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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The KZ ZSN Pro with Mic offers good sound quality, comfort, and build quality for a budget price, along with a detachable cable which can be desirable for durability. They are wired, so you will have to manage a cable, but they perform well for gaming and TV due to their low latency. The Sony WF1000XM5, on the other hand, are premium-priced earbuds with better overall sound quality and a higher soundstage score, suggesting more immersive audio. They are true wireless, offering convenience and portability with good battery life and additional features like active noise cancelling, wireless charging, and app-based controls customization. The Sony's also have ear detection and are optimized for both Android and Apple devices, while offering better suitability for air travel due to their noise isolation and form factor. If wireless convenience, noise isolation for traveling, and app customization are important to you and you can afford the higher price, go for the Sony WF1000XM5. If you're on a budget and need earbuds with a mic for gaming, TV, and general use while preferring wired stability and detachable cables, the KZ ZSN Pro is a solid choice. 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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WF1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
8.0
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
TV and Video
7.4
5.4
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good for TV and video, while the Sony WF1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Sony WF1000XM5 is very good for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) does not have a battery. The Sony WF1000XM5 has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$24
$298
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has a price of $24 and the Sony WF1000XM5 costs $298.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the Sony WF1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.7
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sony WF1000XM5 to be very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is good.
Phone Calls
5.1
5.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Sony WF1000XM5 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.9
4.9
The Sony WF1000XM5 and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and the Sony WF1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) | Sony WF1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$24 | $298 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | July 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.8/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.5/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | 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 | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) or the Sony WF1000XM5
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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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
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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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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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