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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize affordability and frequent use for calls, the Creative Labs Zen Air earbuds are a budget-friendly option with good mic and build quality. However, they're not the best for immersive experiences like music or movies and less suitable for gaming or TV due to latency. JLab Jbuds Lux ANC headphones are more expensive but offer better soundstage, and active noise cancelling for quieter environments during air travel or busy areas, plus longer battery life, and a foldable design for portability. They are also more comfortable for extended wear with over-ear cushioning but are not as workout-friendly since they're not sweatproof. If calls and budget are less of a concern, and you prefer a fuller audio experience with noise cancellation, consider the JLab headphones. 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 JLab Jbuds Lux ANC.
Advantages of the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.8
6.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both only fair for music, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
70.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC has 70 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$80
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC costs $80.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
5.8
The JLab Jbuds Lux ANC 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 JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and JLab Jbuds Lux ANC are both good for noise reduction.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the JLab Jbuds Lux ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | JLab Jbuds Lux ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | JLab | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | February 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 6.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 70 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
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 | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 235 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."
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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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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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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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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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