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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for earbuds that are easy on the wallet, Creative Labs Zen Air might appeal to you as they are generally less expensive than Skullcandy Dime 2. In terms of overall sound quality, Skullcandy Dime 2 has an edge with very good sound as compared to Zen Air's good sound, but Zen Air excels in build quality. Zen Air also offers active noise cancelling for a more isolated listening experience, which Dime 2 lacks. For those who exercise, both are sweatproof, but Zen Air is dustproof as well, offering extra protection. If you switch devices between Android and Apple, Zen Air provides app controls for both platforms, while Dime 2 does not offer app integration. For more frequent travelers, Zen Air is suited for air travel, and both have similar portability with Zen Air having slightly more battery life for typical use. Lastly, if you value wireless charging, Zen Air supports it, which may add to the convenience factor. Consider your priorities in sound quality, build quality, noise cancellation, and additional features like app integration and wireless charging when making your decision. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Creative Labs Zen Air
- The Creative Labs Zen Air has no clear advantages over the Skullcandy Dime 2.
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime 2
- The Skullcandy Dime 2 has no clear advantages over the Creative Labs Zen Air.
Key differences
Music
6.8
6.0
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both only fair for music, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.6
5.1
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for TV and video, though the Creative Labs Zen Air is somewhat better.
Battery
5.0 Hours
3.0 Hours
The Creative Labs Zen Air has 5 hours of battery life. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$25
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
The Creative Labs Zen Air has a price of $20 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $25.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Creative Labs Zen Air has excellent build quality, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.1
4.7
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
5.1
4.8
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.4
5.2
The Creative Labs Zen Air and Skullcandy Dime 2 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Noise Reduction
7.0
6.5
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Zen Air to be good for noise reduction, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
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How the Creative Labs Zen Air and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Creative Labs Zen Air | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $25 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Creative Labs | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2022 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.1/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.9/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 5 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 12 | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 5 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Creative Labs Zen Air
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Headphone Check
Maike Paeßens | February 2023
"The Creative Zen Air’s weak points are its low battery life and rather short Bluetooth range. On the other hand, the strengths of these weatherproof True Wireless in-Ears are the sound and the wide attenuation of the Active Noise Cancellation. Considering the price range, the speech intelligibility during calls is also exceptionally good."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the Creative Labs Zen Air or the Skullcandy Dime 2
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
About Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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