Sound Quality

While the Run didn’t have the kind of sound quality that put the Bose at the top of the list in this category, the difference in quality was negligible. The Run also offers a free app that allows users to adjust the sound quality settings based on personal preference, and this ability can greatly enhance the listening pleasure. Straight out of the box, the Run tend to perform well at the mid-range and have a strong bass while the treble tends to be a little weak. However, by adjusting the settings through the app, you can create a sound profile that is customized to your listening preference and gives the Run great performance throughout the entire range.  

Comfort & Fit

The Runs were not only the most comfortable earbuds in the test, they were also the most secure fitting of all the true wireless earbuds. The corded earbuds like the PowerBeats and Active Stadion still felt more secure, largely due to the fact that if one earbud came free, it would still be tethered. That being said, the Run never gave any indication, even during the most rigorous exercises, that they would ever be prone to fall out of the ears. If the greatest indication of earbud comfort is the ability of the user to forget that he or she is wearing the earbuds, then the Run succeed brilliantly.  

Ease of Use

The Run are extremely easy to use. The initial set-up is intuitive and pairing was problem-free. There is only a single operation button that is easy to push. Operations are divided between the two buds, but Jaybird thoughtfully put all of the most important functions on the right earbud so the only ability you’re missing out on by using only one bud is being able to access Siri or Google Assistant. Unlike the SoundSport Free or Elite Sport, you don’t have the ability to control the volume on the earbuds themselves. You can turn this feature on with the Jaybird app, but doing so replaces the ability to play/pause and access Siri.

Versatility

The true wireless design combined with the comfort and secure fit of the Run make them extremely versatile earbuds. In addition to testing them in the gym and on both street and trail runs, the Run earbuds were used on several mountain biking excursions where the ability to have only one earbud in at a time is essential for the safety of the user as well as other riders and hikers. The earbuds are also sweatproof and water resistant just in case you happen to run into some unforeseen weather while running, riding, or hiking.

Features

Like some of the other earbuds in the test, the true wireless design is the most appealing feature of the Run. The hard-sided case that also charges the earbuds is a great design feature and provides two more charges to the buds. One of the major drawbacks to the Run is that the spare earbud can’t be left in the protective case if you are only using one bud because they won’t pair with the phone. The Run do come with a soft-sided case that keeps the other bud clean and somewhat protected, but it just doesn’t offer the same kind of safety as the hard-sided case. In addition to having a built-in equalizer to customize the sound style of your music, the Jaybird app offers many other customizable features as well as the ability to find your earbuds if you happen to misplace them. The earbuds have a 4 hour playtime, which is the shortest of any of the earbuds tested, however, they also offer a fast charge that yields 1 hour of play time after only 5 minutes of charging.