Sony MDR-ZX110
The 30mm neodymium drivers and Acoustic Bass Booster technology emphasize bass-heavy sound within a 12Hz-22kHz frequency range. Weighing just 119g with a foldable design and 3.9-foot tangle-free cord, it prioritizes grab-and-go portability at a budget price. These headphones are best for casual listeners who want a lightweight, wired, on-ear option for bass-driven music and simple daily use, not for studio monitoring or calls.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sony MDR-ZX110 sounds way better than it has any right to at this price. If you need cheap wired headphones that don't suck, this is the one.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ridiculous sound quality for the price 90th
- Lightweight at 100g and folds flat 87th
- Comfortable enough for hours of wear
- Long 3.9' cord with a jack that fits thick phone cases
Cons
- Plastic build feels cheap and creaky
- No padding on the headband
- Bass distorts when you crank it
- Mic quality is basically an afterthought
What owners think
The Word on the Street
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
- Q2 202685/100
Buyers praised the sound quality and value but noted cheap materials causing creaking and flaking foam. Comfort is fine for short use, but the headband lacks padding.
- Excellent sound quality for the price, with clear mids and solid bass.
- Plastic construction is very creaky and loud, distracting from audio.
- Lightweight and foldable, but headband is uncomfortable for longer sessions.
- Earcup foam and vinyl break down and flake after a few months of use.
- Q2 2021100/100
Buyers praised the headphones for their fit, sound quality, and compact design. One parent reported their child loves them, though they did not test them personally.
- Sound quality is good.
- Fit is perfect and compact.
- Lightweight, suitable for toddlers.
- Overall recommendation from a parent.
- Q4 201967/100
Mixed reviews: one praises quality and comfort, another reports audio failure after two days.
- Comfortable and lightweight with crisp audio quality.
- Audio stopped working within two days; product deemed waste of money.
- Good style and brand quality appreciated.
- Q2 201980/100
Buyers praised sound quality, comfort, and foldability. Some noted a short cable and lack of noise cancellation.
- Sound quality is exceptional for the price.
- Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear.
- Foldable design makes storage and portability easy.
- Cable is too short for some users.
- Q4 201733/100
One reviewer praised sound quality and comfort, but two others reported major issues: misleading info about stylus support and a broken unit that couldn't be returned.
- Product arrived broken (blown speaker), return window expired due to long PC repair time.
- Incorrect information about stylus compatibility, leading to wasted purchase.
- Excellent sound quality for price, comfortable for extended wear.
- Overall dissatisfaction leading to brand boycott (Dell).
- Q2 201567/100
Buyers praised sound quality and comfort (without earrings), but noted a short cord and one unit failing after 4 months.
- Great sound quality and comfort when earrings removed.
- Cord is too short with no length spec on packaging or site.
- One side stopped working after 4 months, reliability concern.
- Earpieces press on earrings, causing discomfort for some users.
Based on 206 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 30mm drivers with neodymium magnets punch way above their price class. The Acoustic Bass Booster gives low-end a satisfying thump, though it can get muddy at max volume. What surprised us most is the comfort, these sit at the 87th percentile for comfort despite the unpadded headband. The 12Hz-22kHz frequency response is respectable, but the 24Ω impedance means they'll play nice with just about any phone or laptop without needing an amp.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Rubber |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 |
| Freq Min | 12 |
| Freq Max | 22000 |
| Impedance | 24 |
| Sensitivity | 98 |
| Hi-Res Audio | No |
| Codecs | Sony MDR-ZX110 Closed Supra-Aural Dome Stereo Headphones, Black |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
| Transparency | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | No |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
| Boom Mic | No |
Features
| Voice Assistant | No |
| Touch Controls | No |
vs Competition
The Soundcore Life Q20 and TOZO HT3 both offer wireless convenience and active noise cancelling, but they cost significantly more. The ZX110 beats them on pure value, you could buy three of these for the price of one Q20. The Tribit QuietPlus and EarFun Tune Pro are also solid wireless options, but if you don't need Bluetooth or ANC, the Sony is the smarter buy. The trade-off is build quality, those competitors feel more premium in hand.
| Spec | Sony MDR-ZX110 | Sennheiser HDB 630 | JBL Tune 670NC | Soundcore Life Q20 | TOZO HT3 | Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 42 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 45 |
| Impedance Ohms | 24 | 480 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 48 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 60 | 70 | 60 | 90 | 60 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | 32 | 14.9 | 33.7 | 55.5 | 46 | 87.1 | 39.3 | 39.7 | 89.8 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 Compare | 98.2 | 82.7 | 75.7 | 98.1 | 91.3 | 44.5 | 87.6 | 98.4 | 95.1 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.1 | 75.7 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 81.9 | 99.2 | 98.6 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 90.8 | 100 | 91.3 | 87.1 | 81.9 | 95.9 | 89.8 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 52 | 96.3 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
| Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 94.3 | 98.2 | 91.3 | 52 | 0 | 97.7 | 61.2 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At USD 13-18 across US retailers, this is a no-brainer. The price spread is small, but if you're hunting for the best deal, the lowest USD 13 listing is the one to grab. In Europe, the EUR 27-41 range is wider, so shop around. Either way, you're getting sound that competes with headphones twice the price.
Amazon 1 offer From R$129
Price History
Read more
Overview
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is the budget headphone that refuses to sound like one. For under $20, you get surprisingly punchy bass, clear mids, and a foldable design that actually fits in a jacket pocket. The one thing to know? These are the headphones you grab when you want decent sound without thinking about your wallet.
Common Questions
Q: Do these work with phones that have no headphone jack?
You'll need a USB-C or Lightning to 3.5mm adapter, but once you have one, they work fine. The 24Ω impedance means any phone can drive them easily.
Q: Are they good for working out?
Not really. They're lightweight and stay put reasonably well, but the on-ear design and lack of sweat resistance make them a poor gym companion. Get some cheap earbuds instead.
Q: How long will they last?
With careful use, a year or two. The plastic hinges and earcup foam are the weak points. At this price, treat them as semi-disposable.
Who Should Skip This
If you need wireless, noise cancelling, or a built-in mic for calls, this isn't it. The mic scores a dismal 24/100 and there's no Bluetooth. Go grab the Soundcore Life Q20 or TOZO HT3 instead. Also skip these if you're rough on gear, the plastic build won't survive much abuse.
Verdict
Buy these. The Sony MDR-ZX110 is the best wired headphone under $20, period. The sound quality alone justifies the price, and the foldable design makes them perfect for commutes or desk work. Just don't expect them to survive being sat on.
