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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering your budget constraints and choice between Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Rode NTH-100, opt for Creative Labs if you prioritize affordability, portability, and the convenience of wireless earbuds suitable for exercise; it also supports charging on-the-go with its case – a feature useful for longer wear times. On the other hand, choose Rode NTH-100 if you prefer an over-ear headphone experience, better overall sound quality, and a more expansive soundstage for a more immersive listening experience, but note that they are wired headphones, which might restrict movement, and they are less convenient to carry around. Keep in mind that only the Creative Labs model provides an in-built microphone, which is crucial for calls and online meetings. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Rode NTH-100
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
5.7
8.2
The Rode NTH-100 is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
5.1
6.5
The Rode NTH-100 is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.6
4.8
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.9
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Rode NTH-100 is good.
TV and Video
5.4
7.7
The Rode NTH-100 is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.5
5.3
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Rode NTH-100 is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life. The Rode NTH-100 does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$149
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has a price of $30 and the Rode NTH-100 costs $149.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Rode NTH-100 has very good build quality.
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How the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and the Rode NTH-100 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 | Rode NTH-100 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $149 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Rode | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2021 | March 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.7/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 8/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 40 | N/A | |
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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.8/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5.2 Grams | 349.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
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."
Rode NTH-100
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PC Gamer
Kizito Katawonga | March 2023
"The NTH-100M is a closed-back headset aimed at professional audiophiles—streamers, podcasters and content creators included—looking for masterful audio and a detachable 'broadcast-grade' microphone."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 or the Rode NTH-100
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 Rode
Rode is an Australian audio equipment manufacturer. Rode was founded in 1967 as Freedman Electronics, transitioning into its modern brand in 1990, and it’s mainly known for their high-end microphones and audio production equipment. In 2022 they entered into the headphone market with their NTH-100 closed back headphone which was received with very good reviews from the community.
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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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