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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for wireless convenience and exercise suitability, the Creative Labs Zen Air earbuds might be your choice—they're wireless, sweatproof, and have a good battery life, with the added benefit of active noise cancelling for noisier environments. However, if you're on a tight budget, prefer wired audio without worrying about charging, and mostly plan to use them for TV and video where their excellent audio performance shines, then the Sony MDREX15AP earbuds could be the better option. Keep in mind, the Sonys lack the modern features like wireless connectivity, app equalization, and they aren't optimized for sweating it out in the gym. 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 Sony MDREX15AP
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
6.7
The Sony MDREX15AP is only fair for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
3.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Sony MDREX15AP are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
9.3
The Sony MDREX15AP is excellent for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony MDREX15AP does not have a battery.
Cost
$19
$10
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $19 and the Sony MDREX15AP costs $10.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Sony MDREX15AP has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
5.4
The Sony MDREX15AP and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
7.0
7.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Sony MDREX15AP are both good for noise reduction.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Sony MDREX15AP compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Sony MDREX15AP |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$19 | $10 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | March 1, 2014 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 4.6/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 3.1 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."
Sony MDREX15AP
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Dig into reviews and images
Make It Sound Great
Pete Anthony | June 2022
"At the ultra budget $10 price-point (and we’ve seen the no-mic version go for as cheap as $7), I’d say these are a decent option if you’re looking for a passable pair of earbuds for basic use that’s as cheap as possible. I wouldn’t say they feel or sound as good as some of the ultra-budget alternatives out there – of which there are a few at this point – but some might disagree. I will say though that the cable is a little bit nicer than those of that same competition."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Sony MDREX15AP
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 Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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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.
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.
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