The Jabra Elite 5 Review: The Best TWS At This Price?

All of us are using or have used at some point in time, some form of a TWS. They have become increasingly popular over the course of the last few years and there is good reason behind it. In this review, I will be taking a deep dive into one such product, the Jabra Elite 5 and finding out how good this TWS product actually is.

Design and Build

The Elite 5 from Jabra has a smooth and solid build. The product gives off a premium vibe from the get-go. Be it the packaging, the accessories or the product itself, one look and you can tell these are not your every TWS earbuds.

The earbuds have the same iconic design we saw in the Jabra Elite 3. The matte plastic construction is amazing as usual. The Elite 5 buds are nicely shaped and fit just right. You also have the option of choosing from the spare tips according to individual needs. The snug fit of the Elite 5 is really something.

The case has the same matte plastic finish. It is a little chunky, so to speak, but that shouldn’t be much of a problem.

Performance

Jabra has opted for multifunctional buttons over touch controls. All the other brands, take note.

The Jabra Elite 5 buds are IP55 rated in terms of water and dust protection. They are stable once they are put in the ear canal and are able to handle intense movements.

The functions are pretty straightforward.

The buds can be controlled via the Jabra Sound+ app, available on both App Store as well as Play Store. The app easily pairs with the buds and allows better customization of the Elite 5. Features such as ANC levels, button controls and equaliser controls can be customized per preference. For the most part, it is fairly easy to use and intuitive.

Coming to the battery life, the Jabra Elite 5 offers a claimed runtime of about 9 hours on a single charge. The case is a different story with an additional claimed 21 hours, putting the total runtime at around 30 hours.

Verdict: Is It Worth It?

What impressed me: 

• ANC
• Software support
• Aptx technology
• Push buttons instead of touch controls
• Battery life (over 28 hours, case charge included)

The Jabra Elite series of products justify their moniker in every way imaginable and the Elite 5 is no different. The Jabra Elite 5 is a top-of-the-line TWS product that hits all the right spots. It is true that the Elite 5 does continue Jabra’s pattern of launching very similar products in rapid succession, but as long as the audio is great, the connectivity is seamless and the price doesn’t bankrupt you, we’re good.

One of the best things about the Elite 5 is the app that comes along with it. The Jabra Sound+ app is free to use and adds much value to the overall experience. As already mentioned, being able to customize audio as per your preference takes this product to a whole new level.

The other USP of the Elite 5 is its ANC. It is by far one of the best Active Noise Cancellation I have used, if not the best. When it comes to ANC, the competition is stiff. Some popular names that compete directly with the Jabra Elite 5 are the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 and the One Plus Buds Pro 2R. The ANC feature completely shuts you off from the world and helps focus. Although it is not 100 per cent (there will be instances where you will be able to hear outside noise), it is still better than the barrage of wireless ANC products available in the market.

Another key feature that most of the users will overlook is the Aptx support. The audio processing technology definitely tips the scales to Jabra’s advantage.

Battery life is very close to what Jabra claims. Stacked against the claimed 30-hour runtime, the actual runtime during my usage of the Jabra Elite 5 came close to 29 hours (ANC on and off).

The microphone is where the Elite 5 eats dust. There will be no complaints in ideal conditions, however, be prepared if there is wind or excessive background chatter. The mic will pick up every sound around you.

In conclusion, if you are willing to rise above the saturated pocket-friendly TWS market and spend a few extra bucks to get that premium audio experience, the Jabra Elite 5 is the way to go. The ANC is good (could have been better), Bluetooth pairing is quick and effective, IP55 ensures workouts and runs are safe and lastly, you have a customizable equalizer at your service.