Creative EF1190

A call-quality monster with killer ANC, but the music playback is just okay. Get it for the mic, not the melody.

The call quality is the headline act here. With a mic score in the 98th percentile, these are among the best we've seen for voice pickup, and the noise cancellation for calls is top-tier too. The ANC for listening is also a standout, landing in the 97th percentile, which is impressive for this price bracket. The 10mm drivers and AAC codec deliver sound that's well above average, but the music score of 61.3 is the weakest link. It's not bad, it just doesn't have the same sparkle as the call performance. Battery life is solid at 12 hours on the buds and 39 total with the case, and the Qi wireless charging is a nice touch.

The Zen Air EF1190 goes head-to-head with some heavy hitters. The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the obvious benchmark for ANC and overall polish, but it costs significantly more. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the default choice for iPhone users, and it beats the Creative on comfort and ecosystem integration. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a better pure music bud. Where the Creative wins is raw call quality and ANC value. If you're on a lot of Zoom calls or phone meetings, these punch way above their weight.

Pricing is all over the place. In the US, you're looking at a spread from USD 95 to USD 133 across two listings, which is a huge gap for the same product. If you can snag these at the USD 95 end, it's a solid deal for the call quality and ANC alone. At USD 133, you're getting into territory where the Sony WF-1000XM6 starts to look tempting. Shop around and don't pay the premium.

The Creative Zen Air EF1190 is a weird one. On paper, it's a mid-range true wireless bud with some serious tricks up its sleeve, like SXFI spatial audio and a six-mic setup that absolutely crushes it for calls. But the overall score of 69.3 out of 100 tells the real story: this is a specialist, not an all-rounder. It's fantastic for travel and calls, but if you're buying these primarily to get lost in your music, you might end up a little disappointed.

If you're looking for a music-first pair of earbuds with top-tier comfort and a huge community of users, this isn't it. Go grab the Sony WF-1000XM6 or the Apple AirPods Pro 3 instead. The Creative is for call warriors and travelers who need ANC on a budget.

If your number one priority is being heard clearly on calls and you want solid ANC without spending flagship money, the Creative Zen Air EF1190 is a no-brainer. It's a niche champion. But if you're a music-first listener, there are better options out there for the same or less money. Buy these for the mic, not the music.