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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 primarily listen to music, the KZ ZSN Pro X are a solid choice, but they have a poor microphone, making them less ideal for calls. They also don't support wireless connectivity. The Sony WH-1000XM5, while more expensive, provides active noise cancelling, superior microphone quality, and better wireless features, including battery life. These headphones are great for air travel and noisy environments, but they're bulkier and not suitable for use during exercise. If gaming or watching TV is important to you, neither option is optimal due to audio latency issues. 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 X
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.0
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is good.
Phone Calls
3.1
5.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and KZ ZSN Pro X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sony WH-1000XM5 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.7
6.0
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
TV and Video
7.3
5.8
The KZ ZSN Pro X is good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is excellent for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
40.3 Hours
The KZ ZSN Pro X does not have a battery. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$24
$300
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The KZ ZSN Pro X has a price of $24 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $300.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.9
5.6
The KZ ZSN Pro X and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both poor for gaming.
Build Quality
8.5
8.8
The Sony WH-1000XM5 and KZ ZSN Pro X both have very good build quality.
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How the KZ ZSN Pro X and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| KZ ZSN Pro X | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$24 | $300 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | KZ | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2020 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.3/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.2/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 2.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 27 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
KZ ZSN Pro X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"The KZ ZSN PRO X offers superb sound for very little money, like under $30 USD. It has some rough edges with a plastic seam on the cable that can rub on your ear, and the bud is a bit large. The tech isn't cutting edge, but new doesn't always equal better. You should try it."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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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 KZ ZSN Pro X or the Sony WH-1000XM5
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
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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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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