Creative Zen Air 2

Great ANC and connectivity in a comfy, cheap package. Just don't expect the battery to keep up with your day.

The 10mm dynamic neodymium drivers are fine. Sound lands in the 76th percentile, which means it's good but not going to blow your mind. What surprised us is the ANC. It sits in the 90th percentile, which is wild for earbuds this cheap. The quad mics handle calls decently too, landing in the 82nd percentile. But that battery, 6 hours in the buds and 23 with the case, is a weak spot. It's in the 17th percentile, which is a real letdown for anyone who hates charging.

Stacked against the Soundcore P31i, the Zen Air 2 wins on ANC and connectivity but loses on battery. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ is a better all-rounder if you want longer playtime and better sound. The Anker Space A40 is the one to beat for battery life and overall polish. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC are a closer match on price, but the Zen Air 2 has better ANC. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro is a bass-heavy alternative if that's your thing. For pure value, the Zen Air 2 only makes sense at the bottom of its price range.

The value story is messy. In the US, prices swing from USD 25 to USD 40 across two listings. That's a USD 15 spread, which is annoying. The cheaper listing is the obvious pick if you can find it. In Canada, it's even worse, CAD 34 to CAD 126. That CAD 92 gap is absurd. If you're paying anywhere near the top of that range, you're getting fleeced. At the low end, these are a steal. At the high end, hard pass.

The Creative Zen Air 2 is a weird little package. You get genuinely great connectivity, solid ANC, and a comfy fit for pocket change. But the battery life is rough, and the social proof is basically nonexistent. The one thing to know? These are a budget buy that punches above their weight in some areas and falls flat in others.

If you need all-day battery life, these aren't it. Go get the Anker Space A40 or EarFun Air Pro 4+ instead. If you're an audiophile chasing the best sound, the Zen Air 2 will leave you wanting. And if you're paying more than USD 30 or CAD 50, you're overpaying. Simple as that.

If you can snag these for USD 25 or CAD 34, they're a no-brainer for ANC on a budget. The connectivity is best-in-class, the fit is comfy, and the ANC is genuinely impressive. But the battery life is a constant annoyance, and the sound is just average. At the higher end of the price spread, skip them and grab the Anker Space A40 or EarFun Air Pro 4+ instead.