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 ZX220BT Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£70Form factor:on-earConnectivity:wirelessBattery life:8 hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Sony MDR ZX220BT 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 ZX220BT
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 51% of models
Score components

80%

5.8

Technical score

20%

7.9

User score

▲Better than 51% 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 56% of models
Score components

70%

6.2

Overall score

30%

10

Price

▲Better than 56%
5.8

Technical score

Technical score
5.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 53% of models
Score components

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

4.1

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

▼Worse than 53%
7.9

User score

User score
7.9/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
▼Worse than 62%
  • sony-mdr-zx220bt
  • sony-mdr-zx220bt
  • sony-mdr-zx220bt
  • sony-mdr-zx220bt
sony-mdr-zx220bt
sony-mdr-zx220bt
sony-mdr-zx220bt
sony-mdr-zx220bt
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 ZX220BT

Technical score
Technical score
5.8/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 53% of models
Score components:

52%

5.8

Sound

20%

5.4

Features

10%

7.6

Design

8%

5.6

Connectivity

6%

4.1

Battery

4%

6.6

Calls & Controls

5.8
User score
User score
7.9/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 62% of models
Score components

70%

8.4

User ratings

30%

6.6

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
7.9
Popularity
Popularity
6.6/ 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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 59% of models
Popularity:
Sony MDR ZX220BT has a popularity score of 6.6 points, which is higher than that of 59.2% of products in this category.
6.6
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
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ 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
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% 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
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% 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
?
Show more
Connectivity
wireless
This pair of headphones supports wireless connectivity, more flexible connectivity than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 49.2% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
4.1
This pair of headphones uses Bluetooth version 4.1, newer Bluetooth version than 62.3% of headphones and equal to 5.4% of headphones.
Maximum Bluetooth range
10 m
Market range: <10 m – >15 m
This pair of headphones offers a Bluetooth range of 10 m, higher Bluetooth range than 2.7% of headphones and equal to 80.6% of headphones.
Audio latency
?
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
yes
This pair of headphones supports EQ customization. 76.8% 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
8 hours
Market range: <10 hours – >70 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life of 8 hours, lower battery life than 93.7% of headphones and equal to 4% of headphones.
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
2.5 hours
Market range: <1.5 hours – >3.5 hours
This pair of headphones needs 2.5 hours to charge, higher charging time than 53% of headphones and equal to 13% of headphones.
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
150 mAh
Market range: <290 mAh – >1k mAh
This pair of headphones has a battery capacity of 150 mAh, lower battery capacity than 97.1% of headphones and equal to 0.1% of headphones.
Show more
Brand name
Sony
Form factor
on-ear
Weight
130 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 130 g, lighter than 74.1% of headphones and equal to 0.7% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Sony MDR ZX220BT vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • 40.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (130 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    130 g vs 218 g
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • 40.4% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (130 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    130 g vs 218 g
  • Rechargeable battery
    This pair of headphones has a rechargeable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
  • More flexible connectivity
    This pair of headphones offers more flexible connectivity than the average pair of headphones (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
    wireless vs wired
  • AAC codec support
    This pair of headphones supports AAC, the average pair of headphones does not. 32.2% of headphones support AAC.
  • NFC pairing
    This pair of headphones supports NFC pairing, the average pair of headphones does not. 11.7% of headphones support NFC pairing.
  • On-device controls
    This pair of headphones includes on-device controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
  • Sidetone support
    This pair of headphones supports sidetone, the average pair of headphones does not. 25.3% of headphones support sidetone.
  • EQ customization
    This pair of headphones supports EQ customization, the average pair of headphones does not. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
  • 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.
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 74.1% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (150 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    150 mAh vs 580 mAh
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 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
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • 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.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
    no tangle-free listening cable is present or specified.
  • 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 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 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
  • 97.5% lower input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a lower max input power than the average pair of headphones (2.5 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    2.5 mW vs 100 mW
  • 22 hours shorter battery life
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery life than the average pair of headphones (8 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
    8 hours vs 30 hours
  • 0.5 hours longer charging time
    This pair of headphones has a higher charging time than the average pair of headphones (2.5 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
    2.5 hours vs 2 hours
  • 74.1% lower battery capacity
    This pair of headphones has a lower battery capacity than the average pair of headphones (150 mAh vs 580 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 580 mAh.
    150 mAh vs 580 mAh

Video reviews

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

Not graded yet
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 ZX220BT

  • Excellent value for the price, especially when found on sale
  • Balanced and clear sound quality with decent highs and mids
  • Reliable Bluetooth and NFC pairing that connects quickly to smartphones
  • Long-lasting battery life, typically providing 8–10 hours of playback
  • Lightweight and portable swivel-flat design
  • Effective built-in microphone for clear hands-free calls

What customers don't like about Sony MDR ZX220BT

  • On-ear design can cause ear fatigue or discomfort after 1–2 hours of use
  • Build quality feels somewhat cheap and plasticky
  • Lack of a 3.5mm auxiliary port for wired listening when the battery is dead
  • No active noise cancellation (ANC), leading to poor isolation in loud environments
  • Charging time is relatively slow, taking about an hour for a full charge
  • Volume levels may not be loud enough for some users in noisy cardio areas

Verdict

The Sony MDR-ZX220BT is a lightweight (130g) on-ear wireless headphone featuring 30mm dome drivers and a frequency response of 20Hz–20,000Hz. It utilizes Bluetooth 4.1 with NFC one-touch pairing for quick connectivity and includes a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. Key pros include its highly portable swivel-folding design, integrated volume and track controls, and an affordable price point. However, it is limited by a relatively short 8-hour battery life (requiring a 2.5-hour charge), a non-padded plastic headband that can cause discomfort during long sessions, and the lack of a wired backup option when the battery is depleted.

Compare Sony MDR ZX220BT 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 ZX220BT and other products in the Headphones category

No results found