Jaybird X3
The Jaybird X3 sound great, last eight hours on a single charge, and come with various ear and wing tips. The X3 are now more affordable than ever, but they'll soon be replaced by the incoming X4.
Jaybird Freedom 2
The Jaybird Freedom 2 lacks some of the oomf of the X3 and doesn't last as long on a single charge, but it's the smallest pair of earbuds in Jaybird's lineup while still retaining great comfort, sound, and customization.
The X3 are the best wireless earbuds Jaybird has to offer, but if you want a similar experience in a smaller footprint, the Freedom 2 is definitely worth a look.
What in the world is different about these earbuds?
That's a really good question. At first glance, and even after a bit of research, it can be hard to tell the difference between the Jaybird X3 and Freedom 2. These headphones share a lot in common, and that's honestly not a bad thing at all.
In regards to the design, the Freedom 2 is a bit more compact than the X3. The difference isn't huge, but if you want your next pair of wireless earbuds to be as small as possible, the Freedom 2 does have an edge in this department. Aside from the size difference, though, both products have two earbuds on either end of the cable with inline controls for pausing/resuming playback, adjusting volume, etc.
When you're actually listening to music, the Jaybird X3 and Freedom 2 sound fantastic. The amount of sound that comes out of both earbuds is a lot better than what you'd expect for their size, but because the X3 is marginally larger, we tend to prefer the audio coming from it just a tad more.
Lastly, when it comes to battery life, both earbuds technically offer eight hours of playback. However, the way they go about this is different.
With the Jaybird X3, you'll be able to listen to your music for eight hours non-stop before needing to throw it on the charger. The Freedom 2 is only rated for four hours of listening on its own, but you can extend that by another four hours for a total of eight by snapping on its charging clip to the inline controls.
The charging clip isn't huge, but it does add more weight to the Freedom 2 and makes it a little awkward to work out with. As such, we prefer the X3's design of just packing in the full eight hours of use into the earbuds themselves rather than needing to mess with another accessory.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Jaybird X3 | Jaybird Freedom 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 28.02 x 27.69 x 13.42mm | 23.4 x 22.4 x 6.2mm |
| Sweat-proof | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Battery life | 8 hours | 4 hours built-in + 4 hours with charging adapter |
| Customizable ear/wing tips | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Supports Jaybird MySound app | ✔️ | ✔️ |
The X3 are Jaybird's best wireless earbuds...at least for now
If you want the very best that Jaybird has to offer, the X3s are for you. The earbuds sound way better than they should, the battery life is great, and the sweat-proof / water-resistant design is perfect no matter how hard you're working out.
The X3 is a great purchase at $95 - $119 depending on which color you choose, but with the Jaybird X4 coming out in September for just a little more at $130, you may want to hold off on the X3 for right now if you want the very latest and greatest.
The best Jaybird earbuds you can buy.
With awesome sound and 8 hours of non-stop listening on a single charge, the Jaybird X3 are some of the best workout earbuds you can buy. The starting price of under $100 makes these a great value, but if you don't mind waiting a little longer, the X4 will be here later this month.
Another great choice if portability is your main concern
The Jaybird Freedom 2 may have a more complicated charging system compared to the X3, but if size is your main concern, they pack a serious punch in a very tiny form factor.
We prefer the X3's sound quality by just a hair and its ability to offer 8 hours of playback without a sperate charging clip, but if you don't mind that extra piece of plastic, the Freedom 2 is absolutely worth a look.
Packs a big punch in a tiny form factor.
The charging clip isn't the most elegant thing in the world, but if you need workout headphones that are as small as can be, the Freedom 2 earbuds deliver great sound, comfort, and more in a small footprint.
