The Jabra Elite 3 is the company’s least expensive true wireless product to date. aptX is rare under $100, and the earbuds nail the basics like audio output and isolation, but is that enough to make them stand out?
The earbuds are IP55 rated, guaranteeing protection against water jets (but not submersion) along with dust and small objects. This makes the Elite 3 a great choice for those who tend to participate in outdoor activities, not having to worry about getting caught in the rain or dirt and grime of hiking trails. Made of lightweight plastic, the earbuds are held in place with magnets, but the hinges feel rather flimsy.
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo hide=price]Jabra offers seven hours on the earbuds themselves and three more full charges in the tidy little case, for a total of 28 hours of music listening. In addition, the earbuds can be turned on for 10 minutes for an additional hour of playback.
Control is via push buttons on the surface of each earpiece (which support “play/pause,” “fast forward/reverse,” “volume up/down,” and “voice assistant call”; Amazon Alexa is also available). There is also the Jabra Sound+ control app, which looks nice, is stable, and frankly not that easy to use.
When playing Stevie Wonder’s Superstition on Tidal Masters, the Elite 3 sounds simple and engaging. It’s able to organize the eclectic mix of drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, horns, and vocals into something expansive, focused, and easy to follow. Timing is good, and the overall level of insight and detail is high.