We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired, battery-optional over-ear set with active noise cancellation and a marathon runtime on a single AAA, choose SONY MDR-ZX110NC; if you need a fully wireless, sweat-proof sport earbud with earhooks and a charging case, choose Berufexp Earbuds. Two very different tools for two very different jobs — and the right pick comes down to how and where you actually listen.
• SONY MDR-ZX110NC — biggest strength: Active Noise Cancellation that Sony says cuts ambient noise by up to 95%, plus up to 80 hours of playback from one AAA battery — and it still works as a plain wired headphone when the battery dies.
• SONY MDR-ZX110NC — biggest trade-off: It's wired, with a 4 ft cord, so you're tethered to your device. No Bluetooth, no charging case, no waterproof rating.
• Berufexp Earbuds — biggest strength: Bluetooth 5.4 wireless freedom, IPX7 waterproofing, secure earhooks, and 75 hours total playback with a charging case that has dual LED battery displays.
• Berufexp Earbuds — biggest trade-off: No charger is included, it's in-ear only (no over-ear comfort option), and the 8-hour per-charge figure is far shorter than Sony's single-battery runtime.
• Pick the SONY if you want long-haul, low-hassle listening on planes, trains or at a desk — and don't mind a cable.
• Pick the Berufexp if you want to move freely, sweat hard, and take calls on the go.
The MDR-ZX110NC is built around one idea: kill the noise around you and keep going for a very long time. Sony rates its noise-cancelling processing at up to 95% ambient noise reduction, which is the headline feature here. That's the kind of thing that matters on a plane, a commuter train, or in a noisy open office. The 30mm dynamic drivers are there to deliver a full-frequency response, and the design is a supra-aural (on-ear) over-the-head fit with pressure-relieving ear cushions meant to stay comfortable over long sessions.
Who should buy it: frequent travelers, commuters, students, and desk workers who want active noise cancellation, long comfort sessions, and a cable they never have to think about charging. Anyone who hates juggling charging cases will appreciate that it runs on a cheap, replaceable battery and still functions passively.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants true wireless freedom, a sweat-proof rating, or an in-ear sport fit. There's no Bluetooth here, no IP rating, and the 4 ft cable is a hard tether. If you're a runner or a gym-goer, this isn't the tool.
Berufexp Earbuds: Who It's For
The Berufexp Earbuds are the opposite philosophy: total freedom of movement. These are true wireless in-ear buds with an over-ear hook design, built specifically for sport and fitness. The ergonomic earhooks use a medical-grade TPU material, and the whole package carries an IPX7 waterproof rating — that covers sweat, rain, and splashes, so outdoor and intense indoor workouts won't threaten them.
Sound and calls are handled by 13.7mm dynamic drivers, which are large for earbuds and point toward deep bass and clear highs. On the mic side, ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) is rated to reduce background noise by around 80% for clearer calls in noisy places. Connectivity runs on Bluetooth 5.4 with a 33 ft (10m) range, auto-reconnect, and support for HSP/HFP/A2DP/AVRCP profiles, so it pairs with iOS, Android, laptops and tablets.
Battery life is 7–8 hours per charge, extended to 75 hours total with the charging case. That case has dual LED screens showing real-time battery status for both the buds and the case — a genuinely useful touch. Controls are physical push buttons rather than touch, which many people prefer for precise, no-guesswork commands. One thing to flag up front: no charger is included, so you'll need to supply your own. There's also a listed 50ms audio latency, worth knowing if you're sensitive to lip-sync delay on video.
Who should buy it: runners, gym-goers, cyclists, and anyone who takes calls while moving. The earhooks and IPX7 rating are the whole point.
Who should skip it: anyone who wants over-ear comfort, wired reliability with zero pairing, or a set that works without any charging at all.
• Best for noise cancellation on a budget of hassle → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. Up to 95% ambient noise reduction from active noise cancelling.
• Best for total battery runtime → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. Up to 80 hours on one AAA battery dwarfs the Berufexp's 75-hour case-included figure.
• Best for wireless freedom → Berufexp Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.4 with a 33 ft range and auto-reconnect.
• Best for workouts and sweat → Berufexp Earbuds. IPX7 waterproofing plus secure TPU earhooks.
• Best for clear calls on the move → Berufexp Earbuds. ENC mics rated to cut about 80% of background noise.
• Best for never thinking about charging → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. It works as a standard wired headphone with no battery at all.
• Best for long comfort sessions → SONY MDR-ZX110NC. On-ear pressure-relieving cushions and a foldable, portable frame.
• Best for precise controls → Berufexp Earbuds. Physical push buttons instead of fiddly touch controls.
If I had to buy one, I'd pick the SONY MDR-ZX110NC — for the simple reason that its active noise cancelling and up-to-80-hour AAA runtime cover the widest range of everyday listening, and it keeps working even with a dead battery. That combination is hard to beat for travel, commuting and desk work. That said, I'd recommend the Berufexp Earbuds without hesitation to anyone whose priority is wireless movement, sweat protection and taking calls on the go. Match the tool to the job and you won't regret either.
No. It's a wired headphone with a 4 ft cord and a 3.5mm jack. It does have active noise cancellation, but there's no Bluetooth.
Yes — that's their core design. The earhooks use medical-grade TPU and the IPX7 rating handles sweat, rain and splashes.
Sony lists up to 80 hours from a single AAA battery. The Berufexp buds give 7–8 hours per charge and 75 hours total with the case, but that requires recharging the case.
No charger is included, so you'll need to use your own. They do include a charging case, cable, ear cushions and eartips.
Both are sold on Amazon, and prices change often — check the latest price on Amazon using the button on this page before you decide.
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