Gaming and audio favorite Creative has released its latest pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones, the Creative Zen Hybrid – and they don’t sound too bad.
Supposedly capable of blocking “up to 95% of ambient noise” with its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, Creative’s newest cans feature two full-throw 40mm neodymium drivers – the same size found in the Apple AirPods Max – to deliver high quality audio for under $100 / £100.
Zen Hybrid headphones also bear more than a passing physical resemblance to Sony’s WH-1000XM4 over the ears, and while it’s too early to say if they’ll join our ranking of best wireless headphones for the price, the specs are impressive and could certainly prove some of the best cheap headphones in 2022.
The Creative Zen Hybrid headphones share another feature with Apple’s AirPods Max and Sony’s wireless headphones: an Ambient Mode (read: Transparency Mode) that filters out just the right amount of outside noise to keep you aware traffic and nearby conversations.
The headphones come equipped with a stylish folding design and a carrying pouch, making them a great everyday wear option for those who are always on the go.
In terms of battery life, the Creative Zen Hybrid offers up to 27 hours of battery life when ANC mode is on, or up to 37 hours of battery life when ANC is off – either way, those are pretty impressive numbers considering the Battery life comparable to that of most premium wireless headphones (aiming around 30 hours in both cases).
Plus, Creative says its latest cans will benefit from super-fast charging speeds – you’ll apparently get five hours of listening time from just a five-minute charge.
Naturally, at $98.99 / £99.99 we don’t expect these wireless headphones to set the world on fire in the audio department compared to more expensive models – you won’t find the same market-leading quality here as you would with premium headphone equivalents from Bose, Sony or Apple, for example – but it’s heartening to see a brand with an impressive number of high-end features for such a low price, especially as the cost of living continues to rise in 2022. sound quality matches other headphones for this kind of price and offers all of the above, Creative could be the winner.
The Creative Zen Hybrid headphones, which will start shipping June 8th in the US and June 17th in the UK, are now available for pre-order on the website. official brand website (opens in new tab).
