (2021). 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 None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Custom EQ and Water resistance IPX5 against IPX2.

Melomania A10020254 yr newer
Galaxy Buds Plus2021

What differsMelomania A100Galaxy Buds Plus

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Top codec: aptX Lossless; AAC
ANC type: Adaptive; None
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX2

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

Specifications

Melomania A100Galaxy Buds Plus

Type: True Wireless; True Wireless
Price (USD): $99; $160
HearWiki score: 86; 70
Released: 2025; 2021
Availability: Sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 10 mm dynamic; 6 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 10 mm; 6 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 20 kHz; 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance: 25 Ω; 16 Ω
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC; SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
Multipoint pairing: Yes; No
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 11 h; 11 h
Battery life (ANC on): 6.5 h; -
Battery incl. case: 39 h; 270 h
Full charge time: 66 min; -
Quick charge: 10 min → 3.2 h; 3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging: Yes; Yes
Active noise cancelling: Yes; No
ANC type: adaptive; none
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; No
Wear detection: No; No
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Google Assistant, Siri; Yes
Weight: 9.4 g; 6.3 g
Case weight: 38.7 g; 39.6 g
Water resistance: IPX5; IPX2
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Pad material: silicone; -
Model code: -; SM-R175
Microphones: 6; 1
Call noise reduction: Yes; -

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Spec	Cambridge Audio Melomania A100	Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
Type	True Wireless	True Wireless
Price (USD)	$99	$160
HearWiki score	86 / 100 Outstanding	70 / 100 Good
Released	2025	2021
Audio
Driver	10 mm dynamic	6 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	10 mm	6 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	20 Hz - 20 kHz	20 Hz - 20 kHz
Impedance	25 Ω	16 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC	SBC, AAC, Samsung Scalable
Multipoint pairing	Yes	No
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	11 h	11 h
Battery life (ANC on)	6.5 h	-
Battery incl. case	39 h	270 h
Full charge time	66 min	-
Quick charge	10 min → 3.2 h	3 min → 1 h
Wireless charging	Yes	Yes
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	No
ANC type	adaptive	none
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	No
Wear detection	No	No
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Google Assistant, Siri	Yes
Design
Weight	9.4 g	6.3 g
Case weight	38.7 g	39.6 g
Water resistance	IPX5	IPX2
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Pad material	silicone	-
Model code	-	SM-R175
Calls
Microphones	6	1
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

Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are true wireless earbuds that deliver a well-balanced, neutral sound profile suitable for most music genres. They stand out for their excellent battery life, improved call quality from the extra microphone, and comfortable, stylish design, though they lack active noise cancellation. With USB-C and wireless charging support, they remain a practical everyday choice for those prioritizing sound and endurance over noise blocking.

Pro:Very long battery life with case
Pro:Balanced and neutral sound out of the box
Pro:Improved call clarity thanks to dual mics

Con:No active noise cancellation
Con:Only IPX2 water resistance
Con:No multipoint connection

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

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