The Jabra Elite Active 65t wireless earbuds are a solid example of combining simplicity, features, sound quality, and battery life in a beautifully simple package. They are a bit more professional looking than other earbuds out there and always seem to maintain a strong connection to whatever device you connect it to. Sound quality is fantastic overall, but we do have a couple major drawbacks so read on to find out more. Show
Quick Details, Specs, and Availability
Run TestRunning in the Jabra 65t was actually a pretty solid experience, but with a few drawbacks. On the positive side, the Hearthrough feature is actually pretty amazing. It allows you to hear more happening around you so you aren’t totally cut off from the outside world. This is something we preach consistently because many times ear buds shut you off from cars, sirens, people, etc which just isn’t safe. The sound quality overall is ample for running.
On the negative side, we have a couple caveats. First, the three sizes they included for ear gels are just not going to work for everyone as it doesn’t always lock in and make a solid latch. Because there is no other way of keeping it in the ear, like Jaybird’s design for instance, then they can definitely slip out. We had a number of folks try different sizes and for some it was perfect and for others, they were always right between the sizes. The next issue is that they are slippery as anything, you just can’t keep a grip on them, and I can’t count how many times I have actually dropped them trying to put them in. Sound QualityThe overall sound quality on the Elite Active 65t is decent enough for a runner, but probably not there for an audiophile. The bass is a little low and the EQ presets don’t seem to change things all that much. They are so small, so it makes sense that they can’t compete with more robust headphones.
The microphone on the 65t works way better than we expected. Even in a run, we could have conversations or record video without any issues. Many times we see a little bit of delay on microphones when using Bluetooth devices, but nothing here. You can easily even use these for calls, etc without a problem. Battery LifeThe battery life on these is pretty on pad with what they advertise. We let them sit at full volume and sure enough, they died out just over the 5 hour mark. Even for long runs, this should not be an issue for you. If it is, then you can drop it in the charging case and in about 15 minutes, you can expect another 1.5 hours of playback. Overall ConclusionOverall, the Jabra Elite Active 65t are really solid performing wireless headphones. They sound decent, look high end, and the battery life is ample for most runners. Our biggest drawback is the external material choice as it makes them very slippery, both the ear pods and the case. The ear gels also could probably use a few more sizes as well, but none of this would prevent us from recommending them to anyone. They should definitely be on your review list when it comes to high end performance Bluetooth headphones. I loved the Jabra Elite Active 65t when it first came out, and I don't say that lightly. Jabra took one of the best pairs of true wireless eheadphones, the Elite 65t, and made a sweat-resistant and longer-lasting version without significantly raising the price. More recently, it's been replaced in turn by the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but with an even lower price and no less of its quality, the older buds remain among the best workout headphones money can buy. Also, see which models rank among the best wireless earbuds under $100 Jabra Elite Active 65t review: Price and availabilityThe Jabra Elite Active 65t originally launched in 2018 at $170. That's since dropped to $100, and while a newer model is on sale, the Elite Active 65t is still widely available. As such, it remains a good choice if you want sport earbuds with high sound quality but a relatively low price. Jabra Elite Active 65t review: DesignJabra's Elite Active earbuds are small, sleek and unobtrusive. Unlike Apple's AirPods, which are noticeable from a mile away due to the white stem that hangs down from the ear, no one will notice your Jabras. The buds are circular, with a small arm and a protruding tip that help them fit more snugly in your ears. Apple's AirPods Pro have a slightly shorter stem than the original model, but they're still noticeable. The Elite Active comes in black and blue with an inlay that's titanium for the former or copper for the latter, emblazoned with the Jabra logo. The left earbud also has notches to indicate where to press to skip and repeat tracks.  The buds tuck into an oval charging case, which stores the Elite Actives in between workouts (and keeps them from getting lost). The case was actually the source of my biggest issue with these otherwise amazing earbuds: It's damned near impossible to open. At first, I thought I was a weakling. The case just wouldn't budge open unless I pried it apart with my fingernails. Then I had three of my co-workers try it — same issue. Finally, one of us (it wasn't me) figured out that you had to squeeze and open the case at the same time to lift the lid. I feel like it shouldn't be that difficult, so I docked a half star for the annoyance. Jabra Elite Active 65t review: Fit and comfortThe Jabra Elite Active 65t is one of the most comfortable sets of completely cordless Bluetooth earbuds I've ever worn. Other sets can be uncomfortable, because the bud has to be engineered to fit securely without a cord for balance. But everything about the Elite Active 65t's shape just works: the pod, the small arm — which helps you insert and then anchor the bud by rotating it forward — and the in-ear tip, which comes with three sets of silicone gels in various sizes to tailor the fit. These buds don't move. When I was jostled on my 45-minute subway commute, they stayed put. During 3-mile runs on blustery December days in Brooklyn, they stayed put. When I tucked my hair behind my ears and brushed the left bud, I thought it would tumble to the ground. But it stayed put. Jabra Elite Active 65t review: FitnessUnlike the Elite 65t buds, the Active model has a built-in accelerometer, which makes it a capable fitness tracker. It doesn't log runs automatically; you have to open the Jabra Sound+ app, tap Active and start a run to track your miles. If you use Active mode, Jabra's HearThrough feature automatically turns on to allow in ambient noise. Presumably, HearThrough is a safety feature that you would want to have while running along busy streets, but I don't like it much. I could hear my footsteps pounding on pavement and a band playing as I ran through Brooklyn's Prospect Park, which was distracting when I wanted to listen to music and focus on my run. I wish Jabra would make HearThrough optional, like it is when Active mode isn't enabled. I didn't find myself using Active mode much, and not just because of HearThrough. Other fitness trackers can give you far more information than just time elapsed and steps per minute. But more importantly, the Actives are sweat-resistant, which makes them a perfect workout companion. Jabra Elite Active 65t review: Sound qualityJabra offers EQ presets in its app so you can customize the Elite Active 65t's sound to your liking. I like my sound a little heavier on the bass for running, so I chose Bass Boost, but you can also bump up the treble. Jabra lets you customize the presets to perfectly fine-tune the sound to your preferences. The Elite Active 65t offers practically perfect sound, especially for workouts, because the in-ear tips block out most noise. The bass-forward preset I picked was perfect, whether I was bopping around to Ariana Grande's "thank u, next" or pounding the pavement to the thumping bass and piano chords in Cardi B's "Money." Phone calls and podcasts also came in loud and crystal clear. I also like that I can take out the left earbud to hear a train announcement or chat with a friend and keep listening to music in the right bud. (The reverse — listening to music in the right earbud with the left taken out — isn't possible.) Jabra Elite Active 65t review: BatteryLike my all-time favorite fitness earbuds, Jaybird's Tarah Pro, the Jabra Elite Active 65t buds last 15 hours on a charge. This is possible because of the charging case — the buds can last 5 hours on their own and then an additional 10 hours if they are charged up in between workouts. In my experience, this added up to close to two weeks of wear without having to charge the case (which also charges the earbuds in the process). In those two weeks, I went on a handful of 30- to 35-minute runs and listened to podcasts on my 45-minute commute to and from work almost every day. I never had to worry about dead earbuds. Then, one day, I left the buds outside of their case. For two days. (I blame my husband, really, because he put them in our junk drawer. But I digress.) The case itself wasn't totally dead, but there wasn't much life left, and I wanted to go for a run. So I stuck the earbuds back in the case, plugged in the case for 15 minutes and crossed my fingers. When I put the buds back in my ears, they were fully charged. Relief! Jabra Elite Active 65t review: VerdictYou can now find Jabra's Elite Active 65t for under $100, which makes it a great value compared to Apple's $249 AirPods Pro and $200 Powerbeats Pro. The Elite Active 65t also has a sleeker, less obvious design than both those splurge-worthy sport earbuds. You can find less expensive totally wireless Bluetooth earphones, but the alternatives either aren't sweat-resistant for workouts (see Apple's $159 AirPods) or don't fit as well. And, while the newer Jabra Elite Active 75t is the technically superior pair of headphones, the Elite Active 65t still has enough going for it to make it a worthy purchase at a lower price. Upgrade your life with the Tom’s Guide newsletter. Subscribe now for a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and hottest deals. Elevate your everyday with our curated analysis and be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets. Caitlin is a Senior editor for Gizmodo. She has also worked on Tom's Guide, Macworld, PCWorld and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. When she's not testing out the latest devices, you can find her running around the streets of Los Angeles, putting in morning miles or searching for the best tacos. Are Jabra Elite good for running?The completely wireless Jabra Elite Active 65t earbuds are our top pick, thanks to good performance, sweat resistance, and a secure, comfortable fit. Is Jabra Elite 65t sweat proof?Unfortunately, the Jabra Elite 65t are not waterproof but on the brightside they are sweatproof. The Jabra Elite 65t also have an IP55 rating, so you don't have to worry about rain or spills destroying your investment… just don't try swimming with them. Is Jabra Elite 65t worth it?The Jabra Elite Active 65t are great for sports and fitness. They're compact, sturdily-built, and let your ears breathe freely. They do a good job of staying in your ears too, though they aren't quite as stable as some in-ears with an ear hook design. How long is the Jabra Elite 65t run time?With up to 5 hours of battery on a single charge, and up to 15 hours in total with the included pocket-friendly charging case, your listening needs are met from the start of the day, to its end. |
