How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-20 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
These two products only look like competitors because they both sit in the "wireless audio" aisle. In practice they solve completely different problems. One is a translation tool that happens to play music. The other is an endurance audio device built to survive water. Picking the wrong one is an expensive mistake, so let's break down what each one actually is.
• MINISO MS105 — biggest strength: Real-time translation across 165 languages with 8 separate translation modes, including a shared mode where two people wear the same earbuds and speak different languages.
• MINISO MS105 — biggest trade-off: It's an in-ear design with active noise cancellation, so it seals you off from your surroundings — and it has no water protection rating at all.
• ZOVIMAX Bone Conduction Headphones — biggest strength: IPX8 waterproofing with built-in 8GB MP3 storage, so you can leave your phone on the pool deck and still have music underwater.
• ZOVIMAX Bone Conduction Headphones — biggest trade-off: It has no translation features whatsoever, and Bluetooth simply doesn't work underwater — you must switch to MP3 mode.
• Who each pick is for: MINISO MS105 for travelers, business people and language learners; ZOVIMAX for swimmers, runners and anyone who trains hard and hates earbuds falling out.
The MS105 is a 4-in-1 in-ear bud: music playback, phone calls, sleep mode, and real-time translation. That last one is the whole point. It covers 165 languages and splits the job into 8 distinct modes — AI Dialogue Mode, Free Talk Mode, Translation Machine, Headphone & Phone, Photo Translation, Voice Note, AI Video Captions, and Real-Time Translation. In my opinion, that spread of modes is what separates it from a single-purpose handheld translator, because you can point it at a menu, a video, a voice note or a live conversation without switching devices.
The shared design is the feature I'd actually use. Two people each wear one earbud and talk in their own language. That's a genuinely different experience from passing a phone back and forth, and it's the reason I'd recommend this for multilingual families, business negotiations, or a trip where you're regularly talking to people who don't share your first language. Audio-wise it runs 13mm dynamic drivers with a 20Hz–20,000Hz range and Bluetooth 6.0 for a stable 10-metre connection. Active noise cancellation blocks up to 98% of background noise, which matters a lot at an airport or on a train platform.
Who should skip it? Anyone whose main goal is sport. It's an in-ear plastic-and-silicone bud with no waterproof rating listed. Sweat and rain are not what this was designed around. And if you want to hear traffic or other swimmers while you train, the noise cancelling works directly against you. Buy the MS105 if communication is the job; skip it if fitness is.
The ZOVIMAX X7 MAX is an open-ear, bone-conduction hook design in silicone, and everything about it points at one scenario: moving your body while audio keeps going. IPX8 protection means it survives full submersion up to 5 metres deep for as long as 2.5 hours. That's not "splash resistant" — that's a swimming headphone.
The clever part is the dual-mode setup. You get Bluetooth 6.0 on land for normal low-latency listening, and you get MP3 mode with 8GB of internal memory holding up to 2,000 songs. Double-click to switch. Underwater, Bluetooth can't transmit, so you flip to MP3 and keep going. You load tracks by connecting the magnetic charging cable to your computer and copying files straight onto the built-in memory — no app, no cloud, no fuss.
Battery life is rated up to 12 hours, with a full charge in 2 hours, and the sheet also lists up to 8 hours of continuous playback — treat 12 hours as the ceiling and 8 as the realistic figure for a long session. The 14.2mm dynamic drivers are larger than the MS105's 13mm, and the open-ear fit keeps you aware of your surroundings while soft silicone pads sit against your head. An adjustable strap is included for different head sizes, and there's a 2-year warranty.
Who should skip it? Anyone who needs translation. There is none here. Also, if you want to be sealed off from noise, this is the wrong product — its noise control is passive, and open-ear design deliberately lets the world in. Buy the ZOVIMAX if your audio life happens in water or on a running trail.
• Best for translation → MINISO MS105. 165 languages, 8 modes, shared two-person design. There's no contest here.
• Best for swimming → ZOVIMAX. IPX8, 5 metres, 2.5 hours submerged, 8GB of local music. The MS105 has no water rating.
• Best for noise blocking → MINISO MS105. Active noise cancellation up to 98% of background noise, versus passive noise control on the ZOVIMAX.
• Best for situational awareness → ZOVIMAX. Open-ear bone conduction keeps you tuned into traffic, other swimmers and gym surroundings.
• Best for phone-free listening → ZOVIMAX. 8GB internal storage means no phone required. The MS105 requires a connected device.
• Best for calls and meetings → MINISO MS105. Built-in call support, touch controls and a charging case that fits a pocket or laptop bag.
• Best for long workouts → ZOVIMAX. Up to 12 hours rated battery and a secure hook fit with an adjustable strap.
• Best for everyday carry → MINISO MS105. In-ear buds plus charging case are simply easier to pocket than a headband-style set.
If I had to pick one, I'd take the MINISO MS105 — but only because I'd get more days of use out of it. Translation, calls, music and sleep mode cover work, travel and daily listening, and the shared two-person mode is something no ordinary earbud does. That's my honest read for most people.
That said, I'd recommend the ZOVIMAX without hesitation to a swimmer or a runner. If your audio life happens in a pool or on a trail, the MS105 is the wrong tool entirely, and IPX8 with 8GB of offline music is exactly right. Buy for the scenario you actually live in, not the spec sheet that looks fanciest.
FAQ
No. Bluetooth cannot transmit through water, so you must switch to MP3 mode before submerging — a double-click toggles between the two. Load songs onto the 8GB internal memory first via the magnetic charging cable.
I wouldn't. The MS105 is an in-ear design with no water protection rating listed, and its active noise cancellation cuts you off from your surroundings — the opposite of what you want while running near traffic.
It depends entirely on what you need. The MS105 packs translation, active noise cancellation and a charging case; the ZOVIMAX packs IPX8 waterproofing, 8GB of storage and up to 12 hours of battery. Check the current price on Amazon for each and compare against the feature you'll actually use most.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.