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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality, comfort, battery life, and better integration with Apple devices, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are the way to go, especially for using during exercise, air travel, and listening to music or podcasts. However, if you are on a budget and want earbuds that are sweatproof and have active noise cancelling, the Creative Labs Zen Air would be a more cost-effective choice. They also offer an app with equalizer and audio control features, which the Airpods lack. Bear in mind, Airpods excel in build quality and are optimized for Apple, while Zen Air may be better suited for Android users. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- The Creative Labs Zen Air has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods (3rd generation).
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
5.4
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$179
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
6.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods (3rd generation) to be good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
5.1
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.6
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Creative Labs Zen Air both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Creative Labs Zen Air
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphone Check
Maike Paeßens | February 2023
"The Creative Zen Air’s weak points are its low battery life and rather short Bluetooth range. On the other hand, the strengths of these weatherproof True Wireless in-Ears are the sound and the wide attenuation of the Active Noise Cancellation. Considering the price range, the speech intelligibility during calls is also exceptionally good."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Creative Labs Zen Air
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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