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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If price is a major concern, the Creative Labs Zen Air may be the better choice as it's much less expensive than the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2. The Zen Air has good overall sound quality, excellent built quality, and very good built-in controls, which are important for calls and general use. They also provide good comfort, noise isolation, are sweatproof, and come with a case that supports wireless charging. On the other hand, the Pi5 S2, while more expensive, offers very good comfort and noise isolation, has a better overall sound quality, and is dustproof certified. They're also optimized for both Android and Apple devices. However, their music and call quality are only fair, and they're not the best choice for gaming or TV. If your focus is on superior sound and noise isolation, and you're willing to invest in a premium product, you might prefer the Pi5 S2, but for budget-conscious consumers who still want good performance and features, the Zen Air would suffice. 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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
- The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Zen Air.
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- The Creative Labs Zen Air has no clear advantages over the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2.
Key differences
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Cost
$181
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has a price of $181 and the Creative Labs Zen Air costs $30.
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Key similarities
Music
6.7
6.8
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both only fair for music.
Gaming
5.3
5.1
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.0
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.6
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
5.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has 5 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Zen Air to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 and the Creative Labs Zen Air compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 | Creative Labs Zen Air |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$181 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2023 | December 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.75 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 19 | 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 | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Chris Golembeski | January 2023
"Bowers and Wilkins isn’t looking to make an obscure, premium wireless bud catered specifically towards audiophiles. Instead, it seems apparent that they’re going for the crown: a cool and popular look, an easy and comfortable fit, and an engaging stage with a great balance that is perfectly suited for mainstream listeners and audiophiles alike."
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 Bowers and Wilkins Pi5 S2 or the Creative Labs Zen Air
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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
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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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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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