The new Jabra Elite 3 earbuds promised a whole lot for a very low price, but what would I be sacrificing coming from a pair that’s roughly three times as expensive?

Design

While previous Elite wireless earbuds featured an more oval shape, the Elite 3 has a more abstract appearance with a triangular design that’s probably both eye-catching and conflicting as I’m not sure it will appeal to everyone.

The charging case compact and portable-friendly. You can store it in your jeans pocket or carry-on bag without feeling weighed down. Build quality isn’t as fancy as older models though, settling for a thinner plastic frame versus the premium plastic chassis found on the Elite Active 75t. The lid is also a bit flimsy, though the magnet is strong enough to keep the case shut when on the move.

Features

The Elite 3 has no ANC but has what Jabra refers to as “noise-isolating” design, and that’s pretty accurate. The angled sound port seamlessly inserts into the canal and the patented EarGels tips produce a tight seal for optimal fit (you get three different sizes to swap out)

The Elite 3 have an IP55 durability rating, which means they’re built to withstand some basic dust and light sprinkles of water but aren’t necessarily made to survive being submerged. You shouldn’t have to worry about these getting damaged from light sweat or rain, but beware if sweat alot.

Sound

These things sound seriously impressive for a pair of 900 SEK ($ 80) buds. The tiny 6mm speakers pump out dynamic, clear sound with punchy bass that doesn’t become too overwhelming, even when vibing out to boom-heavy soundtracks. And despite the lack of active noise cancellation, the Elite 3 does a formidable job of isolating external noises from entering the soundscape. 

Verdict

You might think Jabra had to give up a lot in the audio performance with such an affordable price. Thankfully, it did not, as these earbuds maintain a very good level of bass with clear, high-quality audio playback. Calls also sounded good on both ends.

If you are looking for the best true wireless headphones under 1000 SEK, this is what you want.

PROS

  • Cheap
  • Great sound
  • Comfortable

CONS

  • Slightly plastic
  • Flimsy charging case

The Jabra Elite 3 was sent to me for free for review, but I did not get paid to write this. The thoughts on this product are my own. You can grab the product from one of these swedish sites (or Jabra.com).