Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear (3): which should you buy?
Get the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100. For workouts, Cambridge Audio rates the earbuds IPX5 against water and puts them at 4.7g each, where Nothing rates the Ear (3) IP54 at 5.2 g each. The Nothing Ear (3) are a good pair for tuning your own sound, but for earbuds that go to the gym and still play your music well, the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 is our pick.
Who should get the Nothing Ear (3)
Get the Nothing Ear (3) if you want to shape the sound yourself. Nothing lists 24-bit Hi-Res Audio over LDAC and an 8-band equalizer in the Nothing X app, and adaptive noise canceling that rechecks your surroundings every 600 milliseconds. The case also carries a talk button for calls.
The differences that matter
Water comes first for a workout. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 carry an IPX5 rating, and Nothing rates the Nothing Ear (3) earbuds IP54, for dust, sweat and light rain, and not for swimming or the shower. The second digit is the water figure, so the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 read one step higher on water, while the Nothing Ear (3) add a dust rating.
Weight comes second. Cambridge Audio states 4.7g per earbud and Nothing states 5.2 g per earbud on its product page. The difference is small, and on a run it is the side that matters.
Music comes third. The Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 use Class A/B amplification and 10mm drivers with both LDAC and aptX Lossless, by Cambridge Audio. The Nothing Ear (3) list SBC, AAC and LDAC.
Battery is close. With noise canceling on and the case counted, Cambridge Audio states 21 hours and Nothing states 22 hours. That is slightly more for the Nothing Ear (3), too little to choose on. Both carry adaptive noise canceling and a Transparency mode.
Price and value
Checked Nov. 15, 2026, the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 cost $149. Checked Nov. 15, 2026, the Nothing Ear (3) cost $99.
Get the Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 for workouts with good sound. Get the Nothing Ear (3) if you live in the equalizer.
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear (3)
Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
$149 at World Wide Stereo
Nothing Ear (3)
$99 at Nothing- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: IPX5Water resistanceDiffersNothing Ear (3): IP54
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: 4.7gWeight (per earbud)â—‚ BetterNothing Ear (3): 5.2g
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: Adaptive active noise cancelling, plus Transparency modeNoise cancellationNothing Ear (3): Real-time adaptive noise cancelling up to 45 dB, plus Transparency mode
- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100: 21 hoursBattery (with the case noise cancellation on)Nothing Ear (3): 22 hours
Top comparisons
All comparisons- Cambridge Audio Melomania A100 vs Nothing Ear (a)
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