Sony ZX Series MDRZX310AP/L
The 30mm ferrite drivers deliver a balanced 10Hz–24kHz frequency response with 98dB sensitivity, making these a solid wired option for clear, detailed audio on a budget. The 125g foldable design with cushioned earpads and an in-line mic with SmartKey app control adds everyday portability and hands-free convenience. These are best for students and commuters who need an affordable, lightweight headset for music and occasional calls, not for gaming or studio monitoring.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Decent sound in a cheap, foldable package, but the on-ear fit is a coin flip. Small ears only, and don't pay more than $30.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Good sound quality for the price 91st
- Effective passive noise blocking
- Lightweight at 125g and folds up small
- Comfortable for smaller ears
Cons
- On-ear design hurts larger ears
- No in-line volume control
- Build quality feels cheap
- Low maximum volume
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.
Based on 9 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
The 30mm ferrite drivers pump out a surprisingly balanced sound for a headphone this cheap. Bass has some punch, highs are clear enough, and the mids get a little muddy but not deal-breakingly so. What surprised us most is the noise blocking. For a passive, closed-back on-ear design, these do a better job of sealing out background chatter than we expected. The mic is fine for calls, nothing special, and the lack of in-line volume control is annoying. You'll be reaching for your phone every time you want to adjust levels.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.3 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | ferrite |
| Driver Size | 30 |
| Freq Min | 10 |
| Freq Max | 24000 |
| Impedance | 24 |
| Sensitivity | 98 |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.19 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Boom Mic | No |
vs Competition
Against the Soundcore Life Q20 or JBL Tune 670NC, the Sony loses on features. Those two offer wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling, while the MDRZX310AP is a wired-only throwback. But if you just want a cheap, simple pair for a laptop or an old iPod, the Sony holds its own on sound. The TOZO HT3 is a better pick if you want wireless at a similar budget. The Truefree HF-10 and HAYLOU S30 are also worth a look if you want more modern features without spending much more.
| Spec | Sony ZX Series MDRZX310AP/L | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 | Apple AirPods Max Midnight | Technics EAH-A800 | JBL Tune 670NC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear |
| Driver Type | ferrite | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 | 32 |
| Impedance Ohms | 24 | - | 470 | 16 | 34 | 32 |
| 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 | - | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 30 | 60 | 20 | 50 | 70 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony ZX Series MDRZX310AP/L | 33.3 | 53.5 | 37.4 | 64.7 | 51.4 | 90.7 | 6.7 | 26.6 | 58.4 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98.4 | 99.5 | 96 | 99.4 | 81.1 | 61.3 | 87.3 | 98.2 | 98.6 |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Compare | 98.4 | 88.8 | 93.3 | 98.3 | 92.9 | 90.7 | 37.5 | 98.5 | 71.5 |
| Apple AirPods Max Midnight Compare | 98.4 | 87 | 93.3 | 94.8 | 76.3 | 34.5 | 87.3 | 88.5 | 98.6 |
| Technics EAH-A800 Compare | 95 | 98.8 | 80.7 | 97.9 | 88.9 | 61.3 | 53.2 | 98 | 65.3 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.4 | 74.3 | 80.7 | 88.3 | 95.4 | 90.7 | 81.8 | 99.4 | 98.6 |
Price
Value & Pricing
The price spread on this thing is wild, from $22 to over $8,000 depending on where you look. At the low end, it's a perfectly fine beater pair. At anything above $30, you're getting ripped off. Best Buy has the most reasonable everyday pricing if you're hunting for a deal.
Read more
Overview
The Sony MDRZX310AP is a budget wired headphone that gets the basics right and not much else. The one thing to know: it sounds decent for the price, but the on-ear fit is a gamble. If you've got smaller ears, you'll probably be happy. If not, these will start to hurt after an hour.
Common Questions
Q: Do these headphones have a volume control on the cable?
No. There's a multi-function button for play/pause and calls, but no volume rocker. You'll need to adjust volume on your phone or laptop.
Q: Are these good for people with big ears?
Probably not. The on-ear design sits directly on your ears, and multiple owners with larger ears say they get uncomfortable quickly. Look for an over-ear pair instead.
Q: Can I use these for gaming?
You can, but they're not great for it. The mic works for chat, but the soundstage is narrow and there's no surround sound. A dedicated gaming headset will serve you better.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for wireless, noise cancelling, or all-day comfort, this isn't it. Go get the Soundcore Life Q20 or TOZO HT3 instead. And if you have big ears, just walk away now.
Verdict
If you need a cheap wired headphone and you have smaller ears, the Sony MDRZX310AP is a solid buy at around $25. The sound is good, the folding design is handy, and the mic works fine for calls. But if comfort is a priority or you want volume control on the cable, skip it and grab a Soundcore Life Q20 instead.
