The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are budget in-ears with an ANC feature. These comfortable and stable headphones have a neutral sound profile that's well-suited for a variety of audio content. Their battery life lasts over five hours and if you need a top-up, their carrying case has over three additional charges to keep you going. Unfortunately, their ANC feature is disappointing as it struggles to cut down noise in the bass and mid-ranges. That said, if you're looking for a pair of headphones to take with you to the gym, they can be a great choice.
Our Verdict
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are satisfactory for mixed use. These comfortable, stable in-ears have a fairly neutral sound profile. If you like to work out with headphones, they have an IPX8 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this. However, they have a disappointing ANC feature which struggles to reduce bass and mid-range noise, which isn't ideal if you're looking to cut down bus engines or office chatter. Their continuous battery life also may not be enough to last you through your entire 9-5. On the upside, their carrying case has over three additional charges to keep you going.
- Well-built design.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- IPX8 rating.
- Disappointing ANC.
- No sound customization.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are decent for neutral sound. These comfortable headphones have a fairly balanced sound profile, although their treble is a little dark, which slightly dulls instruments and sibilants like cymbals. They also don't have a companion app, so you won't be able to easily EQ them. On the upside, they have consistent bass and treble delivery.
- Well-built design.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Disappointing ANC.
- No sound customization.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are decent for commute and travel. They're comfortable enough to wear for long commutes and can be tossed into most pockets or bags thanks to their compact design. Unfortunately, their biggest weakness is they barely cut down any bass-level noise like bus and plane engines, even with their ANC on. Their single charge battery life could last through a commute, but if you have an overnight flight, you may need to pop them back into their case for a battery top-up.
- Well-built design.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are great for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable, stable fit. Since they're truly wireless, you don't have to worry about a cable snagging on something and pulling your headphones out of your ears. They also have an IPX8 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.
- Well-built design.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- IPX8 rating.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are okay for office use. They're comfortable enough to wear for long periods. While they leak a bit of sound at a high volume, it sounds thin to those around you. However, their ANC is disappointing and it barely reduces ambient chatter. Their battery life may not be enough to get you through a 9-5. Luckily, their carrying case holds a few extra charges.
- Well-built design.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are Bluetooth-only headphones. While they can be used via Bluetooth on PCs, their latency is likely too high to be recommended for gaming.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are Bluetooth-only headphones and can't be used wired.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are fair for phone calls. Their integrated microphone can capture voices well, although speech sounds a little muffled and lacking in detail. However, it struggles a bit to separate voice from moderately noisy environments. The ANC feature of these headphones is disappointing too, so you may have some problem hearing the person on the other line if you're in a loud environment.
- Comfortable, stable fit.
- Decent recording quality.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Sub-par noise isolation.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 17, 2023: We've received a user report of Bluetooth instability. As a result, we've updated Bluetooth, but the scoring of this box hasn't changed.
- Updated Feb 21, 2022: We've retested 'Weight' in Comfort.
- Updated Sep 10, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 01, 2020: Early access published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are budget truly wireless in-ears. They have a distinct stem style that's similar to other budget headphones such as the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless. Even though they don't have a companion app, their neutral sound profile is suitable for most audio genres. On the downside, their ANC is disappointing at best and does little to cut down bass-level noise like bus engines. If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones.
The Mpow M30 Truly Wireless and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are in-ears with different strengths. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the X3 have a more neutral sound profile. Their continuous battery life is longer, they have a standby mode to help lengthen the time between recharges, and their integrated microphone has a better recording quality too. However, they aren't any better at blocking out ambient noise, even though they have an ANC feature. Some users may also prefer the M30's stemless design as well as their slightly more bass-heavy sound profile.
The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 79 Truly Wireless and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are both similarly performing in-ears. The TaoTronics have a more thumpy sound that some users may prefer, they can isolate more noise, and they leak less sound. However, the Mpow are more comfortable, have better controls, and their carrying case is better designed. Their integrated mic also does a better job of noise handling and while their total battery life is a bit shorter than the TaoTronics, there's a standby mode to help you conserve your battery life.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have different strengths. The Mpow are more comfortable, they have better controls, and they feel more stable in-ear. However, the Anker have a bass-heavy sound that some users may prefer. Even without an ANC feature, they're able to reduce more ambient noise than the Mpow's ANC, and they even have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets. If you're looking for something to wear while commuting, go with the Anker but if you're looking for a more neutral listening experience, go with the Mpow.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ear headphones for most uses than the Skullcandy Indy Truly Wireless. The Mpow feel better built with easier-to-use controls and a more stable fit. Their sound profile is more neutral while their integrated mic has a better recording quality. They also have better overall battery performance. However, the Skullcandy can isolate more noise, even when compared to the Mpow with their ANC feature.
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