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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Considering the price difference, the Beats EP is a wired on-ear headphone with good overall sound quality and very good build quality, suitable for music listening and watching TV, but with poor mic quality and limited portability due to lack of wireless connectivity. Meanwhile, Creative Labs Zen Air is a budget-friendly truly wireless earbud that offers good mic quality and is sweatproof, featuring active noise cancelling and wireless charging, but it might not provide the best experience for calls or gaming. If you value wireless convenience, workout readiness, and portability over higher sound quality and sturdier build, Creative Labs Zen Air is the better choice. If you prioritize better sound for music and TV in a more robust build, and don't mind a wired connection, the Beats EP could suit you better. 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 Beats EP
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.8
The Beats EP is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
6.3
5.1
The Beats EP is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
4.2
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Beats EP are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.8
5.4
The Beats EP is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
7.6
5.6
The Beats EP is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the Beats EP is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Beats EP does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$100
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats EP has a price of $100 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
Build Quality
8.0
9.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Beats EP has very good build quality.
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How the Beats EP and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats EP | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$100 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 1, 2018 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 5.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | 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 | 8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 226.7 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats EP
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Ulf Kaiser | 2015
"With the EP model, Beats delivers a stylish headphone with cable connection and hands-free functionality that should please consumers seeking a balanced sound for playback on mobile devices."
Creative Labs Zen Air
See more
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 Beats EP or the Creative Labs Zen Air
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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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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