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    • Best Wireless Headphones of 2019

    Best Wireless Headphones

    Personal headphones have come a long way over the past few years as technology continues to progress. The In-ear design which was popularized by Apple and now with the advent of Bluetooth means that wireless In-ear headphones are fast becoming the norm. In addition to In-ear headphones, there are also over the ear designs which has the advantage of longer battery life since they have more room to incorporate a larger battery and they're better suited to active sports since they provide a more secure fit. In-ear designs, on the other hand, are more compact and less obtrusive but typically cannot provide the same battery life given their smaller size. 

    In this comparison review, we’ll look at both In-ear and over the ear wireless headphones that use self-contained battery power to operate and pair with Bluetooth enabled devices. Nine different headphones from Seven different brands will be tested, compared and contrasted to determine which product excels best in a number of categories that matter most, namely: sound quality, design/fit, features, usability and overall value. Wireless headphones from industry veterans such as JBL, Jabra, Jlab Audio and Jaybird will be compared to those from relative upstarts such as Soul Electronics, Beats and xFyro. 

    Best Wireless Headphones

    Watch the following video overview to get a better understanding of all the headphones tested and find out which wireless headphones are the best and why.

    SHOW THE REST OF THE REVIEW
    BEST
    WIRELESS HEADPHONES
    JAYBIRD RUN XT xFYRO ARIA JBL ENDURANCE
    PEAK 
    JLAB AUDIO JBUDS AIR jbl free x GALAXY BUDS jaybird vista powerbeats
    pro
    jabra elite active 65t
    PRICE $229.99 $129.00 $129.95 $99.00 $129.95 $199.99 $239.99 $329.95 $249.99
    PLAY TIME 4hrs 8hrs 4hrs 3-4hrs 4hrs 6hrs 6hrs 9hrs 5hr
    TOTAL PLAY TIME 12hrs 32hrs 28hrs 13-14hrs 24hrs 13hrs 16hrs 24hrs 15hrs
    CHARGE TIME 2hrs 3hrs 1.5hrs 2hs 2hrs N/A 2hrs 1.5hrs 2hrs
    WEIGHT 13.66g 11g 24g 12g 14g 12g 12g 40.6g 12.3g
    VOLUME CONTROL No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
    WATERPROOF Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes No No

    Jaybird Run XT

    Jaybird’s Run XT are a true wireless sport headphone thanks to the IPX7 waterproof & sweatproof rating. The built-in Ear fins help ensure that the Run X’s stay put no matter your workout or adventure. With 4 sizes of ear tips and another 4 sizes of ear fins, the combination of fit options is almost endless. The redesigned earfin is more rounded and softer than before so having to deal with earphones falling out is not as much of an issue. One-touch voice control has Siri and Google Now at your beck and call and connecting via Bluetooth is super simple as all you have to do is take them out of the case. Custom EQ settings allow you to fine-tune your listening experience and with a quick charge time of just five minutes for one hour of playtime you won’t be left without your tunes should the 4-hour playtime run dry. To recharge, the carrying case supplies an additional 8 hours of playtime after a 2-hour charge. The Run XT's have an impressive bass end with adequate mid-range and an ability to play music loud, the high end, however, could use more resolution but this can be tweaked with the Jaybird App's EQ witch is fully customizable.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphones Jaybird Run XT

    Features:

    • Wireless In-ear
    • Premium sound with custom EQ
    • Sport fit
    • Music and calls
    • Find my buds in the app allows you to locate your earbuds
    • One-touch voice control
    • IPX7 waterproof & sweatproof
    • Noise Cancelling: Passive
    • Frequency response bandwidth: 20Hz - 20kHz
    • Sensitivity: 103 +/- 2dB at 1KHz
    • Driver size: 6mm

    In The Box:

    • Run XT True Wireless Buds
    • Ear Fins: 1/2/3/4
    • Round Ear Tips: S/M
    • Oval Ear Tips: S/M
    • Charge Case
    • USB Charging Cable

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    PROS:

    • Customization of buttons in app.
    • Compact stable design.
    • Voice commands and Siri are very handy.
    • Auto connect when removed from charge case is super simple.
    • Fully waterproof.
    • Great bass and live sound signature.

    CONS:

    • No volume control
    • Fit not always comfortable.
    • High latency/audio lag
    • Controls require a solid push and embed the buds into your ears more. 
    • Audio doesn’t stop when earbuds are removed from your ear.
    • Only bluetooth 4.0, not the new 5.0.
    • The case does not have magnetic retention so earbuds can fall out.
    • Sound not balanced and accurate.
    • Battery life is not that long.

    SPECS:

    Price: $229.99CAN / $199.99US
    Play Time: 4 hours (12 hours total play time with charge case)
    Charge Time: 2 hours
    Quick Charge Time: 5 min = 1 hour of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 13.66g / 0.48oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 7.5/10

    Sound        1.5/2
    Design/Fit  1.5/2
    Features     1.5/2
    Usability     1.5/2
    Value          1.5/2


    xFyro ARIA

    The xFyro ARIA Earphones are reasonably priced and provide a balanced and clear sound signature which is a good thing as there is no EQ adjustability nor available App. They are IP67 certified which means they are impervious to dust and water and can be immersed in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. 

    xFyro's ARIA Earphones come with 3 pairs of silicone eartips and 2 pairs of ear wings so that you can easily customize the fit for your specific ears which helps minimize them falling out during activities. The sound quality is very impressive considering the ARIA’s low price point however the audio lag while watching video was quite frequent and problematic. Also, the ARIA’s battery life is not nearly as long as stated which is unfortunate as the thought of a full 8 hours of playtime would have been very impressive.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone xFyro ARIA

    Features:

    • Materials: Aluminum Alloy, Silicone
    • 2-in-1 Wireless Earbuds And Charging Tube
    • IP67 Certified Dust-proof And Waterproof Technology
    • 5.0 + EDR Bluetooth Technology
    • 10 Meter Wireless Range
    • Aluminum Alloy Shell
    • Lightweight and Portable
    • Warranty: 1 Year Limited
    • Noise Cancellation: CVC 6.0 
    • Passive noise isolation
    • Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Sensitivity: 93±3dB at 1kHz
    • Driver size: 16mm

    In The Box:

    • xFyro Aria true wireless earbuds
    • Magnetic charging and carrying case
    • 3 pairs of silicone eartips
    • 2 pairs of ear wings
    • Micro-USB charging cable
    • User manual

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    PROS:

    • Long battery life.
    • Waterproof.
    • Volume control on earbuds.
    • Good sound quality.
    • Affordable.
    • On/off charge button in case.

    CONS:

    • Not the most comfortable
    • Stiff buttons.
    • Battery life not close to what is claimed.
    • No auto connect when removed from charging case.
    • Audio doesn’t stop when you remove an earbud.
    • Audio lag when watching video.

    SPECS:

    Price: $129CAN / $99US
    Play Time: 8 hours (32 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 3 hours 
    Quick Charge Time: 15 min = 3 hours of playtime

    Earbuds Weight: 11g / 0.388oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 7.5/10

    Sound        1.5/2
    Design/Fit  1.5/2
    Features    1.5/2
    Usability    1/2
    Value         2/2


    JBL Endurance Peak

    JBL gets two mentions in this comparison review with their Endurance Peak and Free X headphones. The reason for this is JBL’s more than affordable price point, in this case, $129.95CAN / $95.95US as well as the Endurance Peak's impressive sound quality. With an intense bass and crisp highs, the Endurance Peak headphones will go on satisfying for hours given their ability to play for up to 28 hours with the 24 hour boost the charge case provides.  

    With an exceptionally secure fit thanks to their over the ear design and an IPX7 waterproof & sweatproof rating the Endurance Peak headphones are ideally suited for sports and outdoor adventure when regular in-ear headphone may fall out. Despite there less than refined look the Endurance Peak’s have an innovative touch control that doesn’t require any button clicks, something that hampers the usability of most other in-ear headphones since they are embedded further into your ear canal with every click.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone JBL Endurance Peak

    Features:

    • Wireless
    • IPX7 waterproof & sweatproof
    • Hands-free calling
    • Mono and steroids mode
    • Can switch them off with out storing in the case
    • Noise Cancelling: Passive
    • Frequency response: 16Hz – 22 kHz
    • Sensitivity: 9.5dB at 1KHZ
    • Driver size: 10mm

    In The Box:

    • JBL Endurance Peak Headphones
    • 3 earbud tips
    • Stability Enhancer
    • USB charging cable
    • Charging case

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    PROS:

    • Affordable price.
    • Good sound quality, intense bass and crisp highs.
    • Stable design for sports.
    • Touch controls not buttons.
    • Huge battery life.

    CONS:

    • Bulkier design than other truly wireless in-ears.
    • High latency
    • Controls are not the best layout.
    • No app to support them.
    • Charging case is clunky and heavy
    • No voice commands just beeps.
    • Not the nicest looking.
    • Pairing is not the quickest.
    • Controls only on one earphone.

    SPECS:

    Price: $129.95CAN / $95.95US
    Play Time: 4 hours (28 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 1.5 hours
    Quick Charge Time: 10 min = 1 hour of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 24g / 0.85oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 8/10

    Sound        1.5/2
    Design/Fit 1.5/2
    Features    1.5/2
    Usability    1.5/2
    Value         2/2


    Jlab Audio JBuds Air

    The Jlab Audio JBuds Air are a very affordable true wireless headphone that offers up a lot of tech and features for its minimal price. With a similar design to the JBL Free X, the JBuds Air’s have a single button on each earbud in order to control volume, music and take calls. There are also three built-in EQ settings for those that like to change their audio settings, these are Signature, Balanced, and Bass Boost. You need only pair the JLab JBud Airs once and they will start to play consistently as soon as you remove them from the charging case. Once back in the charge case they are held there with small magnets so they won’t fall out. The case also has a charge indicator so you know their status. The JBuds Air’s are entry-level wireless earbuds which provide good value with moderate quality overall.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone Jlab Audio JBuds Air

    Features:

    • 3-14 hours Bluetooth playtime
    • Included charging case
    • Class 1 Bluetooth 5 connection
    • IP55 sweat resistance
    • 3 EQ sound settings built-in: JLab Signature, Balanced, Bass Boost
    • Auto on & connect out of the case
    • JLab Two Year Warranty
    • One-touch voice control
    • Noise Cancelling: Passive
    • Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Sensitivity: 103 +/- 2dB at 1KHz
    • Driver size: 8mm

    In The Box:

    • JBuds Air Earbuds
    • Charging Case
    • 3 Sets Gel Tips

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    PROS:

    • Very affordable.
    • Three EQ modes (Signature, Balanced, Bass Boost)
    • Auto Connect when removed form the charge case.
    • Built-in charge cable with case.
    • Magnetic retention of earbuds in the case so they don’t fall out.

    CONS:

    • Buttons can require a hard push and embed the earbuds deeper in your ears. 
    • Shorter than average battery life.
    • Calls only use the right ear bud.
    • Ear bud fit is not ideal and fall out occasionally.
    • Sounds is not as pure and refined as it could be as the clarity and midrange frequency suffer.
    • Audio lag when watching video.

    SPECS:

    Price: $99CAN / $49US
    Play Time: 3-4 hours ( 13-14 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 2 hours
    Quick Charge Time: 15 min = 1 hour of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 12g / 0.42oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 8/10

    Sound        1.5/2
    Design/Fit 1.5/2
    Features    1.5/2
    Usability    1.5/2
    Value         2/2


    JBL Free X

    JBL’s Free X earbuds offer up a lot of value for their nominal price tag of $129.95CAN / $99.95US. Their sleek and refined design doesn’t rely on any fins to stay in your ears which means they are very comfortable to wear over longer periods of time. While the charging case is larger than most, it provides an impressive 20 hours of additional playtime with a 2 hour charge. The case is sleek and stylish with a series of charging lights and a hidden charge port, they also use magnets to ensure the Free X earbuds don’t fall out.

    The audio quality is very clean with a clear and full mid-range that provides rich tones, a good bass extension and clean highs with little overall audible distortion across the frequency spectrum. With no associated app it's a good thing they sound so good right out of the case.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone JBL Free X

    Features:

    • Wireless In-ear
    • One-touch voice control
    • IPX5 splashproof & sweatproof
    • Noise Cancelling: No
    • Frequency response: 10Hz – 22kHz
    • Sensitivity: 9.5dB at 1kHz/1mW (dB)
    • Driver size: 5.6mm

    In The Box:

    • JBL Free headphones
    • Charging case
    • 2 x sets of gel sleeves (M, L)
    • 3 x sets of silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
    • Micro USB charging cable

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    PROS:

    • Affordable price.
    • Compact sleek design.
    • Decent sound quality.
    • Impressive playback time.
    • Appealing overall design.
    • Comfortable to wear.
    • Siri/ Google Now voice control.
    • Buttons have a soft touch.
    • Case has magnetic retention so earbuds don’t fall out.

    CONS:

    • No volume controls.
    • High latency.
    • Don’t come ready to use out of the box, you have to pre-charge them.
    • Charge Case is large.
    • Pairing is not the quickest.
    • No voice commands just beeps.
    • No app to adjust settings.
    • Voice calls are only in one ear.

    SPECS:

    Price: $129.95CAN / $99.95US
    Play Time: 4 hours (24 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 2 hours 
    Earbuds Weight: 14g / 0.52oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 8.5/10

    Sound        2/2
    Design/Fit 1.5/2
    Features    1/2
    Usability    2/2
    Value         2/2


    Samsung Galaxy Buds

    Samsung’s Galaxy Buds are well designed—small on stature but big on features. They offer good overall sounds quality with a respectable 6 hours of battery life and a further 7 hours via the charging case. Wireless Charging is also an option for the Galaxy Bud’s case with any Samsung S10 Phone or Qi wireless charging mat. If this isn’t an option for you then the included USB-C charging cable will do the trick.

    The Galaxy Bud’s touchpad control buttons require almost no effort to use and are customizable through Samsung’s Wearable App. In the App you’ll find a long list of other options including an audio EQ, ambient sound feature and a 'find my buds' option. While the app is only available for Android devices the Galaxy Buds can still be used with an iOS device although with a much more limited feature set. 

    While not completely waterproof the Galaxy Bud’s IPX2 rating ensures they can repel light rain or sweat. Their compact and rounded design is pleasing on the eye and there are four colour options for those fashion conscious music lovers.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone Galaxy Buds

    Features:

    • Connect right out of the charge case
    • Splash resistance IPX2 
    • Wireless Charging on the S10 Phone or any Qi wireless charging mat
    • Integrated voice assistant support.
    • Inner and outer mics
    • Adaptive dual microphones to dampen background noise
    • Customizable buttons
    • Ambient Sound mode activation
    • EQ app
    • USB-C charger port
    • Noise Cancelling: TBD
    • Frequency response: TBD Hz – kHz
    • Sensitivity: TBD bD at 1KHZ
    • Driver size: 5.8mm

    In The Box:

    • Earbuds
    • Two additional sizes of wingtips
    • Two additional sizes of eartips
    • Wireless charging case
    • USB Cable
    • Quick start guide

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    PROS:

    • Connect right out of the charge case.
    • Good sound isolation.
    • Magnetic retention in the charge case.
    • Touchpad buttons require very little force to use.
    • Find my Earbuds feature.
    • Small and stylish design with good fit.

    CONS:

    • Not fully waterproof.
    • App not available for iOS users and so apple users will miss out on important features.
    • Charge case only has one additional full charge in it.
    • Not set up out of the box to have volume control on earbuds.
    • When you remove an ear but the audio does not stop.

    SPECS:

    Price: $199CAN / $129US
    Play Time: 6 hours (13 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: TDB hours (15 minute charge provides 1.7 hour of playtime)
    Earbuds Weight: 12g / 0.423oz
    Compatibility: Android / iOS
    Colours: Black, Silver, Yellow, White

    RATING: 8/10

    Sound        1.5/2
    Design/Fit 2/2
    Features    1.5/2
    Usability    1.5/2
    Value         1.5/2


    Jaybird VISTA

    The new Jaybird VISTA Truly Wireless Sport Headphones were just released and said to be a replacement for the company's popular Run XT headphones. Their light weight design and low-profile charge case won’t slow you down as it easily stashes in a pocket or pack. With an impressive 6 hours of playtime (another 10 hours via the charging case) the Jaybird VISTA’s will keep the music playing long after your run is done. They are IPX7 waterproof rated and also sweat-proof and crush-proof so they’ll take some abuse. Their redesigned 6mm drivers deliver an improved sound with more precision, less harmonic distortion and better accuracy when compared to their predecessor. If the sound is still not up to your standards then the Jaybird app will help with that given its adjustable EQ that has a personal setting which is based upon your own unique preferences and hearing. In addition to this, Jaybird has created a very handy ‘Find My Buds’ feature which will help you locate the earbuds should they go missing.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone Jaybird VISTA

    Features:

    • IPX7 waterproof rated
    • sweat-proof and crush-proof
    • Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
    • App with Custom EQ settings
    • Effective Range of 10m / 30ft
    • Stereo phone calls mic in each earbud
    • Find my buds option
    • Noise Cancelling: passive
    • Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
    • Sensitivity: 103.5 +-1.5dB at 1KHz
    • Driver size: 6mm
    • In The Box:

    • True Wireless Earbuds
    • Charging Case
    • USB Charging Cable
    • Silicon eargels sizes 1, 2, 3

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    PROS:

    • Durable, sweatproof and waterproof.
    • Find My Buds feature.
    • App with Custom EQ settings.
    • Compact Case design.
    • Great sound.

    CONS:

    • Don’t stop playing when removed from ears.
    • Don’t automatically connect when removed from case.
    • Expensive.

    SPECS:

    Price: $239.99CAN / $179.99US
    Play Time: 6 hours ( 16 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 2hrs
    Quick Charge Time: 5 min = 1 hour of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 12g / 0.42oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android

    RATING: 8.5/10

    Sound        2/2
    Design/Fit 1.5/2
    Features    2/2
    Usability    1.5/2
    Value         1.5/2


    Powerbeats Pro 

    Beats by Dr. Dre are behind the genius of the Powerbeats Pro so it’s no wonder that when Apple came calling and they answered. With an unparalleled user experience that includes out of the case sync and auto play, Siri hands-free voice control, ambidextrous controls on each headphone (including volume rocker control), iOS charge status and much more, the Powerbeats Pro are a very ‘apple-like’ product. The sound quality is not a bass heavy as most other Beats headphone and has a slightly flatter sound signature, but still, the Powerbeats Pro provides a rich sound throughout the spectrum and no latency.

    With a 9 hour playback you will surely quit before they do and if you don’t well then the charging case has a further 15 hours of playtime to re-juice the Powerbeats Pros. If you are short on time then a 5-minute charge will provide 1.5 hour of playtime and a 15-minute charge, 4.5 hours.

    The over the ear design means that the Powerbeats Pro are never, and I mean never, going to fall out of your ears. These are the ultimate sport headphone even though they are only IPX4 water and splash resistant rated. While the over the ear design has its perks it does mean that the charging case is larger than most and not pocket compatible.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone Powerbeats Pro

    Features:

    • Wireless In-ear-over-the-ear mount
    • Sweat and water-resistant
    • Adjustable, secure-fit earhooks
    • Hands-free controls
    • IPX4 water and splash resistant rating
    • Siri hands-free voice control
    • Noise Isolation: Passive
    • Frequency response: TBD
    • Sensitivity: TBD
    • Driver size: 12mm 

    In The Box:

    • Powerbeats Pro totally wireless earphones
    • Charging case
    • Eartips with four size options
    • Lightning to USB-A charging cable

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    PROS:

    • Good battery life.
    • Ambidextrous controls.
    • Rich sound.
    • Stable design for sports.
    • Siri hands-free voice control.
    • Auto-Synch right out of the case.
    • Stops playing when removed from ears.
    • Mirrored soft touch controls on each earphone.
    • Premium design.
    • No latency thanks to the Apple H1 chip.

    CONS:

    • Pricey.
    • Large charge case that won’t fit in your pocket.
    • Charge with lightning cable and not micro USB.
    • Hook design is larger than true wireless In-ear.
    • No noise-cancellation and limited noise isolation.
    • Only an IPX4 water and splash resistant rating.
    • No app for adjusting sound quality.

    SPECS:

    Price: $329.95CAN / $249US
    Play Time: 9 hours (24 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 1.5 hours
    Quick Charge Time: 5 min = 1.5 hours of playtime and 15
    minute = 4.5 hours of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 40.6g / 1.43oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android
    Colours: Black, Ivory, Navy, Moss

    RATING: 9/10

    Sound         2/2
    Design/Fit  2/2
    Features     1.5/2
    Usability     2/2
    Value          1.5/2


    Jabra Elite Active 65T 

    The Jabra Elite Active 65T’s are premium earbuds with an innovative in-ear design that uses forward-facing fin design to ensure they never fall out. While many competing brands use a vertical fin on the top of the earbuds that protrudes into your ear and can cause discomfort over time, Jabra’s approach was to place them forward where they are much more comfortable over longer-term use. The result is one of the most comfortable Bluetooth earbuds tested. Their in-ear stability lends them well to sports and adventures as does their IP56 rated sweat and dust resistance which is backed up with a 2-year warranty. The integrated motion sensor not only stops the audio when you remove one of the earbuds but also can track your workout performance.

    The audio quality is impressive with the right amount of punch though the treble range can be a little sharp at times, luckily you can make changes to the audio with the customizable equalizer in Jabra's free App. With 5 hours of playtime on a single charge, or a quick charge of just 15 minutes for 1.5 hours of audio the Jabra Elite Active 65T will last a through a long work-out session and when you need more juice simply pop them into the charging case which provides two more full charges after only two hours of charge time.

    Best Wireless Headphones
    Best Wireless Headphone Jabra Elite Active 65T

    Features:

    • Secure-fitting design for enhanced in-ear stability and multiple sized ear gels for a Customized fit
    • Track workout performance with an integrated motion sensor
    • 3rd generation true wireless stability that reduces call and music dropouts. 
    • 4-Microphone technology for clear calls
    • Personalize your music with customizable equalizer. 
    • Wireless range of up to 33 feet
    • Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity
    • IP56 rated with 2-year warranty against sweat and dust
    • One-touch access to Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Now
    • 2 year warranty
    • Noise Cancelling: Passive
    • Ambient noise reduction
    • Frequency response: 20Hz – 20kHz
    • Sensitivity: 103 dB at 1KHz
    • Driver size: 6mm

    In The Box:

    • Charging Case
    • Micro USB cable
    • 3 sets of Silicon EarGels
    • Quick Start Guide
    • Warranty and Warning Leaflets

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    PROS:

    • Hearthrough technology is ideal for outdoor sports.
    • Comfortable and secure fit.
    • Accelerometer for run tracking.
    • In-app audio customization.
    • Great balanced sound.
    • Auto start/stop when you remove or insert an earpod.
    • Integrated Siri voice commands.
    • Volume control.
    • Rocker switch with a soft-touch.

    CONS:

    • Pricey.
    • Charging case could be easier to open by using a magnetic closure.
    • Not completely waterproof.
    • Battery life is on the low end.
    • Ear pods are not held magnetically in the case and can fall out.

    SPECS:

    Price: $249.99CAN / $179.99US
    Play Time: 5 hours (15 hours total playtime with charge case)
    Charge Time: 2 hours Quick Charge Time: 15 min = 1.5 hours of playtime
    Earbuds Weight: 12.3g / 0.433oz
    Compatibility: iOS / Android
    Colours: Titanium Black, Copper Blue, Copper Red

    RATING: 9.5/10

    Sound        2/2
    Design/Fit 2/2
    Features    2/2
    Usability    2/2
    Value         1.5/2


    Best Wireless Headphones

    Verdict:

    Best Sound
    Sound is a very personal thing, what one person loves another may hate—but there is one thing that we can all agree upon, latency in a wireless Bluetooth headphone just plain sucks. If the headphones can’t keep up to the music or your video’s audio then it’s simply not worth it. Similarly, if the sound quality is lacking and not up to your expectations then you're not going to enjoy using them, this is where an included app with a built-in EQ is very handy to have. This, however, this still doesn’t ensure that it can improve mediocre audio. One thing that greatly influences audio quality is an earbud’s fit and how well it blocks out ambient noise.  This passive noise reduction goes a long way to maximizing audio enjoyment but certainly doesn’t guarantee it.

    Top picks for discerning audiophiles are the JBL Free X, Jaybird VISTA and coming out on top of the pile—the Powerbeats Pro and Jabra Elite Active 65T.

    Best Design/Fit
    Fit is another subjective criteria as everyone’s ears are different and in some cases your left or right ear may be different from the other. Every Earphone tested came complete with a variety of eartips and earwings or fins as some brands call them. These help customize the earbuds to fit most ear shapes and sizes out there. The only way to ensure that earbuds don’t fall out, however, is to use an over the ear design which securely hooks then behind your ear. While this eliminated one issue it does make then much more bulky, heavy and obtrusive. Both the JBL Endurance Peak and the Powerbeats Pro use this design though the Powerbeats Pro are much more refined in their design and execution.

    The headphones with the best overall design and fit went to the Jabra Elite Active 65T and the Powerbeats Pro, with the Elite Active 65T being a true in-ear earpod design and the Powerbeats Pro using the over the ear design.

    Best Features
    Features not only provide some ‘wow-factor’ to wireless earbuds but they also enhance the overall experience by improving sound, use and durability. Some of the best features found on the headphones tested were the ability for them to automatically connect when they are removed from their charging case and the auto stop/stop of audio when earbuds were removed from or placed in your ears. One-touch voice control, a waterproof/dustproof rating and magnetic retention so earbuds don’t fall out of their charging case were also features that got high praise. Hearthrough technology was an innovative new feature for outdoor sports like running and biking while those headphones that came with an included app and customizable equalizer to personalize your music with also got high marks.

    Again in this category, the Jabra Elite Active 65T and the Powerbeats Pro came out on top with an honourable mention for the Jaybird VISTA and Galaxy Buds, however, the Galaxy Buds require a Samsung phone to take full advantage of their app and all the features that it provides.

    Best Usability
    Aside from sound quality and fit, usability is of utmost importance as day-to-day use quickly diminishes inferior headphones and elevates great ones. The most important criteria for usability has to be battery life. This includes built-in playtime, quick charge time and total playtime when the charging case is considered. Not far behind is button pressure and the effort required to use them as well as how the control set is laid out as it has to be intuitive and easy to use. No volume control on the earbuds is a huge design deficiency since this means you'd have to use the controls on your phone which makes it very inconvenient. The earbuds themselves also have to be small and compact as this greatly affects the size of their charge case and if it can be placed in a pocket or not.

    Overall, the Jabra Elite Active 65T  and the Powerbeats Pro scored top marks for usability which is no surprise as they were also tops in most other categories which make sense since they were the two most expensive earphones tested.

    Best Value
    While price is not everything, it sure helps when you can get full-featured wireless headphones without breaking the bank. Typically this is not the case as the more expensive the headphones the better they generally are. On the economical end of the scale, the Jlab Audio JBuds Air at $99CAN / $49US are a bargain at just $99.99CAN / $69.99US. At the top end are the Powerbeats Pro at a hefty $329.95CAN / $249US. The remainder of those headphones reviewed were priced in the neighbourhood of $129.95CAN / $95.95US to $239.99CAN / $179.99US. 

    Balancing quality and features with price saw the best value going to JBL Free X and JBL Endurance Peak came out on top.
    BEST
    WIRELESS HEADPHONES
    JAYBIRD RUN XT xFYRO ARIA JBL ENDURANCE
    PEAK 
    JLAB AUDIO JBUDS AIR jbl free x GALAXY BUDS jaybird vista powerbeats
    pro
    jabra elite active 65t
    BEST SOUND 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 2/2 1.5/2 2/2 2/2 2/2
    BEST DESIGN/FIT 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 2/2 1.5/2 2/2 2/2
    BEST FEATURES 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1/2 1.5/2 2/2 1.5/2 2/2
    BEST USABILITY 1.5/2 1/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 2/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 2/2 2/2
    BEST VALUE 1.5/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2 1.5/2
    RATING 7.5/10 7.5/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 8.5/10 9/10 9.5/10

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    Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation. You'll need to login or register before you can comment but it only takes a few seconds, then you're good to go.

    • Jenn Sabean
      September 17, 2019 09:21
      #
      Thanks for this super helfpul and timely review! I was just waffling between a MEC and Pagaonia rain jacket (which weren't brands included here), but found this breakdown so useful it swayed me to try Black Diamond's Stormline which seems great.
      • Backcountry Skiing Canada Admin
        October 9, 2019 12:16
        #
        Hey Jenn, glad to hear you found our review helpful. It's always difficult to determine the best gear for the money so this is what we aim to simplify with our Best Of reviews. Stay tuned for a few more this winter on Mid Layers and Micro Down Jackets. We hope you enjoy the  Black Diamond Stormline Jacket as much as we did.

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