QCY MeloBuds Pro Review: Is $24.38 Worth It? (Honest)
Good wireless earbuds with real noise cancelling usually cost $80 or more. The QCY MeloBuds Pro sells for about $24 on AliExpress. So the question is simple. Does it actually deliver, or is the low price a warning sign? I dug into the specs, the buyer feedback, and the independent reviews to find out.
This review covers the sound, the ANC, the battery, and the honest catches. It also shows how the MeloBuds Pro compares with its own successor and with rivals at the same price. If you want the best wireless earbuds under $50, this is where the search should start.
The short version: The QCY MeloBuds Pro is one of the best wireless earbuds under $50 you can buy right now. It pairs 46dB hybrid ANC with LDAC Hi-Res audio, 34 hours of total battery, and a 4.8-star rating from nearly 30,000 buyers. At $24.38, it beats earbuds that cost three times as much on features. Still, it has real limits. You cannot customise the ANC mode cycle, LDAC can stutter in crowded places, and the newer MeloBuds N70 is the stronger pick if your budget stretches to $40 or more.
Best for: Anyone who wants strong ANC and Hi-Res sound for under $25.
The QCY MeloBuds Pro (model HT08) are true wireless earbuds with adaptive hybrid active noise cancelling up to 46dB, Hi-Res audio with LDAC, and up to 34 hours of total playback with the charging case. They cost about $24 on AliExpress, which puts flagship-style features into a budget price.
In the box you get the earbuds, the charging case, a USB-C cable, and several sizes of silicone ear tips. The case supports wireless charging. The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.3 and connect to the free QCY app for EQ settings, ANC modes, and firmware updates.
Who is it for? It suits commuters, office workers, students, and anyone who wants quiet on a budget. It also suits Android users who want LDAC Hi-Res sound without paying flagship prices. It is not a sports earbud with ear hooks, and it is not the best pick if you need multipoint pairing across two devices at once.
Who Created QCY MeloBuds Pro?
QCY is a Chinese audio brand that has sold budget earbuds for years. It built its name on low prices with specs that punch above their cost. The MeloBuds line is its main earbud family. The Pro (HT08) launched as the mid-range ANC model, and the newer MeloBuds N70 took over as the flagship in 2026.
That track record matters. QCY is not a fly-by-night store. Its official store sells on AliExpress and Amazon, and independent reviewers have tested its earbuds for years. Scarbir.com, which tested over 545 earbuds under $100, ranks the MeloBuds Pro as the runner-up among the best QCY earbuds in November 2026. Head-Fi reviewers call it the most complete option at its price.
One warning still applies. The AliExpress listing title is keyword-stuffed and mentions other brands. So confirm the exact model name (HT08 MeloBuds Pro) on the product page before you order. Buy from the QCY official store or a high-rated store, not from a random reseller.
QCY MeloBuds Pro Features — In Detail
46dB Adaptive Hybrid ANC
The headline feature is adaptive hybrid noise cancelling up to 46dB. It detects ambient noise and adjusts the cancelling strength on its own. In practice, it cuts low rumbles like bus engines and office hum very well. Higher sounds, like voices, still leak through a little. That is normal at this price.
There is one real annoyance. You cycle through three modes from the earbuds: ANC off, transparency, and ANC on. You cannot customise that cycle. Nobody uses ANC off, yet you must tap past it every time. It is a small flaw, but it affects you daily.
Hi-Res Audio With LDAC
The Pro supports LDAC, Sony’s high-resolution Bluetooth codec, plus Hi-Res Audio certification. A 12mm dynamic driver sits inside each earbud. The sound is clear, with strong and lasting bass. Reviewers praise the clarity most of all. The MeloBuds Pro sounds cleaner than its rivals at the same price.
Still, LDAC has a weak spot. It can stutter in busy places with lots of wireless traffic, like a crowded train station. If that happens, switch to the standard AAC codec in the app. The sound stays good, and the connection stays stable.
Battery Life And Charging
Each earbud lasts up to 8.5 hours with ANC off, 7.5 hours with ANC on, and 4.5 hours with LDAC and ANC together. The case adds more charges, for up to 34 hours in total. That is enough for a full work week of commuting without a top-up.
The case charges over USB-C, and it also supports wireless charging. A short top-up gives you a few more hours when you are in a rush. For most people, the battery is simply not a worry.
Calls, Wear Detection, And App
Six microphones with AI handle calls. Voices come through clearly in quiet rooms and acceptably on the street. Smart wear detection pauses the music when you take an earbud out, and it resumes when you put it back in.
The QCY app adds EQ presets, ANC controls, and firmware updates. It is free, with no subscription. The 360-degree spatial sound mode and the 80ms low-latency mode help with movies and games, though neither is a reason to buy on its own.
QCY MeloBuds Pro Pricing
The MeloBuds Pro costs $24.38 on AliExpress at the time of writing. The same model lists at $47.99 on QCY’s official site. So the AliExpress price is roughly half the official price. Prices on AliExpress move often, so confirm the live price before you buy.
There is no subscription and no hidden cost. The QCY app is free. Ear tips are in the box. Your only extra cost might be a USB-C charger if you do not own one already. There are no order bumps and no upsells on this listing.
Battery life drops to 4.5 hours with LDAC and ANC on together.
Who Should Buy QCY MeloBuds Pro?
Best For
Commuters who want real ANC for under $25.
Android users who want LDAC Hi-Res sound cheaply.
Students and office workers on a tight budget.
Anyone who wants long battery life with a case.
Not For
Buyers who need multipoint pairing across two devices.
Runners who want ear hooks for a locked-in fit.
Anyone whose budget stretches to $40 or more — the N70 is better.
Buyers who want a big-brand warranty and local support.
QCY MeloBuds Pro Vs Alternatives
Vs QCY MeloBuds N70
The N70 is the successor and the current flagship. It costs $40 to $70, adds Bluetooth 6.0, and has stronger ANC with a bigger sound. Scarbir ranks it best overall among QCY earbuds. Buy the N70 if your budget reaches $40. Buy the Pro if $25 is your ceiling. The Pro gives you most of the experience for half the price.
Vs SoundPEATS Capsule3 Pro
The Capsule3 Pro sits in the same $25 to $30 class, with LDAC and ANC of its own. It is a strong rival. Head-Fi still calls the MeloBuds Pro the more complete package at this price, thanks to its wider feature set and better call quality. Either is a good buy, but the Pro edges ahead.
Vs Moondrop Space Travel
The Space Travel is famous for its sound at a tiny price. It wins on pure audio tuning for some listeners. It loses on features, though. Its ANC and app support are weaker than the Pro’s. Pick the Space Travel for sound alone. Pick the Pro for the full package.
My Exclusive QCY MeloBuds Pro Bonus
When you pick up the QCY MeloBuds Pro through my link, I am adding one original bonus I created specifically to complement these earbuds — not a recycled freebie:
Bonus 1: ANC Earbuds Fit & Care Guide — ear-tip fitting, ANC mode tips, LDAC setup, cleaning, and battery care, so you get the best sound from day one.
Click the download button above to get the bonus instantly — no forms, no waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QCY MeloBuds Pro a scam or legit?
It is legit. QCY is a real audio brand with years of sales, an official store, and independent reviews from Head-Fi, scarbir.com, and versus.com. The 4.8-star rating comes from nearly 30,000 buyers. Just buy from the official store or a high-rated seller, and confirm the model name (HT08) on the product page.
Does it work with iPhone?
Yes. It pairs over standard Bluetooth, so it works with iPhone, Android, and laptops. iPhone users get AAC instead of LDAC, because Apple does not support LDAC. The sound is still good, and the ANC works the same.
How good is the ANC?
It is strong for the price. It cuts low rumbles like engines and office hum very well. Voices and sudden sharp sounds still leak through a little. It will not match a $200 flagship, but it beats every rival near $25.
How long does the battery last?
Each earbud lasts up to 8.5 hours with ANC off and 7.5 hours with ANC on. With LDAC and ANC together, expect about 4.5 hours. The case brings the total to 34 hours. The case charges over USB-C and also supports wireless charging.
Should I buy the Pro or the N70?
Buy the Pro if your budget is under $30. It gives you most of the N70 experience for half the price. Buy the N70 if you can spend $40 or more. It has stronger ANC, Bluetooth 6.0, and a bigger sound.
Final Verdict: Is QCY MeloBuds Pro Worth It?
The QCY MeloBuds Pro earns its 4.8-star rating. At $24.38, you get 46dB adaptive ANC, LDAC Hi-Res audio, 34 hours of battery, and wireless charging. No rival near this price matches that list. The flaws are real but small: a fixed ANC cycle, LDAC stutters in crowds, and a newer sibling that costs more.
Buy it if: you want the best wireless earbuds under $50 and your budget is tight.
Skip it if: you need multipoint pairing, or your budget reaches $40 for the N70.
✍️ My Personal Verdict
I went into this review expecting a compromise, because $24 rarely buys real ANC. The evidence changed my mind. Nearly 30,000 buyers rate these earbuds 4.8 stars, and independent testers who tried hundreds of rivals keep coming back to the same point: nothing near this price does more. The fixed ANC cycle would annoy me, and I would pick the N70 if I had $40 to spend. But at $24, the MeloBuds Pro is the honest pick for anyone who wants quiet, clear sound, and long battery life without paying flagship money.
This review contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep these honest reviews free. I only recommend products I believe offer real value, and I always list the honest downsides too.
