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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 wireless convenience, the Creative Labs Zen Air are a more affordable choice that also boasts good mic quality and active noise cancelling for environments like air travel. They are suitable for Android and Apple users and support wireless charging. However, if you prioritize sound quality for gaming and can manage with a wired connection, the Steelseries TUSQ with its very good gaming score and durable build, including a boom mic for clear communication, could be worth the extra cost. They also have a longer cable and ear hooks for a secure fit during activities. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.8
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for music, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is only fair.
Gaming
5.1
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
4.7
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Zen Air is poor.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air is good for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
5.0 Hours
N/A
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$30
$55
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $30 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $55.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
5.1
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Creative Labs Zen Air are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$30 | $55 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 4.2/10 | |
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 | 6/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
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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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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.
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.
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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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