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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and need earbuds for general use, the Creative Labs Zen Air offers good sound quality and excellent build quality at a much lower price. However, if you prioritize superior overall sound quality, effective noise cancellation for air travel, wireless charging, and extended battery life, and don't mind spending more, the Sony WF1000XM5 would be a better choice. The Sony also supports a high-quality LDAC codec, which can enhance your listening experience if your device supports it, and includes an equalizer and customization through their app. Additionally, the Sony earbuds are sweatproof and have more features geared toward users with both Android and Apple devices. 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 Sony WF1000XM5.
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.0
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$298
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.1
The Sony WF1000XM5 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
4.9
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.6
5.4
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | July 1, 2023 | |
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 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 6 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."
Sony WF1000XM5
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Harley Maranan | July 2023
"The Sony WF-1000XM5 is among the best noise canceling earbuds currently on the market, and they aren’t cheap. These earbuds aren’t the best choice for budget-conscious listeners. But if you prioritize active noise cancelation, sound quality, and extensive software support, the WF-1000XM5 is worth its premium price tag."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Sony WF1000XM5
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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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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
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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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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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