QCY MeloBuds N70: The Earbuds That’ll Make You Question Why You’d Pay More

The true wireless earbuds market has exploded in a way few predicted: by 2026, more than 60% of Brazilians using earbuds have already switched to the wireless model, according to IDC Brasil data. The problem? Most products under R$200 still deliver noise cancellation that looks more like an Instagram filter than real technology — that ANC that “works” but blocks nothing beyond your initial enthusiasm. It’s exactly in this gap that QCY positioned the MeloBuds N70: an entry-level premium earbud that promises real ANC, decent audio quality, and honest battery life at a price that won’t collapse your bank account.

I spent three weeks testing the N70 in my daily routine in São Paulo — rush hour subway, noisy home office with a loud neighbor, gym, Teams meetings, and even a short intercity bus trip. My testing process combines subjective use with technical analysis: I use the Wavelet app to informally measure frequency response, time battery life at 70% volume, and test latency with mobile games. Spoiler: the result surprised me more than I expected for this price range.

Technical Specifications

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ANC that actually works for the price range — effectively eliminates constant noise
• Excellent battery life, especially with the case (total of ~38h without ANC)
• Impressive fast charging: 10 minutes gives 2 hours of use
• Bluetooth 5.3 with quick and stable reconnection (rarely dropped during testing)
• Functional QCY app with 5-band equalizer and ANC adjustment
• Direct volume control on the earbud — absent in many competitors in the same range
• Build quality above expectations for the price
• IPX5 ensures worry-free use at the gym and in light rain
• Low latency mode (60ms) works well for casual gaming

Cons:

• Codec limited to SBC and AAC — no aptX or LDAC, which limits audio quality ceiling for audiophiles
• ANC loses efficiency against high-pitched and variable noise (conversations, sudden honks)
• Bass slightly exaggerated in default profile — can tire during long sessions
• Microphone delivers reasonable quality, but doesn’t shine in very noisy environments
• Case accumulates scratches easily (matte finish sensitive to marks)
• No native multipoint support (simultaneous connection to two devices)
• App could use more granular equalization (10 bands would be ideal)

Cost-Benefit Analysis

This is where the heart of the analysis lies. The N70 costs an average of R$ 170 in Brazil in 2026, depending on the platform. For context: Samsung Galaxy Buds FE still hover around R$ 350–400, and entry-level AirPods surpass R$ 900. The right question isn’t “does it compete with flagship models?” — it’s “does it deliver real value for money spent?”

The answer is yes, and by a wide margin. The N70’s hybrid ANC uses both external and internal microphones (hence the name “hybrid” — think of it like a sandwich: the external microphone picks up noise, the chip creates an opposite wave to cancel it, and the internal microphone checks if it worked). In tests on the Green Line subway, it reduced background noise noticeably — it doesn’t disappear completely like a Sony WH-1000XM6, but it makes music intelligible without needing to crank the volume. For daily urban use, this solves the problem.

The ~38 hours of total battery life is another unexpectedly strong point. Direct competitors like the Xiaomi Redmi Buds 5 Pro and JBL Vibe Buds are in a similar range, but the N70’s fast charging is genuinely superior — 10 minutes on USB-C and you have two hours in your bag. For those of us who forget to charge earbuds (myself included), this is a game changer.

The only point where cost-benefit breaks down is for those using Spotify with “Ultra” quality or external DACs. Without LDAC or aptX, the audio pipeline is limited to AAC — functional for regular streaming, but a bottleneck for anyone wanting to extract maximum value from FLAC files. If that’s your profile, it’s worth spending a bit more. Otherwise, the N70 delivers exactly what it promises.

Competitor Comparison

The Redmi Buds 5 Pro is the most direct and interesting competitor — for R$ 30 more, you gain LDAC and more aggressive ANC. If the budget allows that difference, it’s worth comparing before deciding. For those fixed at R$ 170, though, the N70 wins the combo of fast charging + volume control + build quality.

Usage Tips and Configuration

Initial Setup (do this first)

After pairing, download the QCY app immediately before using. The factory default equalization profile exaggerates bass — it might be attractive at first, but gets tiring in sessions over an hour. In the app, go to Equalizer and try the “Balanced” preset or create a custom profile with bass slightly reduced (about 2dB below default) and presence boosted in the midrange. The difference in vocal intelligibility is noticeable.

ANC: When to Turn On and When to Turn Off

The N70’s ANC performs best against constant, low-frequency noise: AC units, fans, subway motors, airplane noise. In environments with conversations or variable noise, the transparency mode (which amplifies the environment) is more useful — lets you listen to music without removing the earbuds for safety. Enable ANC on public transport and airplanes; use transparency mode on the street for safety.

Common Troubleshooting

• Earbud won’t connect after app update: reset the pair (keep both in case with lid open for 10 seconds while pressing the internal button) — fixes 90% of cases.
• High latency in games: make sure Game Mode is active in the QCY app — it forces 60ms and disables audio processing that increases delay.
• Microphone with too much background noise: beamforming works better when the earbud is properly fitted; try different tips (kit comes with S, M, and L).

The Future of Technology

The TWS (True Wireless Stereo) segment is undergoing rapid transition in 2026. The next frontier that brands like QCY need to cross is Bluetooth LE Audio — the successor to classic Bluetooth for audio, bringing LC3 codec (superior quality to AAC with less data), native multipoint, and accessibility features like audio sharing. Chips like the Qualcomm S7 Gen 1 and MediaTek MT2822 already support the protocol, and it’s likely the next generation MeloBuds will arrive with this. Another important vector is on-device AI in microphones: noise suppression algorithms running locally on the earbud (no cloud needed), like what Sony already implemented in the XM6. For the R$ 150–200 range, this technology should arrive between 2027 and 2028. For now, the N70 is well-positioned as a product for today — but it’s worth keeping this perspective when deciding whether to “invest” or just “use for a year or two.” If you’re into other audio and wearable gadgets, also check out the Redmi Watch 5 Active vs Band 10: Complete 2026 Review to understand how to build a complete setup without breaking the bank.

Final Verdict

The QCY MeloBuds N70 is exactly the type of product that should exist more in Brazil: honest, well-executed, and without promises it can’t keep. It won’t replace a Sony or an Apple — but it never tried. For anyone wanting to jump from wired earbuds or non-ANC TWS to something more serious without spending more than R$ 200, it’s probably the smartest choice available now. And if you’re building a complete productivity setup with other gadgets, don’t miss checking out the Echo Dot Max Worth It in 2026: Complete Review to complement your home office.

Overall Rating: 8.2/10

Recommended for: Urban users who use public transport, home office workers with noisy environments, people wanting functional ANC for the first time without budget compromise, students and professionals who need long battery life with fast charging.

Best price range: R$ 150 – R$ 175 (avoid if above R$ 200 — the price difference already justifies looking at Redmi Buds 5 Pro or EarFun Air Pro 4)