We’ve loved the Jaybird Vista earbuds since they launched a few years ago, taking them on plane rides, car rides, and bike rides. They’re comfortable, ultralight, and with the included charging case, we could basically get a full day of use from them.
For cycling, they work independently, letting us run just one ear to maintain situational awareness while still enjoying high quality sound and an excellent lack of wind noise. Our only complaint was that they’re sonically opaque…meaning, they block out nearly all outside noise.
Now, the Jaybird Vista 2.0 solves for that and does so much more to make them the best headphones for cycling and sport…
What’s new on the Jaybird Vista 2.0 earbuds?
In a nutshell, the audio capabilities have increased and improved, usability is better, and they’re more “Earth Proof” than ever. Here’s the bullet point list of new features:
- Ambient sound amplifier
- Active noise cancellation
- In-ear sensor
- Even more waterproof and durable
- 24 hour battery life
- Improved “Find My Earbuds/Case” features
- Improved Sport Eargels for custom fit
Let’s start with the sound. The new Vista 2.0 gets 6mm drivers for big sound, but also adds four external microphones – two per side. These exterior microphones serve two purposes. The easy one is better, clearer phone calls thanks to beamforming that focuses pickup on your voice while ignoring other noises.
They’ve also added a new WindDefense fabric cover for the exterior, which reduces wind noise when using them to talk while moving fast. Which is good even if you’re not making calls while riding or running…they work with voice assistants like Siri and Hey Google, too.
The other is what they call SurroundSense. Where the prior models physically blocked outside noise thanks to their secure fit, these new buds allow you to amplify ambient noise so you’re more aware of your surroundings. For cycling on the road, or jogging in a crowded space, or even just working out in a gym, this is a game changer for both safety and not being a you-know-what.
To change between Open, Closed and Off SurroundSense modes, just double tap either ear bud. Turning it off will save battery life, and likely block most outside noise simply by plugging your ears.
The ear sensors detect when the buds are placed in your ear, and when they’re removed. It will then auto-pause your music when you remove one or both from your ear, and automatically resume playing when they’re reinserted.
Those 6mm drivers on the new Jaybird Vista 2.0 provide rock solid sound, and you can customize it with the company’s app’s EQ. Change the settings, and the earbuds remember it even when they’re not connected to the app.
They come with three sizes of silicone eargels so you can fit them to your ears. We’ve found that they hold tight while also being comfortable, and it doesn’t look like they’ve messed with the design for v2.0.
They’re pretty much everything proof
Vista 2.0 earbuds are “military grade” tough, which they call Earth Proof and makes them impervious to anything you’re likely to throw at them. Or throw them at. They’re IP68 rated, so you can submerge them for 30 minutes and they’ll be fine.
The case is IP54 rated, so more splashproof and sweatproof…but it’s now wireless charging compatible and has more LEDs on the outside to give you a better sense of the charge level.
They’re so small… won’t I lose them?
Probably, but only for a few minutes. The original had a “find my bud” feature. Now, that feature works even better, and there’s a “find my case”, too.
In the app, you can choose which bud (left or right) you want to find, and it’ll show on a map the last place it was used while connected to your phone…and it’s connected pretty much anytime you’re listening to something. You can do the same for the case, too.
You can also ping the buds if they’re within Bluetooth range and make them start beeping so you can listen for them…great for when you swear you set them down on the desk but now they’ve disappeared.
Jaybird Vista 2 specs & pricing
Here’s the rest of the tech specs on these new sport earbuds:
- 24 hour total battery life (with 3x full charges from the case)
- 8 hour ear bud life standard
- 6 hour ear bud life with Active Noise Cancelling turned on
- 5 minute quick charge = 1 hour listening time
- 2×2 Mic beamforming
- 6mm milled driver
- 4 mics
- In-ear detection
- IPX8 + MIL 810G (earbuds)
- IPX4 (case)
- Colors: Black, Nimbus Gray, Midnight Blue
Available now for $199.99, you can get them direct and on Amazon.
