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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you're on a tight budget and need earbuds mainly for casual music listening or use during exercise, the Creative Labs Zen Air could be the better choice as they're less expensive, offer good sound quality, and are sweatproof. However, if you prefer over-ear headphones with better soundstage, and require features like active noise cancelling for air travel and superior battery life, you might prefer the Soundcore Space Q45 despite the higher cost. The Q45 headphones also provide a more immersive experience with virtual surround, and according to their build, they may be more durable. Additionally, they come with a virtual surround feature that is lacking in the Zen Air. 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 Q45.
Advantages of the Soundcore Space Q45
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
5.9
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Soundcore Space Q45 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
7.0
8.7
The Soundcore Space Q45 is very good for noise reduction, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is good.
Battery
5.0 Hours
41.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Soundcore Space Q45 has 41 hours of battery life.
Cost
$30
$130
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Soundcore Space Q45 costs $130.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Soundcore Space Q45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
7.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Soundcore Space Q45 to be good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
5.4
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.9
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Soundcore Space Q45 are both poor for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.6
5.6
The Soundcore Space Q45 and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Soundcore Space Q45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Soundcore Space Q45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $130 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 41 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.8 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 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 294.8 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 Q45
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Riley Ballantyne | June 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space Q45 is a great pair of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, and the $150 USD price tag only sweetens the deal. Unlike many mid-tier wireless headphones, the Q45 microphone system rejects quite a bit of background noise, making this a great work headset too."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Soundcore Space Q45
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
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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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