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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If high-quality audio and build are top priorities, the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX offers excellent overall sound and best-in-class build quality, making it suitable for a premium listening experience. They also have active noise cancelling for better sound isolation ideal for air travel and busy environments. However, they come at a premium price. On the other hand, the Creative Labs Zen Air is much more affordable and offers good sound quality and excellent build quality but lacks active noise cancelling, which may not isolate sound as effectively. They’re a budget-friendly choice suitable for casual listening without the premium features of the Beoplay EX. 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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- The Creative Labs Zen Air has no clear advantages over the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX.
Key differences
Music
7.9
6.8
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
9.3
5.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.1
5.4
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
8.9
5.6
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
6.5 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$30
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has a price of $399 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
Build Quality
10.0
9.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.3
5.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bang and Olufsen | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 9/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6.5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 22 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 10/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Creative Labs Zen Air
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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 Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX or the Creative Labs Zen Air
About Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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