True Wireless
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
86Outstanding
$99
Full review dataCambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Soundcore P42i: 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
Soundcore P42i
81Outstanding
$70
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
- Soundcore P42i
HearWiki score
86
81
Sound
9.0
7.8
Noise cancelling
7.8
8.7
Battery
8.5
9.1
Calls
8.0
7.4
Value
9.6
9.5
Price (USD)
$99
$70
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?
Mixed generations
Soundcore P42i (2026) against Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 (2025). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 brings Top codec aptX Lossless against LDAC, while the Soundcore P42i answers with Bluetooth 6.1 against 5.4.
- Melomania A1002025
- P42i20261 yr newer
What differsMelomania A100P42i
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- 6.1
- Top codec
- aptX Lossless
- LDAC
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP55
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Melomania A100P42i
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $99
- $70
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 81
- Released
- 2025
- 2026
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 10 mm dynamic
- 11 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10 mm
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- 25 Ω
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.4
- 6.1
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LDAC
- LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 11 h
- 12 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 6.5 h
- 8.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 39 h
- 56 h
- Full charge time
- 66 min
- 60 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 3.2 h
- 10 min → 3.5 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- No
- No
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Google Assistant, Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 9.4 g
- 4.4 g
- Case weight
- 38.7 g
- 51 g
- Water resistance
- IPX5
- IP55
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Pad material
- silicone
- -
- Microphones
- 6
- 6
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- AI ENC
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
Soundcore P42i
The Soundcore P42i delivers a rich feature set at a budget-friendly price, including adaptive noise cancellation, LDAC support, and multipoint connectivity. With a comfortable fit, long battery life, and IP55 durability, it offers impressive value for everyday listening. The earbuds also provide strong app integration and customizable EQ options.
- Pro:Excellent value for the price
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended wear
- Pro:Strong adaptive noise cancellation
- Con:No wireless charging support
- Con:Average frequency response range
- Con:Touch controls may be sensitive for some users
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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