Finding an affordable pair that meets your needs in the ever-evolving world of true wireless earbuds can be challenging. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast searching for a rugged companion or an everyday listener seeking quality audio without breaking the bank, the Jabra Elite 3 might be the answer you’re looking for. This review will explore these budget-friendly earbuds’ key features, user experience, and performance.
What Sets the Jabra Elite 3 Apart
Affordability Meets Quality
The Jabra Elite 3 is the most budget-friendly offering in Jabra’s true wireless earbud lineup. Despite its wallet-friendly price tag, these earbuds do not compromise on quality. Priced under $100, they manage to incorporate aptX support, a feature rarely found in this price range.
Key Highlights
Here are some notable aspects of the Jabra Elite 3 that make them stand out:
- Price: These earbuds provide exceptional value for their cost.
- Sound Quality: Offering impressive audio output.
- Battery Life: Providing extended listening hours.
- aptX and SBC Support: Ensuring high-quality audio streaming.
- IP55 Rating: Making them resistant to water and dust.
What’s Missing
However, no product is without its drawbacks. The Jabra Elite 3 does have a couple of downsides:
- No AAC Support: Unfortunately, these earbuds lack support for AAC, which may disappoint iPhone users.
- Mediocre Mic: The microphone performance is average at best.
Design and Comfort
The Jabra Elite 3 boasts a straightforward and user-friendly design. These earbuds, made primarily of lightweight plastic, fit securely in your ears. Although they lack additional hooks or fins for stability, achieving a proper seal is essential for an optimal listening experience. Thankfully, the package includes various silicone tips to help you find the right fit.
With an IP55 rating, the Elite 3 offers protection against water jets and dust, making it an excellent choice for outdoor activities. However, it’s worth noting that the earbud case, while durable, feels somewhat flimsy due to its lightweight plastic construction.
In terms of comfort, these earbuds are both lightweight and comfortable, ensuring you can wear them for extended periods without discomfort.
User-Friendly Controls
Using them is a breeze once you’ve comfortably placed the earbuds in your ears. The Jabra Elite 3 features a multifunction touch panel on each earbud, allowing for intuitive control. You can perform actions like single, double, and triple-tapping for playback control, volume adjustment by pressing and holding, and even summoning your phone’s virtual assistant with a double-tap on the left earbud.
Furthermore, the left earbud enables the HearThrough mode with a single tap, utilizing its microphones to let in ambient sounds, enhancing your awareness of your surroundings.
The Jabra Sound+ App
To enhance your experience with the Jabra Elite 3, consider downloading the free Jabra Sound+ app, available for both iOS and Android. The app offers additional features, including:
- Toggling the HearThrough mode.
- Customizing EQ presets.
- Updating the earbuds’ firmware.
- Spotify integration.
- Configuring your preferred voice assistant.
Additionally, the app adds quick settings controls to your home screen’s notifications section, allowing you to toggle the HearThrough mode and check the battery status easily.
Audio Quality and Codecs
The Jabra Elite 3 impresses with its audio quality. The earbuds closely follow our target audio curve, slightly emphasizing bass. While this might not suit audiophiles seeking a flat response, most listeners will appreciate the well-balanced sound, suitable for various music genres.
The default Neutral EQ preset offers a good starting point for audio customization, but the app also provides preset options like Bass boost, Treble boost, Speech, Energize, and Smooth. Unfortunately, there’s no option to create a custom EQ profile in the Jabra app for the Elite 3.
Listening to music on the Elite 3 is a delightful experience. Instruments and vocals are rendered with clarity and detail, although the added bass emphasis might make low-frequency sounds slightly more prominent.
Microphone Performance
The microphone on the Jabra Elite 3 delivers average performance. It provides clear audio but struggles to block out environmental noise effectively. While suitable for quick phone calls, it may not meet the demands of more critical voice recordings or online meetings.
Battery Life
Jabra claims that the Elite 3 can last up to 7 hours on a single charge, and real-world testing supports this claim. Both earbuds offer nearly 7 hours of playback time at a consistent output level. Additionally, the charging case provides enough power for three full charging cycles, extending the total battery life to around 28 hours. While the case lacks wireless charging, it does support fast charging. Just 10 minutes in this case, can provide an hour of playback time, ensuring you’re not left without music for long.
Noise Isolation and HearThrough Mode
The Jabra Elite 3 offers noise isolation typical of true wireless earbuds without active noise cancellation (ANC). The right-sized ear tips provide a decent seal that effectively reduces ambient noise. While they may not block out loud environmental sounds like heavy traffic or cafe chatter entirely, this isn’t necessarily a disadvantage, as the HearThrough mode is designed to let in external sounds when needed.
Should You Consider the Jabra Elite 3?
If you’re searching for reliable true wireless earbuds on a budget, the Jabra Elite 3 deserves serious consideration. Despite being affordable, these earbuds excel in sound quality, user-friendliness, and battery performance. While concerns about the long-term durability of the case exist, this is a minor drawback compared to the overall value they offer. With a price point under $79.99 USD, the Jabra Elite 3 is a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers.
Conclusion
However, if you’re an iPhone user seeking AAC support, you may want to explore alternatives tailored to Apple devices. Options like the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 and Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen) offer AAC compatibility and customizable EQ profiles, catering to Apple enthusiasts.
In summary, the Jabra Elite 3 delivers impressive value for its price, making it an excellent choice for those looking for affordable true wireless earbuds that don’t compromise on essential features.
