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What we think
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Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget, the Creative Labs Zen Air will save you money over the Moondrop Nekocake, while still providing good overall sound quality and comfort. However, if microphone quality is important for calls and meetings, you may prefer the Zen Air, despite it having a poorer performance for this use compared to other activities. The Nekocake offers app controls customization which the Zen Air lacks, a plus if you enjoy tailoring your sound experience. For travelers, Zen Air's active noise cancelling can be a big advantage, along with slightly better battery life and wireless charging, providing convenience on the go. If exercise use is frequent and moisture resistance is a must, Zen Air's sweatproof certification gives it an edge, whereas the Nekocake may be a better fit for someone who prioritizes portability and app equalizer features to customize sound. Neither is well-suited for gaming or TV due to high latency, so consider other options for these activities. 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 Moondrop Nekocake.
Advantages of the Moondrop Nekocake
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
5.7
The Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair for music, while the Moondrop Nekocake is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
6.1
The Moondrop Nekocake is only fair for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
7.7
The Moondrop Nekocake is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
5.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for TV and video, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Moondrop Nekocake has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$39
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Moondrop Nekocake costs $39.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Moondrop Nekocake has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
4.6
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Moondrop Nekocake are both poor for gaming.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Moondrop Nekocake are both good for noise reduction.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Moondrop Nekocake compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Moondrop Nekocake |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $39 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Moondrop | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | October 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 6.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 4.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 12 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 5.4 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."
Moondrop Nekocake
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonics
Jarvin | January 2022
"What sets the Nekocake apart from its competition at this price point is the Moondrop Link app that allows the user to change the tonal balance of the Nekocake. This makes sure that it’s versatile enough to suit different sonic preferences while allowing some customization of controls."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Moondrop Nekocake
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 Moondrop
Moondrop is a Chinese brand of smart audio equipment, portable audio players, earbuds and headphones started in 2015. During the last few years they have become one of the major players in what is lovingly referred to as the Chi-fi market, the bulk of Chinese companies that have managed to actually compete with the western manufacturers in both prices and superior quality. Products such as the Blessing II, Chu and Kato are among the most popular offerings of the brand, more popular among those users that wish for good quality audio that won't break the bank. Besides audio, the brand also works in what they call the ACGN field (Animation, Comics, Games and Short Novels).
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