A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget, the Creative Labs Zen Air offers good overall value with excellent build quality and satisfactory sound for music and casual use. However, they are not recommended for calls or gaming due to poor performance in those areas and lack virtual surround, so if you watch a lot of TV or play video games on a device, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro might be worth the extra cost. The Buds 2 Pro have better sound quality, active noise cancelling for travel, and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices. They also support wireless charging and have low-latency options, which can enhance your experience while gaming or watching videos. The choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings or a richer set of features and higher performance in a wider range of 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 Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
7.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for phone calls, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
TV and Video
5.6
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Cost
$30
$188
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Battery
5.0 Hours
4.8 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both have excellent build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $188 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Samsung | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 4.8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 5.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Zen Air
See more
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."
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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 Samsung
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Creative Labs Zen Air vs. Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
VS
Compare Creative Labs Zen Air vs. Soundcore P20i
VS
Compare Creative Labs Zen Air vs. Skullcandy Dime 2
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Rode NTH-100M
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Sennheiser 560S
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro vs. Sony WF1000XM3
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
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.
Jason Lew
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.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
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.
Featured in
