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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and prefer wireless convenience for general use, the Creative Labs Zen Air offers excellent build quality, very good built-in controls, and active noise cancelling at a lower price point; they're also stem-styled earbuds that are optimized for both Android and Apple devices and support wireless charging. However, if you prioritize audio quality for music and TV, and don't mind a wired connection or a heavier, less portable over-ear design, the Audio Technica ATH M20X provides better overall sound and soundstage. The Audio Technica might not be as comfortable and lacks modern features like an app equalizer, low latency, and is not optimized for calls, gaming, or exercise. 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 Audio Technica ATH M20X
- Good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.8
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M20X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$49
$30
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
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 Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Creative Labs Zen Air
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
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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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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