The JBL Free X True Wireless are simple, wallet-friendly in-ears. They're virtually identical to the JBL Free Truly Wireless 2018 in nearly every respect and have a no-frills design, so they lack sound customization features, a companion app, and noise cancelling.
Our Verdict
The JBL Free X are decent for most use cases. They have a slightly bassy sound, a stable yet comfortable fit for sports, isolate noise fairly well for commuting, won't leak too much sound at the office, and are overall comfortable and portable. Unfortunately, however, they lack volume controls. They also have very high latency, which makes them less than ideal for streaming video, and have an inadequate microphone for taking calls on the go.
- Decent sound.
- Great isolation.
- Compact and portable design.
- Very high latency.
- No volume controls.
The JBL Free X are satisfactory for neutral sound. They have a bassy sound that delivers satisfying thump and rumble without overwhelming vocals and instruments, which are clear and detailed in mixes. However, sibilants are a little dull. In addition, since they're closed-back in-ears, their passive soundstage won't seem very immersive.
The JBL Free X are good for commute and travel. They have good noise isolation and can block out passenger chatter well. They have trouble blocking the low rumble of bus and plane engines. They also lack volume controls, so you'll have to pull out your phone whenever you want to adjust the volume.
The JBL Free X are great for sports. They have a stable yet comfortable in-ear fit. They're lightweight and portable with an easy-to-use control scheme. Unfortunately, they have no volume controls, and their unique design is not as stable as other truly wireless headphones. They also don't have an IP rating for water resistance.
The JBL Free X are satisfactory for office use. They can passively block out chatty coworkers and don't leak a lot of audio, so you can crank your audio up without worrying about others hearing it. Although their battery does not last very long continuously, if you take short breaks to charge them in their case, they can last you all day. They don't support multi-device pairing, so you'll have to manually switch between your work computer and smartphone throughout the day.
The JBL Free X are poor for wireless gaming. They're Bluetooth-only headphones and have high latency across PC, Android, and iOS. Your audio and visuals will be out of sync, which makes for a frustrating gaming experience.
The JBL Free X are truly wireless earbuds, and you can't use them wired.
The JBL Free X are mediocre for phone calls. They have an integrated mic, which makes your voice sound muffled and lacking in detail. The mic also struggles to separate your voice from moderate noise, so if you have an important call, it's best to do so from a quiet environment.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 11, 2023: We've updated this review's text to keep it up to date and accurate.
- Updated Aug 09, 2023: We've renamed these headphones.
- Updated Feb 05, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The JBL Free X come in three color variants: 'Black', 'Blue', and 'White'. If you come across another variant, please let us know in the forums, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The JBL Free X True Wireless are decent in-ear headphones that are virtually identical to the JBL Free Truly Wireless 2018. They're pretty no-frills and don't have features like noise cancelling or companion app support.
If you like their truly wireless design but want something with a more stable fit or better battery life, check out our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds and in-ears, as well as the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds for running and working out.
The JBL Free X True Wireless are better truly wireless in-ears than the Apple AirPods (1st generation) in general. The JBL sound better, isolate more noise, have an easier-to-use physical control scheme, and have a more stable fit for sports. However, the Apple are much more comfortable than the JBL, have a significantly better battery life, and are easier to use with Apple devices. The JBL are a better choice for most use cases, but the AirPods could be worth looking into if you're a fan of the Apple ecosystem.
The JBL Free X True Wireless are slightly better wireless in-ears than the Beats BeatsX Wireless. The JBL are more comfortable, well-built, and sound a bit better. However, the Beats have a much better battery since they're not truly wireless, charge quickly, pair quickly with Apple devices, and isolate more noise. If you prefer the fit and durable design of the JBL, they're a better choice, but the Beats are worth considering if you need the extra battery life and prefer a more stable fit.
The JBL Free X True Wireless and the Samsung Gear IconX Truly Wireless are both decent truly wireless in-ears. They're both well-designed and have similar isolation and microphone performance. The JBL sound slightly better out of the box, but the Samsung can be customized via EQ presets in the Samsung Gear app. The Samsung also have a better battery, a more stable fit, and volume control. They're both decent choices for most use cases, but the Samsung may be more advantageous for those who prefer more feature-packed headphones.
The JBL Free X True Wireless are overall better truly wireless in-ears than the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless. The JBL have a less bulky design and a more portable charging case. They also isolate significantly more noise than the open-backed Bose, which makes the JBL a better choice for commuters or office workers. However, the Bose are better for critical listeners since they sound better, are slightly more comfortable, and have a longer battery life.
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