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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for value for money and aren't too particular about having the absolute best sound quality, the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 might suit you, as they are less expensive and offer a solid overall experience. However, if you prioritize higher fidelity sound and don't mind spending more, the Grado GT220 could be a better choice. Keep in mind, though, that spending more doesn't always mean a proportional increase in quality, so consider if the Grado's sound is worth the premium to you. Additionally, if features like battery life, comfort, or a charging case are important to you, check how each of these earbuds performs in those areas to ensure you make a decision that aligns with your priorities. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Grado GT220
- The Grado GT220 has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3.
Key differences
Music
5.7
6.3
The Grado GT220 is only fair for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
6.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.5
5.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$259
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has a price of $30 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.1
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Grado GT220 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
8.8
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Grado GT220 are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.4
5.5
The Grado GT220 and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 to have excellent build quality, while the Grado GT220 has very good build quality.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5.5 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 | 40 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6.5/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.2 Grams | 5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 or the Grado GT220
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.
About Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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