How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Sony MDR-ZX110AP — biggest strength: a lightweight on-ear design with 30mm neodymium drivers, an in-line remote and a built-in mic, so it doubles as a phone headset.
• Sony MDR-ZX110AP — biggest trade-off: no active noise cancellation, an on-ear (not over-ear) fit, and a cable that ties you to your device.
• PDP Airlite — biggest strength: a gaming-first build with 40mm drivers, plush over-ear pads, a flip-to-mute noise-cancelling mic, a 7 oz frame and an official PlayStation licence.
• PDP Airlite — biggest trade-off: it's tuned and styled for gaming, it's wired only, and it's over-ear and bulkier for casual commuting.
• Who each is for: pick the Sony for music, podcasts and hands-free calls on the move; pick the PDP for PS5, PS4 and PC gaming sessions where team chat matters.
The Sony MDR-ZX110AP is built around a simple idea: give you a light, portable wired headphone that also works as a headset. The 30mm neodymium dynamic drivers are paired with a highly sensitive diaphragm, which the spec sheet says lets you push volume higher and still get clear, precise audio. The frequency range runs from 12 Hz to 22 kHz, so there's reach at both ends of the spectrum — enough low end for rhythmic tracks and enough top end for detail in vocals and cymbals. Impedance is 24 ohm, which is a low figure and generally means easy driving from a phone or laptop jack rather than needing a dedicated amp.
The design is where it wins for daily use. It's an on-ear, closed-back model at 120 g, with a self-adjusting headband and soft cushioned earcups. The swivelling earcup design folds flat for storage and travel, which is the sort of thing you notice when you're stuffing it into a bag pocket rather than a hard case. Fabric-wrapped earcups and a black finish keep it understated.
The part that separates it from a plain pair of headphones is the cable: an in-line remote and built-in microphone let you take hands-free calls and switch between songs and calls without pulling the headphones off. Note that the spec lists the control type as media control with a remote method and no noise control at all — so don't expect any active cancellation or isolation beyond what the closed-back cups give you.
PDP Airlite: Who It's For
The PDP Airlite is a gaming headset first and everything else second. It's an over-ear, wired model with rounded earcups wrapped in soft padding, and it carries the PlayStation Official Licensed Product badge — the spec sheet lists it as working with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC and more. If you play on a PlayStation console, that licensing is the reassurance that the 3.5mm jack and controls are meant to plug straight into your setup without fuss.
The audio side is straightforward: 40mm dynamic drivers, which are noticeably larger than the Sony's 30mm units, tuned by PDP for what it describes as powerful, fine-tuned audio engineered for immersive gameplay. Bigger drivers in an over-ear shell usually mean more room for low-end rumble in games and a fuller sense of space — that's a design difference worth noting, not a measured claim. The frame is listed as lightweight yet durable at about 7 oz, so it's built to survive long sessions without clamping down hard.
The mic is the headline feature for anyone who plays in a squad. It's a noise-cancelling boom mic with a flip-to-mute function: flip it down to talk, flip it up for radio silence. That's a faster, more tactile mute than hunting for a button mid-match. The spec sheet also lists active noise cancellation under noise control, which is unusual at this tier and is worth weighing as a stated feature rather than something I can verify by ear. Controls are volume via a touch control method, tied to the PlayStation wired controller. Colour is ultraviolet purple, so it's a look — you either want a purple headset or you don't.
Buy it if you game on PlayStation or PC, you talk to teammates regularly, and you want over-ear comfort with a boom mic. Skip it if you mostly listen to music on the move, you want something that folds down small, or you need an in-line remote for taking phone calls.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for music and phone calls → Sony MDR-ZX110AP. The in-line remote and built-in mic turn it into a hands-free headset for calls.
• Best for bigger drivers → PDP Airlite. 40mm versus the Sony's 30mm, both dynamic.
• Best for portability and storage → Sony MDR-ZX110AP. 120 g, swivelling earcups and an on-ear fit that packs down.
• Best for long sessions by weight → Sony MDR-ZX110AP. At 120 g it's lighter on paper than the PDP's roughly 7 oz frame.
• Best for over-ear comfort → PDP Airlite. Soft padded over-ear cups instead of on-ear cushions.
• Best for console compatibility → PDP Airlite. Officially licensed for PlayStation and listed as working with PS5, PS4 and PC.
• Best for a clean, low-key look → Sony MDR-ZX110AP. Plain black with a fabric finish versus ultraviolet purple.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the PDP Airlite for a gaming setup and the Sony MDR-ZX110AP for everything else. The PDP wins on the things that matter when you're playing: 40mm drivers, over-ear padding, a flip-to-mute boom mic and an official PlayStation licence. But it's a specialist — it makes sense if gaming is your main use. The Sony is the better all-rounder: lighter, more portable, with an in-line remote and mic that make it a genuine everyday headphone for music and calls. In my opinion, most people who aren't gaming every day should start with the Sony; if you are gaming every day, the PDP is the one I'd reach for.
FAQ
Yes — the spec sheet lists it as a PlayStation Official Licensed Product that works with PS5, PS4, PC and more, connecting over a 3.5mm jack. If your PC or controller has that port, you're set.
The Sony MDR-ZX110AP, clearly. Its in-line remote and built-in mic are designed for hands-free calls and switching between songs and calls. The PDP is a gaming headset with a boom mic aimed at voice chat, not phone use.
The PDP Airlite lists active noise cancellation as a feature, while the Sony lists noise control as none — so on paper the PDP is the one built to cut background sound. The Sony relies only on its closed-back, on-ear design for passive isolation.
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.
See also: Sony MDR-NC60 vs iClever BTH26, Skullcandy Mod vs Sony-Dropship MDR-ZX310AP, Krone Kalpasmos Sony MDR-XB550 vs CCA CRA+