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Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 vs Realme Buds Air 5: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 - Great overall at around $93.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling7.5
Battery9.0
Calls7.0
Value8.0
Realme Buds Air 5
Sound7.0
Noise cancelling6.5
Battery6.0
Calls7.0
Value7.5

Specifications

Specification comparison of Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 vs Realme Buds Air 5
SpecCambridge Audio Melomania M100Realme Buds Air 5
TypeTrue WirelessTrue Wireless
Price (USD)$93$50
HearWiki score82 / 100 · Great68 / 100 · Good
Released20242023
Audio
Driver10mmdynamic
Driver size10 mm12.4 mm
Drivers per side21
Frequency response-20 Hz - 20,000 Hz
Impedance-32 Ω
Wireless
Bluetooth5.35.3
Bluetooth version5.35.3
CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX LosslessSBC, AAC
Multipoint pairingYesYes
Wireless range-10 m
Battery
Battery life16 h7 h
Battery life (ANC on)10 h4.5 h
Battery incl. case52 h38 h
Full charge time150 min130 min
Quick charge10 min = 1.5 h ANC on; 10 min = 2.4 h ANC off10 min = 7 h
Wireless chargingYesNo
Features
Active noise cancellingYes-
ANC typeadaptiveadaptive
Transparency modeYesYes
Companion appYesYes
Custom EQYesYes
Wear detectionYesNo
Controlstouchtouch
Voice assistantSiri / Google Assistantyes
Design
Weight6.65 g8.8 g
Case weight53.3 g36.7 g
Water resistanceIPX4IPX5
USB-CYesYes
Calls
Microphones66
Call noise reduction-ANC + ENC

What reviewers said

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100

The Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 are feature-packed true wireless earbuds that deliver a warm, easy-going sound and a long list of modern conveniences. With adaptive ANC, aptX Lossless support, and a combined 52-hour battery life, they offer strong overall value for listeners who prioritize versatility and endurance. While their performance is solid for the price, some compromises in noise cancellation and transparency modes keep them from being flawless.

  • Pro:Very long total battery life with quick-charge support
  • Pro:Broad codec support including aptX Lossless
  • Pro:Effective adaptive noise cancellation for the price
  • Con:ANC performance is decent but not class-leading
  • Con:Transparency mode is relatively weak
  • Con:No specified frequency range from the manufacturer

Realme Buds Air 5

The Realme Buds Air 5 are affordable true wireless earbuds that pack adaptive noise cancellation, a 12.4mm dynamic driver, and Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support. They offer a solid 7-hour playtime on a single charge, extending to 38 hours with the case, plus IPX5 sweat resistance and a six-mic setup for clearer calls. With touch controls, a custom EQ, and app support, they aim to deliver a feature-rich budget experience, though they lack wireless charging and rely on AAC codecs only.

  • Pro:Adaptive noise cancellation for the price
  • Pro:Long total battery life with the charging case
  • Pro:IPX5 water resistance for workouts
  • Con:No wireless charging support
  • Con:Only AAC codec, no aptX or LDAC
  • Con:Battery drops to 4.5 hours with ANC on

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

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