QCY MeloBuds N65 vs Soundcore P31i: Which Budget ANC Earbuds Are Better?

Introduction

You no longer have to spend $150 or $200 to get wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, LDAC support, customizable EQ, and a full-featured companion app.

Two particularly interesting options are the QCY MeloBuds N65 and Soundcore P31i. In the U.S., QCY currently lists the MeloBuds N65 at $39.99, while Soundcore lists the P31i at $49.99 before discounts.

That $10 difference makes this a much closer comparison than the brand names might suggest. The MeloBuds N65 puts a lot of emphasis on ANC and value, while the P31i counters with substantially longer battery life and Soundcore's more established software ecosystem.

Neither is automatically the better choice. The important question is what you want from a pair of inexpensive everyday earbuds.

QCY MeloBuds N65 vs Soundcore P31i: Which Budget ANC Earbuds Are Better?

1. QCY MeloBuds N65 vs Soundcore P31i: Key Differences

Here's how the two compare based on current U.S. manufacturer information and the supplied comparison material.

Feature	QCY MeloBuds N65	Soundcore P31i
U.S. list price	$39.99	$49.99
Driver	Dynamic driver	11mm titanium-coated driver
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 6.0*	Bluetooth 6.1
High-resolution codec	LDAC	LDAC
Claimed ANC	Up to 60 dB	Up to 52 dB
Microphones	8	6
Battery with ANC	6.5 hrs / 26 hrs with case*	8 hrs / 40 hrs with case
Companion app	QCY Audio	soundcore
Water resistance	IPX5	—

*Some detailed N65 specifications in the supplied material aren't clearly displayed in the text of QCY's current U.S. product page, so they shouldn't be treated as independently verified U.S. specifications.

QCY officially advertises up to 60 dB adaptive ANC, eight microphones, LDAC/Hi-Res audio support, IPX5 water resistance, spatial audio, wind-adaptive ANC, and head-gesture controls for the MeloBuds N65.

The P31i officially offers Bluetooth 6.1, LDAC and Hi-Res Audio support, six microphones, an 11mm titanium-coated driver, and adaptive ANC rated for up to 52 dB of noise reduction.

One thing worth remembering is that the advertised ANC numbers don't tell you exactly how two earbuds will compare in the real world. Fit, frequency, ear-tip seal, and ANC tuning all matter.

2. Design and Comfort Favor Different Priorities

Both earbuds look considerably more polished than the ultra-cheap wireless earbuds that defined this category several years ago.

The MeloBuds N65 has a relatively compact, rounded charging case. That can be an advantage if you regularly carry your earbuds in a pants pocket and don't want another bulky case competing with your phone and keys.

The P31i's presentation feels a little more refined. Details around the earbuds and accessories also give it more of a mainstream consumer-electronics feel rather than something built strictly to hit the lowest possible price.

Fit may be the more meaningful difference.

The P31i uses a round nozzle, while the N65 uses a more oval-shaped design. The supplied comparison found the P31i easier to insert and more comfortable, while the N65 felt tighter.

That's useful context rather than a universal result. Ear shape varies considerably, so you shouldn't assume one model will fit everyone better.

For workouts, the N65 has another practical advantage: QCY officially gives it an IPX5 water-resistance rating.

3. Soundcore Has the More Polished App, but QCY Offers Plenty of Controls

Budget hardware has improved quickly, but software is still one area where inexpensive earbuds can show their price.

QCY has significantly expanded what you can adjust with the MeloBuds N65. The QCY Audio app provides access to ANC settings, EQ adjustment, customizable touch controls, an ear-tip fit test, earbud-finding features, and other settings.

That's a lot of customization for earbuds around $40.

Soundcore's software experience is one of the P31i's stronger arguments, though. The soundcore app provides noise-control options, sound customization, control settings, a fit test, and LDAC-related options.

The P31i also supports dual-device connectivity, which is particularly useful if you regularly move between a laptop and phone.

For someone who changes EQ settings frequently or likes digging through earbud options, the software experience shouldn't be dismissed as a minor feature. You'll continue using the app long after you've forgotten what the packaging looked like.

4. QCY Makes the Stronger Case for Noise Cancellation

Noise cancellation is arguably the most important part of this comparison.

On paper, QCY advertises up to 60 dB adaptive ANC for the MeloBuds N65, while Soundcore advertises up to 52 dB for the P31i.

Again, those numbers shouldn't be interpreted as a simple 60-versus-52 performance score.

More importantly, the supplied listening comparison reported a noticeable advantage for the MeloBuds N65 when reproducing subway noise. The N65 was described as more consistently reducing ambient sound, while the P31i's ANC came across as considerably weaker in that particular comparison.

That's a reported subjective result, not an independent laboratory measurement. Still, it points toward the N65 if ANC is your main reason for buying new earbuds.

Neither model should be purchased with the expectation that it will necessarily match premium ANC earbuds. The attraction here is getting meaningful noise reduction without paying premium-earbud prices.

Sound quality produces a less obvious winner.

The supplied listening impressions characterized the P31i as the more energetic option, with greater emphasis and impact. The N65 was described as smoother and somewhat more refined.

That makes the choice largely about preference:

• Choose the P31i if you enjoy a punchier, more energetic presentation.
• Consider the N65 if you'd rather have a smoother overall balance.
• Both support LDAC if you're using a compatible source device.
• iPhone users should remember that iOS doesn't support LDAC, so that feature primarily benefits compatible Android devices.

The P31i uses an 11mm titanium-coated driver, which Soundcore promotes as delivering stronger, tighter bass than its previous P30i. That comparison is based on Soundcore's own internal claims rather than independent testing.

5. Soundcore P31i Has a Major Battery-Life Advantage

Battery life is where the P31i turns the comparison around.

Soundcore rates the P31i for up to 10 hours from the earbuds and 50 hours with the charging case under its standard playback figures. With ANC enabled, those numbers drop to a still-impressive 8 hours and 40 hours respectively.

A 10-minute fast charge is also rated to provide up to 3.5 hours of playback.

The supplied N65 specifications list approximately 6.5 hours from the earbuds and 26 hours with the case when ANC is enabled.

That's a substantial difference.

If you mostly use earbuds for an hour or two at the gym, either should be adequate. But the P31i becomes much more attractive for:

• Frequent travelers
• Long workdays
• Extended listening sessions
• People who regularly forget to charge their earbuds
• Anyone who wants fewer charging-case top-ups

The larger overall battery allowance is one of the strongest reasons to spend the additional $10 on the Soundcore.

6. Which Budget ANC Earbuds Should You Buy?

At their current U.S. list prices, the decision is fairly straightforward.

The QCY MeloBuds N65 makes more sense if your priorities are aggressive value, a compact case, and noise cancellation. At $39.99, QCY is packing features such as adaptive ANC, LDAC, eight microphones, IPX5 water resistance, spatial audio, and extensive customization into a remarkably inexpensive package.

The Soundcore P31i is the more compelling option if battery life, app polish, and everyday convenience matter more. Its 8-hour ANC battery rating and 40-hour total with the case are particularly difficult to ignore.

Price can change the equation, too. Soundcore's U.S. site was showing the P31i discounted below its $49.99 regular price at the time of verification. Because promotions can disappear quickly, it's better to compare the actual checkout prices rather than assume there's always a $10 gap.

Conclusion

QCY isn't the automatic budget-earbud choice anymore.

The MeloBuds N65 still demonstrates why QCY has become so competitive at the inexpensive end of the market. For $39.99, its combination of adaptive ANC, LDAC, extensive controls, and IPX5 water resistance gives you a lot of functionality for the money.

But the Soundcore P31i attacks the category from a different direction. Its stronger battery specifications and more polished software experience can easily justify paying a little more, especially if you plan to use your earbuds for hours every day.

So rather than declaring one universal winner, I'd break it down this way: pick the MeloBuds N65 if ANC and maximum value are your priorities; pick the P31i if battery life and software experience matter more.

And if the P31i happens to be heavily discounted when you're shopping, the decision becomes considerably closer.