Why is it so difficult to find the perfect headphones? I’ve been through countless pairs, from the cheapest set I picked up at a Walgreens to the elite Shockz Open Run (formerly Aftershockz) that my husband swears by. But I never found any I loved until now.
I think my challenge with headphones is that I want ONE PAIR that I can use for EVERYTHING. I’ve used headphones that are okay for running, but aren’t great for taking calls. I’ve used noise-reducing headphones for travel, but they are useless when running. I’ve had great ear buds that I liked but the battery life didn’t make it through a long day of travel.
My detailed specifications might be posing the challenge here.
Enter Chat GPT.
I had an idea one day to put all of my headphone specifications into this AI tool and see what it would recommend for me. I wasn’t disappointed.
Specifications
These are the specifications I put into Chat GPT:
- True wireless earbuds (not the kind with the cord around the back of the neck)
- Stays put when running vigorously
- Great sound quality
- Clear microphone with noise-reduction for calls
- Hear-through/transparency technology (so I can hear traffic when running)
- Water/sweat resistant
- Long battery life
- Comfort for long wear
Chat GPT Recommendations
Here is a short list of what Chat GPT recommended:
- Jabra Elite Active 75t: These earbuds are specifically designed for an active lifestyle. They offer a secure fit with multiple ear tip options and provide excellent sound quality. The built-in microphone ensures clear calls with noise reduction. They also feature a “HearThrough” mode that allows you to hear your surroundings while running. The earbuds are water and sweat resistant with an IP57 rating. The battery life is around 7.5 hours on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 20.5 hours.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds: Known for their exceptional sound quality and active noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds are a great choice for immersive audio experience. They offer a secure fit and are suitable for vigorous activities. The microphone system is designed to deliver clear calls, and the earbuds feature a transparency mode that lets you hear the ambient sounds while running. These earbuds have an IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance. The battery life is approximately 6 hours, with the charging case providing an extra 12 hours.
- Sony WF-1000XM4: These earbuds provide outstanding sound quality and effective noise cancellation. They have a secure fit and are suitable for running and sports activities. The built-in microphone ensures clear call quality, and they offer a transparency mode for hearing ambient sounds. The earbuds are rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance. The battery life is around 8 hours on a single charge, with the charging case providing an additional 16 hours.
The Jabra Elite Active 75t: My New Favorite Headphones
After looking at the options Chat GPT provided me, I decided to try the Jabra Elite Active 75t. These were in my price range and seemed to offer everything I was looking for. First I ordered a refurbished pair from an independent seller on Amazon. That pair was dead on arrival. It never charged and I had to return it. I was worried that I’d found yet another pair of headphones that weren’t going to cut it for me. I went back to the drawing board and started researching again, but kept landing on the Jabra Elite Active 75t. I took a chance and ordered a second pair through Amazon, but this time I ordered them through Amazon’s refurbishment store.
My new pair arrived and charged up and . . . . the left earbud didn’t work! But I followed the helpful trouble-shooting guide that came with the purchase and was able to easily fix it. It is a common problem with the Jabra that they sometimes need to be “reset” by sticking the end of a paperclip into a tiny hole in the earbud. (Now I just keep a paperclip in the box with the earbuds, but I rarely have to use it.) After the reset, the earbuds worked great!
Review of Jabra Elite Active 75t Features
- True wireless earbuds: They are completely wireless. No cord getting caught in my hair.
- Stays put when running vigorously: They have stayed put during runs in the worst of wind conditions, which is saying a lot living in Kansas. They also don’t budge during speedwork. The only time I’ve felt like they might fall out is when I douse my head with water to cool down and there is a little water in my ear. Then it does slip a little, so this might not be the best choice for bi/tri-athletes who are going straight from a swim to a run.
- Great sound quality: A huge step up from the cheap brands I’ve been using!
- Clear microphone with noise-reduction for calls: I regularly take calls with these headphones, including while running in strong wind with no problems. This is one of my favorite features!
- Hear-through/transparency technology: By tapping the left earbud, I can change the mode to hear-through. It’s like having a microphone piping the noises around me straight to my ears, but it isn’t intrusive on a run and I can hardly hear the difference between the modes, but I CAN hear the traffic around me. It’s not great for hearing conversation around me though. I usually have to take out the earbuds to chat with people before a group run. In an airplane, you can really hear the difference between the two modes and I could not hear my music well with the hear-through mode on, but had great noise cancelling with it off.
- Water/sweat resistant: I don’t sweat like a normal person which is a problem in the heat so I have to douse myself with water regularly. Sometimes when water gets in my ears, the earbuds slip and echo a little, but they have not been damaged.
- Long battery life: This is really superior. I only have to charge the case about once a week. As long as I put my earbuds back into the case, they stay charged and I don’t have to worry about plugging them in after every use. This is also fantastic for travel.
- Comfort for long wear: Since I use these for work, running, and traveling, they have to be comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I’ve traveled for days and slept on planes in these earbuds with no problems.
So after my years of searching, I think I have finally found a keeper – the Jabra Elite 75t is the one for me! Thanks, Chat GPT!
