Our Verdict
Decent for mixed usage. The KZ ZS10 have a fairly comfortable in-ear fit, above-average isolation, and low leakage, which makes them suitable for most environments. They're compact enough to carry on you at all times and they have a stable ear-hook design which makes them a decent choice for commuting, sports, and the office. Unfortunately, their short audio cable won't be ideal most home theater setups. Also, the lack of in-line controls and a mic is not ideal for gaming and is a bit limiting when commuting or running since you will have to change tracks directly on your phone.
- Above-average sound quality.
- Good design and build quality.
- Very low leakage.
- Slightly bulky earbuds.
- The no in-line remote variant is a bit limited.
Above-average for neutral listening. The KZ ZS10 have a punchy bass, a decently well-balanced mid-range and a good treble that sounds fairly detailed with instruments and vocals without sounding too sharp like some of the in-ears we've tested. Unfortunately, although they are decently well balanced, they do sound a bit boomy and cluttered at times due to the bump in the bass range. They also tend to push instruments and vocals slightly back in the mix and have a small soundstage which won't be ideal for more neutral listeners. On the upside, they will sound good enough for most and are decent sounding in-ears, especially for their price range.
Okay for commuting. They block a decent amount of noise passively and barely leak so you can play your music at higher volumes to mask the sounds of your environment. They're also compact enough to carry around in your pocket at all times. Unfortunately, the variant we've tested does not come with an in-line remote, and their passive isolation is not ideal against low-frequency noise like that of an engine.
Above-average for sports. They have a stable ear-hook design that will not move much during exercise. They're also decently comfortable lightweight and compact enough to carry on you at all times. Unfortunately, the variant we've tested does not come with an in-line remote so they have no control scheme, which is not ideal for working out. However, even with the in-line remote, they do not have volume controls which is a bit limiting.
Average for office use. They barely leak and block a decent amount of noise passively. This makes them suitable for quiet and more lively office environments, although they do not have many connection options and no mic for making calls. Also despite having a decently comfortable in-ear fit, they may not be the ideal headphones to wear for your entire work shift, and they won't do as well at blocking ambient chatter if you're not playing any music.
Sub-par for gaming. They have an above-average sound, a decently comfortable design and a no latency wired connection. Unfortunately, they have no mic or in-line controls. They're also not as customizable as typical gaming headphones, and their relatively short audio cable won't be as convenient for gaming as the some of the wireless gaming headsets we've tested. On the upside, they will provide audio when connected to your Xbox one PS4 controller.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Aug 16, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Aug 14, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The KZ ZS10 are a great looking pair of wired in-ears with a decent enough performance for most use cases. They're lightweight and very portable so you can have them on you at all times. They also have a stable in-ear fit with a pseudo ear hook design that will prevent them from falling out of your ears even during more strenuous exercises. They're a bit more comfortable than typical in-ear, however, since the earbuds are somewhat bulky, they may not be the ideal choice for all listeners especially those with smaller ears. On the upside, they're one of the best sounding earbuds; they deliver a satisfying sound quality and a decent noise isolation performance that makes them versatile enough for most use cases and even better than some of the pricier in-ears compared below. See our recommendations for the best budget earbuds and the best earbuds under $50.
The KZ AS-10 and the KZ ZS-10 are very similar headphones. The ZS-10's sound is more accurate, while the AS-10 has more bass and a bit more punch to it. Design-wise, they are nearly identical. Both have bulky angled earbuds; the only difference being the AS-10 are a bit thinner, maybe making them a bit more suitable for everyone and more comfortable for smaller ears. The AS-10 also have better passive noise isolation.
The KZ ZS10 are better headphones than the KZ ZST. Their earbud casings feel better made and sturdier than the ZST’s. Also, their sound profile follows our target curve better and will sound noticeably better in the treble range. Overall, both headphones still have very similar sound quality. On the other hand, the ZST are more affordable and could offer a better overall value for most people.
The KZ ZS10 and the KZ ZSN are very similar headphones, but the ZS10 have a slightly better sound profile, so they're a better choice overall. They sound more balanced and more detailed than the ZSN. However, their bud design is slightly bulkier than the ZSN, so if you have very small ears and usually have trouble with in-ears, the ZSN might fit you better.
The KZ ZS10 sound brighter with a slightly more balanced bass range than the Shure SE215 in-ears. The KZ have a slightly more premium-looking design. The Shure, on the other hand, have a slightly more comfortable fit and better noise isolation than the KZ. Their overall sound is warmer. However, while both headphones are well-built in-ears with no in-line remotes, the sound of the KZ makes them more versatile.
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