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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for convenient, high-quality earbuds for frequent use during travel, exercise, or calls, and prefer features like active noise cancelling and a wireless design, the Apple AirPods Pro might be worth the additional cost. These earbuds excel in portability, noise isolation, and come with sweatproof certification, making them suitable for an active lifestyle, but have a shorter battery life without the case. On the other hand, if you're on a budget and want a basic pair of headphones primarily for casual music listening, the Sony MDR-ZX110 offers a wired, foldable option with a longer single-use battery life but without the advanced features such as noise cancellation and wireless connectivity. 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 Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony MDR-ZX110
- Good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.6
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
5.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 and Apple Airpods Pro are both poor for gaming, though the Sony MDR-ZX110 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
7.4
3.0
The Apple Airpods Pro is good for phone calls, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.3
4.3
The Apple Airpods Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
6.9
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1
5.3
The Apple Airpods Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Pro has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDR-ZX110 does not have a battery.
Cost
$260
$10
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Pro has a price of $260 and the Sony MDR-ZX110 costs $10.
Build Quality
9.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Pro has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDR-ZX110 has only fair build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro and the Sony MDR-ZX110 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Pro | Sony MDR-ZX110 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$260 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2019 | July 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.4/10 | 3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.1/10 | 3.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 6/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.4 Grams | 119.9 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Pro
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Sound Guys
Adam Molina | January 2023
"For just $50 USD more than the original model with the wireless charging case, this is definitely the pair of buds to get. The AirPods Pro (1st generation) sounds better than the originals and has a way better fit and active noise canceling to boot. If you have an iOS device, just get this."
Sony MDR-ZX110
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Audio.org
Audio.org | December 2022
"My opinion about Sony MDR ZX110 is they are the best budget headphones of Sony with top-class sound. Clear vocals, great bass, and balanced sound with low sound distortion. The treble could be sharper, but it's ok. 30 mm neodymium dynamic drivers give clear and precise audio, and an inline remote with a mic give decent call quality. Closed-Back Design also helps to improve sound performance."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro or the Sony MDR-ZX110
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
By the numbers
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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
124,100
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Luis Torres
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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