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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're on a budget and need earbuds for daily travel and general use, the Creative Labs Zen Air are a wallet-friendly choice with good overall sound and a comfortable fit. However, they might not be suitable for calls or media consumption where sound quality is key. On the other hand, the Soundcore Space One headphones, while more expensive, offer better noise isolation and are comfortable for extended use, such as air travel. They also have a longer battery life and wireless charging, but note that they may not be the best for high-motion activities as they’re not sweatproof. 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 Soundcore Space One.
Advantages of the Soundcore Space One
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.8
The Soundcore Space One is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.2
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Soundcore Space One are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
4.7
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Soundcore Space One are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.0
The Soundcore Space One is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
30.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space One has 30 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$100
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Soundcore Space One costs $100.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space One has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
4.8
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Soundcore Space One are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.6
5.3
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Soundcore Space One are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Soundcore Space One compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Soundcore Space One |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 4.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 30 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 263 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."
Soundcore Space One
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space One noise-cancelling headphones are stylish, comfortable, and affordable. They offer better active noise cancellation than we expect for the price, and their sculpted audio impresses thanks to the adjustable EQ and support for the hi-res LDAC codec. Overall, they’re an excellent value and well worth your attention if you're on a budget."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Soundcore Space One
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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.
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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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