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 10, 2024·
If you are on a budget and need earbuds for general use with decent sound quality and good for calls, the Creative Labs Zen Air might be your choice; they are light, have a good battery life, and support wireless charging. However, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, while more expensive, offer superior noise cancellation for air travel and better sound quality for immersive music listening. They are also known for their durability and support for virtual surround sound, which could enhance your experience if you use compatible apps. If you often engage in long listening sessions, their excellent build and comfort may justify the higher price. 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 WH-1000XM5.
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
6.8
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$398
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
5.6
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for TV and video.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Zen Air to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
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 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 249.4 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."
Sony WH-1000XM5
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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.
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. JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
VS
Compare Creative Labs Zen Air vs. Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
VS
Compare Creative Labs Zen Air vs. Skullcandy Dime 2
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
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
94,700
Recommendations made
14,205
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
