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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a budget and prioritize excellent build quality and active noise canceling for use during air travel, the Creative Labs Zen Air could be a good match. They also support the AAC codec, which is suitable for Apple device users. However, they might not be ideal for activities that demand low latency. On the other hand, the JBL Live Beam 3, while priced at a premium, offers very good overall sound quality, better noise isolation, and features like an LED touch display in the charging case for convenient control. They are also sweatproof, dustproof, and support the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio, making them suitable for exercise and optimized for both Android and Apple devices. For those who value sound quality and added features, the JBL Live Beam 3 could be worth the extra cost. 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
- The Creative Labs Zen Air has no clear advantages over the JBL Live Beam 3.
Advantages of the JBL Live Beam 3
- Good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.8
The JBL Live Beam 3 is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
5.9
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Beam 3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.3
The JBL Live Beam 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
12.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The JBL Live Beam 3 has 12 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$216
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the JBL Live Beam 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the JBL Live Beam 3 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JBL Live Beam 3 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Creative Labs Zen Air and JBL Live Beam 3 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the JBL Live Beam 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | JBL Live Beam 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 12 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the JBL Live Beam 3
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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
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.
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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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