OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Headphones Methodology v1.0
Headphones Methodology v1.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Headphones Methodology v1.0

Sony MDR ZX100 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£20Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR ZX100 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Sony MDR ZX100
6.2/10

Overall score

Score
6.2/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 52% of models
Score components

80%

5.5

Technical score

20%

9.1

User score

â–²Better than 52% of headphones
7.4

Value for money

Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 56% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–²Better than 56%
5.5

Technical score

Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 71%
9.1

User score

User score
9.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components

70%

8.7

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
★Better than 94%
  • sony-mdr-zx100
  • sony-mdr-zx100
  • sony-mdr-zx100
sony-mdr-zx100
sony-mdr-zx100
sony-mdr-zx100
Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
Loading category ranking...

Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Sony MDR ZX100

Technical score
Technical score
5.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 71% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.4

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

3.8

Calls & Controls

5.5
User score
User score
9.1/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 94% of models
Score components

70%

8.7

User ratings

30%

10

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
9.1
Popularity
Popularity
10/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 92% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR ZX100 has a popularity score of 10 points, which is higher than that of 91.9% of products in this category.
10
Value for money
Value for money
7.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 56% of models
Score components:

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

7.4
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
30 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 30 mm, smaller driver size than 77.4% of headphones and equal to 4.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
12 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 12 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 64.9% of headphones and equal to 2.1% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
no
This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while 15.1% is. 84.9% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
Show more
Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
Show more
Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
yes
This pair of headphones supports voice assistants. 39.2% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
120 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 120 g, lighter than 75.6% of headphones and equal to 0.8% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR ZX100 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • 45% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (120 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    120 g vs 218 g
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4.5x cheaper
    Sony MDR ZX100 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£20 vs £90).
    £20 vs £90
  • 13.5% higher user score
    User score
    9.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR ZX100
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR ZX100 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.08 vs 8).
    9.08 vs 8
  • 70.4% more popular
    Sony MDR ZX100 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 20 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    130 dB vs 110 dB
  • 4.5x cheaper
    Sony MDR ZX100 is cheaper than the average pair of headphones (£20 vs £90).
    £20 vs £90
  • 13.5% higher user score
    User score
    9.1/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
    When it matters
    When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Sony MDR ZX100
    the average pair of headphones
    Sony MDR ZX100 has a higher user score than the average pair of headphones (9.08 vs 8).
    9.08 vs 8
  • 70.4% more popular
    Sony MDR ZX100 is more popular than the average pair of headphones (10 vs 5.9).
    10 vs 5.87
  • 45% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (120 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    120 g vs 218 g
  • 6 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (12 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    12 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 10x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,000 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,000 mW vs 100 mW
  • 20 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (130 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    130 dB vs 110 dB
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 10 mm smaller driver size
    This pair of headphones has smaller driver size than the average pair of headphones (30 mm vs 40 mm). The average headphones use a driver size of 40 mm.
    30 mm vs 40 mm
  • 2 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    100 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • Not headset-ready
    This pair of headphones is not headset-ready, while the average pair of headphones is. 84.8% of headphones can be used as headsets.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
OSReviews
≈ estimated
28/07/2016
Hands-on review · comfort, sound and noise isolation tests
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX100 is very good for the money: comfortable with clear sound, though the bass is weak.
9.0
Elite Sim
≈ estimated
31/08/2013
Hands-on review · design, comfort and sound impression
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX100 is impressive for the budget, with comfort and sound that beat many rivals, though its build is basic.
8.0
Harris Craycraft
≈ estimated
07/02/2013
Short review · sound, comfort and value notes
Verdict
Sony MDR-ZX100 gives good sound for the price, though it won't rival expensive headphones and feels tight after hours.
Not graded
Overview video
Not graded yet
Not graded yet
Not graded yet

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Sony MDR ZX100

  • Outstanding value for the price (often found under $20)
  • Lightweight and portable design with swivel earcups for easy storage
  • Balanced sound profile with clear mids and decent treble for budget audio
  • Sturdy construction for the price, often recommended for children and students
  • Comfortable soft ear cushions suitable for moderate listening sessions
  • Tangle-resistant flat ribbon cable design

What customers don't like about Sony MDR ZX100

  • Lacks deep or powerful bass compared to more expensive models
  • On-ear (supra-aural) design can cause ear fatigue after several hours
  • Short cord length may be inconvenient for some setups
  • Limited passive noise isolation; sound can be heard by others at high volumes
  • Primarily plastic build can feel flimsy and may break over time
  • No built-in microphone or inline remote for phone calls

Verdict

The Sony MDR-ZX100 is a lightweight, on-ear wired headphone featuring 30mm dynamic drivers with neodymium magnets and a frequency response of 12Hz to 22,000Hz. These closed-back headphones offer a 24-ohm impedance and 100dB/mW sensitivity, delivering a balanced sound profile with clear highs and decent bass for their compact size. Key pros include a highly portable, swivel-folding design, soft pressure-relieving cushions for initial comfort, and a durable 1.2m flat Y-type cable designed to resist tangling. However, potential drawbacks include a predominantly plastic construction that may feel flimsy over time, lack of an integrated microphone or remote for calls, and on-ear pressure that can cause discomfort during extended listening sessions.

Compare Sony MDR ZX100 with other products in the Headphones category

1Product to compare no. 1
VS
2Product to compare no. 2
VS
3Product to compare no. 3 (optional)

Graphic comparison of Sony MDR ZX100 and other products in the Headphones category

No results found