Creative Zen Air Pro – Budget-Friendly ANC Earbuds with LC3+ Audio”

The Creative Zen Air Pro marks the latest addition to Creative's lineup of true wireless earbuds, boasting features such as active noise cancellation (ANC), extended battery life, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and customizable touch controls accessible via the Creative app.

Setting it apart from its predecessor, the Zen Air Plus, is the incorporation of the LC3+ codec, renowned for its heightened robustness against transmission errors, reduced encoding delay, and support for high-resolution audio playback.

Designed for optimal comfort and secure fit, the Zen Air Pro features an in-ear design complemented by silicone ear tips, available in small, medium, and large sizes. This ensures a snug fit, essential for both sound quality and stability during various activities.

In terms of design, the Zen Air Pro adopts a simple yet attractive aesthetic, akin to many standard earbuds on the market. Its IPX5 rating further enhances its appeal, making it suitable for fitness activities.

Upon testing, users have reported excellent fit and stability, particularly with the larger ear tips, which provide a secure seal for improved sound quality and minimized risk of displacement during physical activities.

The accompanying Creative app offers useful customization options for the Zen Air Pro, including an EQ and ANC settings. While the EQ functionality allows users to fine-tune bass and treble levels manually, the absence of preset options may necessitate some experimentation to achieve desired sound profiles.

Notably, the Zen Air Pro and its predecessor do not support SXFI, a feature available in the original Creative Zen Air. This omission is likely attributed to the inclusion of LE audio, which may not be compatible with SXFI.

Connectivity-wise, the Zen Air Pro adopts Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless pairing, delivering a stable connection without dropouts. Additionally, support for LE Audio brings potential benefits such as reduced power consumption and enhanced bandwidth for future audio codecs.

However, compatibility issues with LC3+/LE Audio have been reported, particularly with certain smartphone models. Despite promises of improved support, users have encountered difficulties accessing enhanced audio features, potentially due to firmware or software limitations.

Sound quality on the Zen Air Pro is commendable, with 10mm dynamic drivers delivering powerful bass and crisp treble across various music genres and media types. While the default sound profile offers a slightly warm tonality with boosted bass, the EQ functionality allows for personalized adjustments to suit individual preferences.

Unfortunately, the ANC performance on the Zen Air Pro falls short of expectations, providing minimal reduction in ambient noise levels. Despite its presence, ANC effectiveness is limited, particularly in comparison to higher-priced alternatives.

Battery life on the Zen Air Pro is impressive, offering up to 9 hours of playback per charge, with the charging case providing an additional 2 charges for a total of 33 hours of usage. In real-world testing, users have reported battery life aligning closely with Creative's claims, making it suitable for extended listening sessions without frequent recharges.

The inclusion of a triple-microphone setup with environmental noise reduction enhances call quality, ensuring clear voice transmission even in noisy environments.

In terms of pricing and alternatives, the Zen Air Pro offers competitive value at £55, particularly considering its feature set and performance. While alternatives exist within a similar price range, such as the Creative Zen Air Plus and SoundPeats Air4 Pro, the Zen Air Pro stands out for its app-based customization options and extended battery life.

Overall, the Creative Zen Air Pro presents a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking reliable true wireless earbuds with customizable sound profiles and extended battery life. Despite shortcomings in ANC performance, its overall feature set and sound quality make it a worthy contender in its price category.