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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and podcasts, the Beats Powerbeats Pro offer a better experience, and their ear hook design makes them more suitable for exercise. For Apple device users, they also provide improved adaptive sound and lower latency due to the H1 chip. On the downside, they aren't optimal for gaming or TV due to poor performance in those areas. In contrast, the Creative Labs Zen Air is more budget-friendly with good comfort and noise isolation, and it offers features like app equalizer customization and virtual surround sound, but it has lower battery life and the sound quality isn't as high as the Beats. If you need something for occasional use and are cost-conscious, the Zen Air might be a viable option, especially considering its dustproof certification and wireless charging capability. 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 Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.0
5.1
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
5.4
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$124
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
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Key similarities
Music
6.5
6.8
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.1
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Zen Air to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
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 Beats Powerbeats Pro 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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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
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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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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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