Getting your groove on while you’re in the gym or out on a run is pretty key to enjoying workouts. You’d want a nice pair of sweat-resistant wireless earphones that let you move about without worrying about falling ear pieces. Beats’ new Powerbeats 4 aims to give you just that, and it’s being released at a much lower price point than its predecessor to boot. See how it compares against the Jaybird X4, one of the solid standout choices currently available.
Navigation
Powerbeats 4 vs Jaybird X4 Wireless Earphones Comparison Chart
| Model | Jaybird X4 | |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price |
| Fit | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Ear Tip Sizes | 4 | 4 |
| Speed Cinch | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX7 |
| Built-in Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | No | Yes |
| Mic | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 15 hours | 8 hours |
| Quick Charge | Yes | Yes |
| Colors | Red, Black, White | Black Metallic, Storm Metallic |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
Design
The
The problem with truly wireless earbuds is that they can be prone to falling out of your ears if you move a lot, which doesn’t make them too great for working out. Connecting cables and ear hooks or fins address that, which is what the
Where the
Each pair of earphones also come with multiple sizes of ear tips so you can choose the best fit for the occasion. However, the Jaybird X4 includes silicone tips as well as their signature Comply Ultra Foam Tips, which are much better for relaxed use. You get a bunch of ear fin sizes too, letting you adjust fit perfectly whether you’re wearing the Jaybird X4 over the ear or with the cable straight down.
Sound Quality
The
Apple has accomplished quite a feat helping the Beats brand move away from its notorious bass-loving sound into the premium, well-balanced quality it now offers. The
In contrast, you might not get the same power with the Jaybird X4, but it does feature Custom EQ settings so you can personalize sound quality to your taste. Pairing it with your phone and installing the app lets you try different presets saved by Jaybird as well as musicians, athletes and other users. You’ll want to do this right away since the Jaybird X4 is tuned flat out of the box.
It’s pretty important to select the right ear tip size to enjoy the best out of your earphones, since the sound suffers if they don’t fully seal. This can be a bit of a struggle with the Jaybird X4 since you’ll need to find the correct combination of ear fin size, ear tip size and type. The ear hooks of the
Battery Life
The
There’s no question that the
Both also have quick charging features so you can grab an extra hour of playback by charging the
Other Features
The Jaybird X4 is sweat and waterproof while the
Sport headphones need sufficient water resistance to survive repeated use since they’re ideally worn during strenuous activities. The Jaybird X4 has an IPX7 rating, so it’s fully sweat and water proof. You can run with it under all weather conditions and not worry about shorted circuits. In comparison, the
There are more advanced features on the
Verdict
The
Powerbeats 4
Jaybird X4
Though it’s a bit more expensive, the Beats Powerbeats 4 is definitely worth the extra since you get better out-of-the-box sound quality and nearly twice as long battery life. We found its adjustable ear hook design to be more secure in keeping the earphones in place, and they do look more stylish too. If you have an iPhone to use it with it’s even better, since you get near-instant pairing and stronger wireless connections along with hands-free Siri.
There are many scenarios where the Jaybird X4 might be better for you. If budget is tight you can grab it when it’s available with a discount and save quite a bit. You’ll get custom EQ settings to personalize its sound to what you like best, and you can do the same with how it fits your ears too.