Jabra Elite 65t Review

The Jabra Elite 65t are the first truly wireless earbuds we've found that provide a confidence inspiring, snug fit that can stand up to hard workouts and running. They also sound better than any other pair of earbuds we've tested.

Should I Get the standard Elite 65t or the Active Version?

The Jabra Elite 65t comes in a standard version and an active version. The more expensive Active model comes with three minor upgrades: a slightly grippier finish on the outside of the buds, an accelerometer, and a higher water resistance rating. Currently, the accelerometer feels like a throwaway, as all it can do is track your steps in the Jabra app (which requires the use of a phone that likely has a native step tracking app anyway). There is the chance that Jabra could add more accelerometer capabilities with future software updates, but as it stands now we don't find this to be a compelling feature.

As far as water resistance goes, the standard Jabra Elite is rated IPX5 (which is essentially very water resistant) and the Jabra Active Elite is rated IPX6 (which is essentially very very water resistant, but not quite waterproof). The standard definition for IPX5 is, "Protected from low pressure water streams at any angle," so unless you tend to produce high pressure, projectile sweat, we don't think the higher IPX6 rating is needed. However, if you do sweat a lot and a higher rating would lend some peace of mind, it may be worth the extra money.

Should I Get the Jabra Elite 65t or Apple AirPods?

This really comes down to what you plan on using your earbuds for. For working out and running we found the Jabra Elite 65t to feel infinitely more secure. That's not to say you can't use the AirPods for athletic pursuits. We never had them fall out during a run, and we even know of someone that ran the Boston Marathon with a pair of AirPods. However, the Jabra Elite certainly felt more secure and left us feeling more confident that they wouldn't fall out while on the road.

The Jabra Elite also sounds better, with better clarity and slightly better bass. This is partially due to the fact that the rubber earpieces effectively block out most outside noise, something the all plastic Apple AirPods don't do. This noise blocking can be a problem if you're running on busy streets, however. Jabra gets around this problem by offering a HearThrough feature that lets you adjust how much noise seeps in through the earbuds. Just remember, this feature utilizes the microphones, so you can expect a drop in battery life when it is turned on.

The main advantage of the AirPods is the slightly smaller carrying case and the looser, less constrictive fit. Both of these things are great for travel (the secure, ear canal blocking fit of the Jabra Elite can be uncomfortable for long periods). Bottom line, we reach for the AirPods when we're heading for the airport, and the Jabra Elite 65t when we're heading for the gym.

What About the Bose SoundSport Free?

If you're choosing between the Jabra Elite 65t and the Bose SoundSport Free, we wholeheartedly recommend the Jabra Elite 65t. These buds sound better, fit more securely, have better battery life, and are slightly less expensive. We don't think it's a competition at all.

Performance Comparison

The Jabra Elite 65t reigned supreme over all of our other earbuds, earning the top overall score.

Sound Quality

These Jabra Elite 65t was the best sounding pair of earbuds we tested, earning the top score of 9 out of 10.

The exceptional clarity is what really set these buds apart from the pack, making everything from podcasts to crowded instrumental compositions sound great. The bass is also decently powerful, leading to a very full and engrossing overall sound. The tight fit of these earbuds blocks out most ambient noise, making them great for noisy environments. If you want to hear what's going on around you (if you're running on the road, perhaps) you can use the HearThrough feature to let some sound in. However, this feature does drain the battery a bit faster as it requires the use of the microphones. The app also lets you adjust the EQ of the buds. If you're picky about sound quality, these are the earbuds for you.

Call Quality

These earbuds pack a microphone into each bud, leading to crystal clear calls and solid filtering of ambient noise, meaning whoever you call likely won't be able to hear all the cars driving by you while you talk.

Comfort

The Jabra Elite 65t's snug, noise isolating fit is comfortable and secure, but can feel constricting when worn for multiple hours. This earned the buds a score of 7 out of 10.

The Elite 65t offers three different size earpieces. In our testing we found that this range was able to accommodate pretty much all ear sizes. There are no ear fins, but the rubber earpieces themselves fit so snugly that they feel incredibly stable, even without ear fins. While the fit is nice, the noise blocking, earplug like nature of the rubber earpieces can start to feel less than comfortable after an hour or more. Bottom line, the fit is great for workouts and runs, but we probably wouldn't want to watch an entire movie wearing these buds.

Athletic Performance

The Elite 65t are our favorite earbuds for working out. They picked up the top score of 9 out of 10.

Theses earbuds stick in your ears like white on rice, and they're so light that even high impact trail runs don't cause them to bounce around. They are also rated IPX5 water resistant, meaning you don't have to worry about sweat gunking up the inner workings. You can even upgrade to the Jabra Elite Active 65t. This ups the water resistance rating a bit and adds a step counting accelerometer. We don't think the extra waterproofing is really needed unless you plan on shooting your earbuds with a squirt gun, and step counting is available on almost every smartphone. Therefore, we don't think it's necessary to upgrade unless you want a future-proof pair earbuds, in case Jabra adds software support for more advanced accelerometer features in the future.

Portability

These earbuds are tiny and come with a convenient carrying case. This pushed them towards the top of the portability leaderboard with a score of 9 out of 10.

These earbuds weight just 0.4 ounces, and the included carrying case is quite light as well. Though the case is slightly larger than the case of the Apple AirPods, it is still small enough that you won't notice it in your pocket.

Battery Life

This is really the only area where the Jabra Elite 65t didn't excel. The buds themselves lasted 5.25 hours in our battery test. However, the storage case has a battery and can charge the buds a couple of times, extending the life out to about 16 hours with some pauses to recharge.

Value

The Jabra Elite 65t certainly is not cheap. However, if you're looking for the best possible sound quality, or truly wireless earbuds that won't cause any problems during your workout, they are worth the premium price.

Conclusion