Apple EarPods vs KZ ZSN: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Products

Apple EarPods

KZ ZSN

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 05, 2025 07:18 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated May 27, 2025 08:16 PM

Apple EarPods Picture

KZ ZSN Picture

TypeEarbuds

EnclosureOpen-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicYes

TypeIn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerBalanced Armature

Noise CancellingNo

MicNo

Recommended in 1 article:
Earbuds For Phone Calls

Our Verdict

Apple EarPods

KZ ZSN

The KZ ZSN are better-mixed usage and critical listening in-ears than the Apple EarPods. The KZ are noticeably better built, including more premium materials and a nice braided, detachable cable. The KZ have poor treble, while the Apple have poor bass performance. However, most people will find the Apple slightly more comfortable due to their one-size-fits-all design and microphone, which is useful for calls.

Variants

EarPods (White)

ZSN (Black, mic)
ZSN (Black, no mic)

Review

See Apple EarPods Review

See KZ ZSN Review

Check Price

White

EarPods

Black, mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Black, no mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Cyan, mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Cyan, no mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Purple, mic

ZSN

Purple, no mic

ZSN

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

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Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Apple EarPods Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Apple EarPods Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Apple EarPods Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Apple EarPods Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Apple EarPods Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Apple EarPods Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

N/A

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

N/A

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Apple EarPods Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Apple EarPods Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Apple EarPods Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Apple EarPods Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Apple EarPods Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Apple EarPods Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Apple EarPods Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Apple EarPods In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Apple EarPods Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Apple EarPods Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Apple EarPods Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Apple EarPods Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Apple EarPods Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Apple EarPods Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Apple EarPods Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Apple EarPods Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Apple EarPods Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Apple EarPods Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Apple EarPods Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Apple EarPods PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Size (Avg.)

N/A

N/A

PRTF Distance

N/A

N/A

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Apple EarPods Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Apple EarPods Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Apple EarPods Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Apple EarPods Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Apple EarPods Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

Lock Hz

N/A

FR Std. Dev.

Lock dB

N/A

HFE

Lock Hz

N/A

Weighted THD

Lock

N/A

Gain

Lock dB

N/A

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Apple EarPods SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

Lock dB

N/A

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

0.0

N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

0.0

N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Additional Charges

N/A

N/A

Total Battery Life

N/A

N/A

Charge Time

N/A

N/A

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Apple EarPods App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

N/A

Android Latency

N/A

N/A

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Apple EarPods Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

KZ ZSN Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

Lock ms

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Show Text

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Check Price

White

EarPods

Black, mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Black, no mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Cyan, mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Cyan, no mic

ZSN

White

EarPods

Purple, mic

ZSN

Purple, no mic

ZSN

Apple EarPods

KZ ZSN

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Apple EarPods vs KZ ZSN: Main Discussion

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