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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and looking for a versatile set of wireless earbuds that offer good comfort and are suitable for calls and exercise, the Creative Labs Zen Air might be the right choice for you; they even support wireless charging and have a stem design which typically offers better microphone positioning for calls. Conversely, if you prioritize the highest quality audio for music listening at home and don't mind a wired connection, then the premium-priced HifiMan Sundara headphones with their excellent soundstage, comfort, and open-back design are preferable. However, keep in mind that they're not ideal for outdoor use, have no built-in microphone for calls, and require an amplifier for best performance. 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 Zen Air
- Very good for air travel
Advantages of the HifiMan Sundara
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
9.3
The HifiMan Sundara is excellent for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
7.2
The HifiMan Sundara is good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
7.8
The HifiMan Sundara is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
8.8
The HifiMan Sundara is very good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
2.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the HifiMan Sundara is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The HifiMan Sundara does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$279
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the HifiMan Sundara costs $279.
Build Quality
9.0
8.2
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the HifiMan Sundara has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Creative Labs Zen Air and HifiMan Sundara are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the HifiMan Sundara compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | HifiMan Sundara |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $279 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | May 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 4.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 394.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
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."
HifiMan Sundara
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | July 2023
"The HiFiMan Sundara is the set of headphones to get if you want high-end audio, but don't want to shell out a king's ransom for it. These planar magnetic headphones are comfortable, straightforward, and excellent performers."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the HifiMan Sundara
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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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 Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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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