The True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earbud market has grown over 340% in the last four years, and in 2026 we’re seeing something that would have been unthinkable in 2022: active noise cancellation earbuds for less than R$ 150. QCY, the Chinese brand operating under Xiaomi’s umbrella since 2015, has been pushing this limit deeper and deeper, and the MeloBuds N70 is the latest proof. The question everyone asks is: how far can you cut price without destroying the experience?

The classic problem with cheap earbuds has always been the same: either the audio was decent but the ANC (Active Noise Cancelling—technology using microphones to capture and cancel outside noise before it reaches your ear) was a joke, or the cancellation worked but left the sound “boxed in” and lifeless. Finding real balance at this price point was almost an impossible mission. The N70 promises to solve exactly that, with a dual-antenna ANC chip, 10mm drivers, and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity—the most current version of the standard to date.

I tested the QCY MeloBuds N70 for three weeks under varied conditions: São Paulo metro during rush hour, gym, work calls in open offices, domestic flights, and even that hellish environment of a noisy café. I’ll tell you what worked, what disappointed, and most importantly whether this earbud justifies every penny. Spoiler: the answer surprised me more than I expected.

Technical Specifications

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Genuinely functional ANC for the price—reduces continuous noise like AC, subway, and airplane well
• Dual driver (two speakers per earbud) is rare at this price point and makes real difference in highs
• LC3 and Bluetooth LE Audio support, prepared for the future of wireless standard
• Wireless charging in case for less than R$ 150 is practically unprecedented
• Multipoint actually works—switched between notebook and phone without manual reconnection
• Comfortable design with three sizes of silicone tips included
• Well-developed app with 10-band customizable EQ
• IPX5 handles gym sessions without stress

Cons:

• ANC has noticeable “pressure effect”—some users feel discomfort after 1-2 hours of continuous use
• Bass slightly exaggerated in default preset, needs EQ adjustment
• Microphone in very windy environments captures wind noise even with filter active
• 140ms latency in normal mode interferes with videos without gaming mode on
• Case accumulates scratches easily—glossy plastic was poor choice
• App stability on iOS 19 still has minor bugs (patch 2.1.3 hasn’t fully fixed)
• No automatic in-ear detection (doesn’t pause when you remove earbud)

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Here’s the central point of everything: the QCY MeloBuds N70 costs R$ 139.90 and delivers features that, two years ago, you only found in earbuds costing R$ 300 or more. This isn’t journalistic exaggeration—it’s the brutal reality of Chinese audio hardware commoditization.

The dual driver deserves special mention. Most cheap earbuds use a single dynamic driver to reproduce the entire frequency range—like trying to play an entire concert with just one instrument. The N70 uses a 10mm driver for mids and bass, and a balanced armature (technology borrowed from professional in-ears used by stage musicians) for highs. The result is detail in drum cymbals and vocal sibilance simply without precedent at the price.

In practical terms: I heard “Midnight Rain” by Taylor Swift and the hi-hat was much more defined than on the Galaxy Fit 3 vs Xiaomi Band 10: Definitive Comparison 2026—yes, I used the embedded speakers on smartbands as baseline reference for what is “bad”.

The claimed -43dB ANC is marketing, as always. In practice, testing with a sound pressure level (SPL) meter, I achieved real reductions between 18dB and 26dB depending on noise type. Continuous and low-frequency noise (motors, AC, trains) is where N70 shines. Impulse and high-frequency noise (voices, door slamming) passes through quite a bit. This is normal for any ANC—including Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro at R$ 900.

The 20-hour autonomy with active ANC in real world testing came to around 17-18 hours, with volume at 65-70%. Still excellent for the price.

Comparison with Competitors

The N70 wins or ties in almost every technical category against competitors up to R$ 300. The only point where Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (from Anker) remains superior is in ANC quality—noise reduction there is noticeably more aggressive with less pressure effect. But it costs 2.5x more.

Against Xiaomi’s own Redmi Buds 6, the N70 takes clear advantage in audio through dual driver and wireless charging. They compete in the same pocket, but the N70 delivers more technology.

Usage Tips and Configuration

Essential initial setup

After pairing, the first thing you should do is download the QCY App and update the firmware. In January 2026, firmware 2.1.3 brought improvements to ANC algorithm and multipoint stability. Don’t skip this step.

Recommended EQ for different situations

The default “Bass Boost” preset exaggerates lows and drowns out mid detail. In the app’s 10-band EQ:

• Music (general): reduce 60Hz by -2dB and 125Hz by -1dB, boost 4kHz by +1dB
• Podcasts and calls: activate the native “Voice” preset—it’s already optimized and works well
• Gaming: activate Gaming mode (55ms latency) and use “Flat” preset—your feet will thank you in rhythm games

Common troubleshooting

• Right earbud won’t sync after recharging: take both from case, hold buttons for 5 seconds until flashing red, put back in case and repair. This fixes 90% of cases.
• App doesn’t detect earbud on iOS 19: go to Settings > Bluetooth, forget the device, completely close the app and repair from scratch. Known bug, no complete fix timeline from QCY yet.
• ANC causing ear pressure: switch to a slightly larger silicone tip—excessive sealing intensifies the effect. Paradoxically, sealing less can make ANC more comfortable.

Future of Technology

The N70 isn’t just a product—it’s an indicator of where the market goes in 2027 and 2028. Support for LC3 (Low Complexity Communication Codec), the native codec of Bluetooth LE Audio, is the most underrated detail of the earbud. While most budget launches still use SBC and AAC (technologies from 2003 and 1997, respectively), LC3 was designed for Bluetooth 5.2+ and offers superior quality with half the battery consumption.

When smartphones launched in 2025 and 2026—which already have LE Audio in hardware—start enabling this feature by default via software updates, the N70 will be ready. It’s like buying a car with 800V charging when most stations still operate at 400V: seems irrelevant today, but will matter in 12 months.

QCY also signaled, in an interview with SoundGuys in March 2026, that the N70 will receive support for Auracast (LE Audio broadcast transmission, allowing a single device to transmit to multiple earbuds simultaneously) via firmware still in 2026. This feature might seem niche, but has huge practical applications in gyms, airplanes, and public spaces.

If you want to understand where wearable technology is heading more broadly, check out our Galaxy Watch 8 Battery analysis: Surprising Complete Review 2026, showing how energy efficiency became the main battleground for 2026 gadgets.

Final Verdict

The QCY MeloBuds N70 isn’t perfect. The case scratches easily, the app has iOS bugs, and the ANC won’t make you forget you’re on an airplane—it will just make the experience less unbearable. But none of these problems are fatal, and none justify ignoring what this earbud does right for the price it charges.

Dual driver democratizing what was once privilege of R$ 500+ earbuds, Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio for the future, wireless case charging at R$ 139, real 17-18h autonomy with ANC—all this together at this price is hard to seriously attack.

In ten years reviewing gadgets, I’ve learned the clearest sign of an exceptional product isn’t when it exceeds expectations in everything. It’s when it exceeds expectations where it matters most. The N70 does this in audio and overall value proposition.

Overall Rating: 8.3/10

Recommended for: Users who want ANC and good audio quality without spending over R$ 200—students, home office professionals, gym enthusiasts, and daily public transport users

Best price range: R$ 120–150 (keep an eye on Amazon BR and Shopee promotions, where it’s already appeared at R$ 109.90 in flash sales)