Jaybird’s laser focus on headphones designed for runners means it has produced some of the best running headphones we’ve seen in the past few years, including the Run XT, the X4 and the Tarah Pro. The Jaybird Vista might be missing a couple of features you find in more recent true wireless headphones but in this video we explain why they might still be your best budget alternative to Apple AirPods Pro, Powerbeats Pro and the other Bluetooth options out there. Hit play for to watch the full Jaybird Vista review.
Jaybird Vista review
Fit
Each Jaybird Vista bud weighs just 6g – that’s minimally more than AirPods Pro and the Jabra Elite 75t but that’s not really noticeable. And the Vista feel minimal in the ears.
Three sizes of gels and wing tips. These are now in one-piece that not only protects the buds more but solves a problem we had with the Run where the wing tips that hooked in you ear moved around
The silicone now feels firmer and they stay put for a much more secure fit.
All four of The Run Testers with our variety of man ears has tried them and rates the stay put very highly.
The charging case
It’s 33g, lighter smaller and really compact than the AirPods Pro, the hulking great PowerBeats Pro case, fits easily into a running belt and also has this chord which is great for securing it in place in a belt of bag.
The magnetic case snaps shut and stays shut, an improvement on the Jaybird RUN case that had habit of spilling open in your bag. The buds are also held in place by magnets so they won’t fall out.
Pairing is simple. They go into pairing mode straight out of the case.
Each time you use them the connection is then automatic.
Durability
Jaybird has come in for some criticism about the durability of its headphones in the past and so they’re very keen to shout about the fact the Vistas now meet US Standard Durability: That means they are:
- IPX7 rated
- Water-, sweat-, crush-, and shockproof
- Can handle immersion in 1 metre up to 30 mins
We tested these on many dripping-wet 10km during the recent heatwave and they held up fine.
The stiffer silicone means the wing tips hold shape better than in the Jaybird Run XT which is a big step forward for long term fit and durability.
Battery life
The Jaybird Vista battery life kicks out 16 hours with 6 hours in each bud and 10 hours in the case.
They charge from dead to max in just 2 hours
You can also get enough juice for an hour’s run from a 5-minute quick charge.
You can use the buds independently so if you really need to extend the listening time, say on an ultra, that’s possible.
And the Vista automatically combines the audio to the bud you’re using so you don’t lose anything important.
They have an auto power off when the buds aren’t in use so you should never come back to find your headphones dead by accident.
Controls
You get smooth indented controls that feel good on the fingers and are nicely responsive. There’s no need for heavy prodding that sometimes dislodges other buds.
The control options are limited but for goldfish brains like me that just makes it simple to memorise the options. Music can be controlled from both buds and controls are configurable in the app with the option to assign Play/pause, next track, volume, launch Siri etc for single and double press, and press and hold.
Sound
The Jaybird Vista pack 6mm drivers for good quality sound though one big criticism we have is that they’re not as loud as some. That’s all good for your ears, but sometimes when you’re lungs and legs are burning and you want a kick in the pants, these are more like a size 7 than a size 11.
You can tweak the sound with custom EQ profiles and save multiple different audio profiles for the gym, trails and road running.
There’s no noise cancellation, though the ear gel fit creates decent noise isolation. There’s also no hearthrough or transparency mode like you get in other newer true wireless headphones.
Connectivity was reliable for me in tests though Mike and Tom from The Run Testers both had some issues using the Vista with a Google Pixel
Jaybird Vista price
The Jaybird Vista UK price is £159.99 and the US price is $179.99.
That’s cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro, the Jabra Elite 75t, the Jabra Elite Active 75t and the PowerBeats Pro.
Now watch this: Jabra Elite Active 75t review
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