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Jaybird Vista
Jaybird didn’t wow many athletes with the Run true wireless earbuds, but looks to redeem itself with the Jaybird Vista. These sporty but sleek buds are IPX7-rated and come with a compact charging case. With so many great workout earbuds available, we’re here to see if the Vista merits a spot in your gym bag, or if you should run with another brand.
Editor’s note: this Jaybird Vista review was updated on August 25, 2021, to address the Jaybird Vista 2 and update the Alternatives section.
Who should get the Jaybird Vista?
- Athletes should consider the Jaybird Vista as their next gym companion. These waterproof earbuds maintain a secure fit no matter the conditions. Plus, the case supports quick charging.
- More specifically, runners will appreciate the added stability provided by the proprietary wing tips.
Start here: What makes a good set of in-ears?
What’s it like to use the Jaybird Vista?
The Jaybird Vista earbuds has a rounded, blocky build from the case to the earbuds. The earbuds come with preinstalled wing tips to keep the buds in place while you exercise, and angled nozzles relieve any potential ear canal discomfort. Unfortunately, though, the housings are deceptively large and become painful after 45 minutes.
Each earbud has a flat-button panel adorned with the Jaybird logo. Onboard controls are limited, and the default settings offer basic playback and call controls. To change this, download the Jaybird MySound app and reassign the single and double-tap functions. Be aware that when you press either button, the pressure may cause the bud to jam in your ear. This happens to be the case for the Jaybird Vista, which is both painful and annoying.
The earbuds aren't very comfortable but prove nearly impossible to shake out.
Not all is painful with the Vista: these are some cool-looking workout earbuds. The autoconnect feature works seamlessly and immediately, and Jaybird offers one of the best mobile app experiences around. It lets users update firmware, locate the earbuds, save custom EQ presets, and try out other users’ sound profiles.
Is the Jaybird Vista a good set of workout earbuds?
Yet again, Jaybird secures its title as a go-to workout headphone brand. Whether I was climbing or biking, the earbuds never wiggled out of place. While these aren’t swimmer-friendly earbuds, they can withstand an accidental dip into the pool because of the IPX7 rating. Outer ear pain became unbearable for me beyond an hour of wear. Your mileage may vary, but it definitely makes something like the Beats Powerbeats Pro more appealing.
How long does the Vista battery last?
We subjected the Jaybird Vista earbuds to the same conditions as all wireless products that come our way, a constant 75dB output, and measured 5 hours, 37 minutes of playback on a single charge. This falls slightly short of Jaybird’s listed six-hour battery life but is more than enough for a few workouts. Plus, these support quick charging: five minutes in the compact USB-C charging case allows for 60 minutes of playback. A full charge of the case requires two hours and provides you with an additional 10 hours of battery life.
Related: How long do AirPods last, and can you make them last longer?
How do you connect the Jaybird Vista to your phone?
To initiate pairing, open the Vista charging case. The LED should flash on and off. If the light isn’t flashing, hold the internal button down for two seconds. You may now open the Bluetooth menu on your phone and select the Jaybird Vista. The next time you open the case and remove the earbuds, they autoconnect to your device.
See also: Best true wireless earbuds
The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.0 firmware and lack high-quality Bluetooth codec support. While this is disappointing, the JBS1 chipset ensures a quick and strong connection between the earbuds and your phone. It creates two separate connections to the phone. This means you can use one earbud independent of the other, which is a safe option for outdoor athletes. You get 10 meters of wireless tethering before any hiccups present themselves.
How well does the Jaybird Vista block out sound?
Isolation is surprisingly good, seeing as these aren’t noise canceling earbuds. This is great if you exercise in a gym or other indoor, controlled environment. However, if you run or cycle outside, leave one earbud in the case so you can hear your surroundings. Jaybird provides three pairs of ear tips for you to find the right fit. The downside to using proprietary sleeves like this, though, is that it’s nearly impossible to find functional third-party ear tips.
How does the Jaybird Vista sound?
The Jaybird Vista lightly emphasizes bass notes for that added oomph, but midrange notes (that bump from 700-2000Hz) receive the most emphasis. This is a departure from how archetypical workout earbuds sound, but it makes the Vista more versatile. I have no problem listening to these when walking around or cooking; it doesn’t seem appropriate to pigeonhole them as just workout earbuds when the frequency response bodes well for most mainstream genres.
Lows, mids, and highs
Sundara Karma’s song Deep Relief sounds fine, but there is some auditory masking. Skip ahead to the first chorus (1:06). Oscar Pollack’s vocals falls below 700Hz, where the midrange emphasis begins. This makes his voice prone to auditory masking from the slightly more amplified low-end frequencies and certainly from the higher-pitched midrange ones (e.g. electric guitar).
These workout earbuds don't bombard your ears with bass.
Core instruments like guitar and piano, sound great with the Vista earbuds. A bridge in the song begins at 2:20. Here, you can appreciate the treble emphasis, especially every time a cymbal is hit. The synth keys sound good, but detail is lost to other sounds like the drums.
Is the mic good for phone calls?
No, I wouldn’t recommend using the earbuds for phone calls and especially not for business calls. As heard from the demo below, my voice sounds a bit gargled and unnatural. This is a consequence of the attenuated low-end microphone response. Even if the mic had a perfectly neutral frequency response, it picks up virtually all background noise. No matter where you are, the person on the other end of the call is bound to be distracted by your environment.
Jaybird Vista microphone demo:
How does the microphone sound to you?
As of April 6, 2021, 668 readers have rated the above mic sample as somewhere between “bad” and “okay.” This falls below average for what you should expect to get out of any products of this type.
What’s the difference between the Jaybird Vista and Jaybird Vista 2?
The Jaybird Vista 2 may look similar to the Vista but it includes a few new and notable features like active noise canceling (ANC) and an IP54 rated case. The Vista 2 earbuds are more durable than the original Vista, too; they merit an IP68 rating against dust and water. Jaybird ditched the smooth plastic panels of the Vista for a cloth covering that reduces wind noise, though it’s not as effective as we hoped. With ANC on, the battery life lasts 5 hours, 20 minutes which is less than the Vista; though, you should get more playtime from the Vista 2 if you disable noise canceling.
Generally, though, the Vista and Vista 2 are very similar to one another. If you must have noise canceling and don’t care for durability, read our alternatives section below.
Should you buy the Jaybird Vista?
If you had the Jaybird Run and weren’t satisfied with its Bluetooth performance, the Vista earbuds is a good upgrade. It features a similar, yet more modern design and retain an IPX7 rating. For a similar price, you can get the very comfortable Bose Sport Earbuds, which boasts a better microphone system and sound quality. The popular Jabra Elite 75t, on the other hand, can be had for the same price. If you do happen to get the Jaybird Vista, you’ll likely enjoy it. Though, it would be a disservice to omit to mention more comfortable and affordable alternatives.
Save some cash and get the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are both great options for Samsung Galaxy smartphone owners. The Buds Pro has an IPX7 rating, while the Buds Plus features an IPX2 rating, either way, the Galaxy Buds line will get you through most workouts. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro costs a little bit more than the Jaybird Vista, but that extra cost gets you active noise canceling, comprehensive touch controls, and a slew of Samsung features like 360 Audio. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 costs even less than the Vista and includes noise canceling too.
How do Jaybird’s true wireless earbuds stack up against the competition?
The Jaybird Vista are some of the best true wireless workout earbuds, especially if you’re someone who values both style and function. The matte black finish looks great in or out of the gym, but this understated design doesn’t forgo durability.
Jaybird Vista vs Bose Sport Earbuds
The Jaybird Vista compares well to the Bose Sport Earbuds, but some users may prefer the more comfortable fit that Bose’s StayHear Max ear tips provide. Both headsets maintain a secure fit, making either a great option for vigorous workouts, but the Vista earbuds are more durable than Bose’s. Jaybird’s true wireless workout earbuds are IPX7-rated, while the Bose Sport Earbuds merit just an IPX4 rating. Both are suitable for standard workouts, but if you run on the beach, and are worried about fumbling the buds into the ocean, you may want to invest in the Vista.
Both headsets have mobile companion apps, though Jaybird’s is more fleshed out with must-have features like a virtual EQ module. Bose, however, already showed its commitment to improving the Sport Earbuds when it upgraded the touch controls and connection stability. You can’t go wrong with either headset, but if you need something comfortable, go with Bose; and if you need something unbreakable, go with Jaybird.
If you’re a runner or outdoor enthusiast, you may want to remain aware of your surroundings at all times. In that case, take a look at the Bose Sport Open Earbuds which attach to the top of your ears and leave your ear canals completely open to the environment. While this isn’t the most comfortable fit, it’s as safe as earbuds get and offers better sound quality than bone conduction headphones.
Jaybird Vista vs Jabra Elite Active 75t
Jabra’s newer Jabra Elite Active 75t workout earbuds are a great option, too. The Elite Active 75t earned an IP57 rating, making them more durable than the Vista. Additionally, the Elite Active 75t are smaller than Jaybird’s with a 7.24-hour listed battery life, compared to the Vista’s six-hour listed battery life.
Jaybird Vista vs Beats Powerbeats Pro and Apple AirPods Pro
Then there are workout earbuds with a completely different design philosophy like the Beats Powerbeats Pro or Apple AirPods Pro, both of which retail for around $250. The former sports ear hooks wrap around the back of the ear, which works well with the angled nozzles to create a comfortable, secure fit.
Apple’s AirPods Pro, on the other hand, retains the standard AirPods’ stemmed design with added water-resistance and noise canceling capabilities. Both sets of earbuds feature more advanced sensor and microphone technology than the Jaybird Vista but are significantly more expensive, and may not be justifiable for those on tighter budgets.
Next: Best Beats alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Like the original Jaybird Tarah, the Jaybird Tarah Pro feature a traditional wireless build, meaning the earpieces are joined by a flexible cable. This doesn’t afford quite as much freedom as the true wireless earbuds, but it has its benefits too, namely battery life. The Tarah Pro can last up to 14 hours on a single charge, and they too support fast charging. Just like the Jaybird Vista, the Tarah Pro are IPX7-rated. The magnetic earbud housings keep everything tidy when the buds aren’t in use, and you can wrap the cable around your ears for a more secure fit. Both retail for $99 USD, but if you value battery life, the Tarah Pro are a better buy.
Yes, the Jaybird Vista will still work without being connected to the mobile Jaybird app! The application is great if you want to EQ the sound or need to find your earbuds, but it isn’t necessary for the Jaybird Vista to function with another Bluetooth device. If you have an iOS or Android device, be it a smartphone or tablet, you can download the compatible Jaybird mobile app and pair your Jaybird Vista to the mobile device. From there, you can make adjustments to the Jaybird Vista earphones’ sound signature, and the earphones will remember your settings as you move from device to device. In other words, any EQ adjustments you make in the Jaybird app to the Vista true wireless earbuds will be remembered and applied when using the Vista with, say, your MacBook Pro laptop.
The Jaybird Vista aren’t necessarily better than the Tarah, and vice versa. It completely depends on what you prefer when it comes to fit and battery life. The Vista earbuds have a blockier shape than the Tarah which some may find uncomfortable in comparison. However, some athletes are bothered by the wire joining the Tarah earbuds; in that case, the Vista ‘buds are the better fit. If you’re on a tight budget, the Jaybird Tarah is a great buy because you’re afforded much of the same functionality as the Jaybird X4 and Vista earphones.