Our Verdict
The Jaybird X2 are good sports headphones that do decently well for mixed usage. They passively block ambient noise better than some active noise canceling headphones we've tested. They're compact enough to fit into your pockets and they're easy to carry around on your person so you can have them on you at all times. Unfortunately, unlike the X3, you cannot EQ their sound quality. On the upside, they sound good enough for most listeners.
- Excellent leakage perfomance.
- Stable in-ear fit.
- Good noise isolation.
- The in-ear fit is uncomfortable for some.
Above-average for neutral listening. They do not have the benefit of a customizable sound like that of the Jaybird X3 but they pack a powerful bass and a decently well-balanced midrange. They're slightly bright on some track but their default treble response is a bit better than that of the X3 out of the box(with no EQ). Unfortunately, since they have a small closed in-ear design they will not sound as spacious as more neutral listening focused open back headphones which will not be ideal for some listeners.
Good for commuting. They isolate well against ambient noise, they're portable and have an easy-to-use control scheme. They should be suitable for most commuters and they have a slightly longer lasting continuous battery life than the X3 and the Jaybird Freedom. Unfortunately, their pretty standard in-ear fit will not be the most comfortable for all users, especially on long trips.
The Jaybird X2 are good headphones for sports. They have a stable in-ear fit. They're also wireless and sufficiently compact to carry around on your person everywhere you go. Also, their passive isolation is more than enough for the ambient noise of a gym but might be a bit too closed for runners and bikers that have to monitor their environment for cars and traffic.
Above-average for office use. They block a lot of ambient noise and barely leak, so you will rarely distract your colleagues even if you like to listen to your music at higher than average volumes.
Below-average for gaming. They have a mediocre microphone, and a bit too much latency to be suitable for gaming. They also have no customization options and their Bluetooth only design will not work with consoles.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Feb 16, 2018: Converted to Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 02, 2017: The microphone has been tested with our new methodology, as explained here
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Jaybird X2 are above-average in-ear headphones. They have a stable wireless design that's ideal for sports and won't easily fall out of your ears. They comfortably fit into your pockets and come with a sturdy case that protects them from damage. They barely leak any sound, even at high volumes and block noise surprisingly well for passively isolating headphones. They won't let the ambient noise of a gym or busy commute, ruin your listening session. Sadly, they struggle a little with their audio reproduction. See our recommendations for the best earbuds with a mic, the best Bluetooth earbuds, and the best wireless headphones under $100.
The Jaybird X2 are a better headphone overall than the Bose SoundSport Wireless if you prefer in-ear designs over earbuds. The X2 have stronger passive isolation in loud environments thanks to their in-ear fit. The X2 leak less than the SoundSport Wireless, so you can play your music at really high volumes to mask more noise and not distract the people around you. The SoundSport Wireless, on the other hand, have a comfortable earbud fit, which most will prefer over in-ears like the X2. They also have a better-balanced sound, come with an app, and support NFC which the X2 does not.
The Jaybird X2 slightly edges out the Jaybird X3 in performance and convenience. The X2 has a micro USB port on the back of the earbuds, so you do not have to keep the charging clip attached, out of fear of losing it like on the X3. The X2 also has a slightly better latency performance, although both headphones won't be ideal for watching a lot of video content or gaming. On the upside, the X3 supports the Jaybird MySound app, so you can customize their sound quality to better match the audio you are listening to. They also have a better, more durable build quality than the older X2 model, and easier to use controls.
The Jaybird X2 are a slightly better wireless headset overall than the Jaybird Freedom. The X2 have a much simpler charging port on the back of the right earbud, so you do not need to carry around a bulky charging clip like with the Jaybird Freedoms. The X2 also have a longer battery life, lower latency, and a slightly better-balanced default sound but can't be EQ'd. The Freedoms, on the other hand, have a more portable design (when not using the charging clip) and smaller earbuds that are a bit more comfortable than the X2. They also benefit from great app support so you can customize their sound quality to better match what you are listening to.
The Jaybird X2 Wireless are a better sports headphone and headset overall than the Anker Soundcore Spirit X Wireless. The Jaybird have a more isolating in-ear fit, that's better for noisy environments and commuting, and a slightly more portable design since they do not have ear-hooks like the Anker. The Anker, on the other hand, are a bit more stable thanks to those ear hooks and have a longer battery life with a more comfortable in-ear fit than the Jaybird.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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