Sony MDR-ZX110
This bundle’s standouts are the fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker paired with lightweight, cushioned on-ear headphones for wired listening. The compact XB100 provides portable sound for outdoor use, while the MDR-ZX110 offers a reliable 3.5mm connection for phones and laptops. This set is best for casual listeners needing a durable, travel-ready audio kit that splits duties between a wireless speaker and wired headphones.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
Comfortable and well-built, but the mic is a disaster and the sound is just okay. Buy it for the bundle, not the headphones.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Featherlight at 113g and folds flat for travel 87th
- Comfort score in the 88th percentile, way above its price class 86th
- Build quality is a standout at the 87th percentile
- Wired 3.5mm connection works with basically anything
Cons
- Mic quality is one of the worst we've seen at the 16th percentile
- Sound is just average, 56th percentile won't impress anyone
- No Bluetooth, no ANC, no modern features
- Connectivity score is a disappointing 21st percentile
The proof
Performance
The 30mm dynamic drivers push a 12Hz to 22kHz range, which looks fine on paper, but our sound score lands at a middling 56th percentile. Bass is present but not punchy, and the highs roll off before things get exciting. What surprised us is the comfort. These cheap on-ears sit at the 88th percentile for comfort, which is wild for a headphone this inexpensive. The foldable design and 113g weight make them easy to toss in a bag. But the mic is a real weak spot, sitting near the bottom at the 16th percentile. Don't plan on taking calls with these.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | on-ear |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | cushioned ear pads |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 12 |
| Freq Max | 22000 |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | No |
| Cable Length | 1.19 |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
Features
| Water Resistance | Waterproof |
vs Competition
The JBL Tune 670NC gives you wireless and active noise cancelling for not much more, and the TOZO HT3 undercuts it with ANC and Bluetooth too. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is in a completely different league, but it costs several times more and isn't a fair fight. If you want wired simplicity and don't care about calls, the Sony holds its own on comfort and build. But the moment you want wireless or a usable mic, the JBL or TOZO are the smarter buys.
| Spec | Sony MDR-ZX110 | JBL Tune 670NC | Soundcore Life Q20 | TOZO HT3 | Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 | Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | on-ear | on-ear | over-ear | over-ear | on-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 32 | 40 | 40 | 45 | 37 |
| Impedance Ohms | - | 32 | 16 | 16 | 48 | 560 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | - | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 70 | 60 | 90 | 60 | 50 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony MDR-ZX110 | 32 | 14.9 | 86.2 | 54.2 | 46 | 87.1 | 18.9 | 33.9 |
| JBL Tune 670NC Compare | 98.2 | 64.1 | 75.7 | 84.9 | 94.3 | 87.1 | 99.2 | 98.6 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 94.2 | 82.7 | 90.8 | 100 | 91.3 | 87.1 | 95.9 | 89.8 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 89.8 | 82.7 | 94.3 | 98.6 | 97.8 | 52 | 96.8 | 95.1 |
| Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 94.3 | 98.2 | 91.3 | 52 | 97.7 | 61.2 |
| Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Compare | 98.2 | 75.6 | 75.7 | 95.9 | 86.6 | 52 | 98.9 | 77.1 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $69 USD for the bundle with the XB100 speaker, this is a decent starter kit if you need both a speaker and headphones. But if you only want headphones, the MDR-ZX110 alone isn't worth hunting down. You can find better-sounding wired cans for similar money.
Newegg 3 offers From $67
Price History
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Overview
The Sony MDR-ZX110 is a budget on-ear headphone that gets the basics right and not much else. It's light, foldable, and surprisingly comfortable for the price, but the sound is just okay and the mic is rough. The real story here is that this listing is actually a bundle with the Sony XB100 Bluetooth speaker, so you're getting two gadgets for around $69 USD.
Common Questions
Q: Do these headphones have a microphone?
Yes, but it's bad. Our mic score puts it at the 16th percentile, so calls will sound muffled and distant. Use these for music, not meetings.
Q: Are the MDR-ZX110 headphones wireless?
No. They're wired only with a 3.5mm jack. The XB100 speaker in this bundle is the Bluetooth device, not the headphones.
Q: Are these good for working out?
They're light and foldable, but the on-ear design and lack of water resistance on the headphones themselves make them a mediocre gym choice. The XB100 speaker is the waterproof one in this bundle.
Who Should Skip This
If you need a headphone for calls, video meetings, or wireless listening, this isn't it. The mic is near the bottom of our rankings and there's no Bluetooth. Go grab the JBL Tune 670NC or TOZO HT3 instead, both give you ANC and wireless for not much more cash.
Verdict
The MDR-ZX110 is a comfortable, well-built wired headphone that sounds fine for casual listening. But the terrible mic and lack of wireless features make it a tough sell on its own. As part of this $69 USD bundle with the XB100 speaker, it's a reasonable value for someone who wants both devices without spending much.
