The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are budget in-ears with an ANC feature. These comfortable and stable headphones have a neutral sound profile that's well-suited for a variety of audio content. Their battery life lasts over five hours and if you need a top-up, their carrying case has over three additional charges to keep you going. Unfortunately, their ANC feature is disappointing as it struggles to cut down noise in the bass and mid-ranges. That said, if you're looking for a pair of headphones to take with you to the gym, they can be a great choice.
Our Verdict
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are satisfactory for mixed use. These comfortable, stable in-ears have a fairly neutral sound profile. If you like to work out with headphones, they have an IPX8 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this. However, they have a disappointing ANC feature which struggles to reduce bass and mid-range noise, which isn't ideal if you're looking to cut down bus engines or office chatter. Their continuous battery life also may not be enough to last you through your entire 9-5. On the upside, their carrying case has over three additional charges to keep you going.
- Well-built design.
- IPX8 rating.
- Disappointing ANC.
- No sound customization.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are decent for neutral sound. These comfortable headphones have a fairly balanced sound profile, although their treble is a little dark, which slightly dulls instruments and sibilants like cymbals. They also don't have a companion app, so you won't be able to easily EQ them. On the upside, they have consistent bass and treble delivery.
- Well-built design.
- Disappointing ANC.
- No sound customization.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are decent for commute and travel. They're comfortable enough to wear for long commutes and can be tossed into most pockets or bags thanks to their compact design. Unfortunately, their biggest weakness is they barely cut down any bass-level noise like bus and plane engines, even with their ANC on. Their single charge battery life could last through a commute, but if you have an overnight flight, you may need to pop them back into their case for a battery top-up.
- Well-built design.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are great for sports and fitness. They have a comfortable, stable fit. Since they're truly wireless, you don't have to worry about a cable snagging on something and pulling your headphones out of your ears. They also have an IPX8 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.
- Well-built design.
- IPX8 rating.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are okay for office use. They're comfortable enough to wear for long periods. While they leak a bit of sound at a high volume, it sounds thin to those around you. However, their ANC is disappointing and it barely reduces ambient chatter. Their battery life may not be enough to get you through a 9-5. Luckily, their carrying case holds a few extra charges.
- Well-built design.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Mediocre battery life.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are Bluetooth-only headphones. While they can be used via Bluetooth on PCs, their latency is likely too high to be recommended for gaming.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are Bluetooth-only headphones and can't be used wired.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are fair for phone calls. Their integrated microphone can capture voices well, although speech sounds a little muffled and lacking in detail. However, it struggles a bit to separate voice from moderately noisy environments. The ANC feature of these headphones is disappointing too, so you may have some problem hearing the person on the other line if you're in a loud environment.
- Decent recording quality.
- Disappointing ANC.
- Sub-par noise isolation.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 17, 2023: We've received a user report of Bluetooth instability. As a result, we've updated Bluetooth, but the scoring of this box hasn't changed.
- Updated Feb 21, 2022: We've retested 'Weight' in Comfort.
- Updated Sep 10, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 01, 2020: Early access published.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are budget truly wireless in-ears. They have a distinct stem style that's similar to other budget headphones such as the Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Truly Wireless. Even though they don't have a companion app, their neutral sound profile is suitable for most audio genres. On the downside, their ANC is disappointing at best and does little to cut down bass-level noise like bus engines. If you're looking for more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best truly wireless earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and the best noise cancelling earbuds and in-ear headphones.
The Mpow M30 Truly Wireless and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are in-ears with different strengths. While both headphones are comfortable and well-built, the X3 have a more neutral sound profile. Their continuous battery life is longer, they have a standby mode to help lengthen the time between recharges, and their integrated microphone has a better recording quality too. However, they aren't any better at blocking out ambient noise, even though they have an ANC feature. Some users may also prefer the M30's stemless design as well as their slightly more bass-heavy sound profile.
The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 79 Truly Wireless and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are both similarly performing in-ears. The TaoTronics have a more thumpy sound that some users may prefer, they can isolate more noise, and they leak less sound. However, the Mpow are more comfortable, have better controls, and their carrying case is better designed. Their integrated mic also does a better job of noise handling and while their total battery life is a bit shorter than the TaoTronics, there's a standby mode to help you conserve your battery life.
The Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 and the Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have different strengths. The Mpow are more comfortable, they have better controls, and they feel more stable in-ear. However, the Anker have a bass-heavy sound that some users may prefer. Even without an ANC feature, they're able to reduce more ambient noise than the Mpow's ANC, and they even have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets. If you're looking for something to wear while commuting, go with the Anker but if you're looking for a more neutral listening experience, go with the Mpow.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are slightly better in-ear headphones for most uses than the Skullcandy Indy Truly Wireless. The Mpow feel better built with easier-to-use controls and a more stable fit. Their sound profile is more neutral while their integrated mic has a better recording quality. They also have better overall battery performance. However, the Skullcandy can isolate more noise, even when compared to the Mpow with their ANC feature.
Test Results
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless are sleek black in-ears with a long stem. Unlike the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 95 Truly Wireless, which have a glossy design, these in-ears have a satin finish, which helps give them a bit more of a premium look and feel. Consider the Mpow X6 Truly Wireless if you're looking for more conventionally-styled in-ears.
Update 02/22/2022: We originally reported the headphones' weight as '0.2 lbs'. However, their correct weight is '0.02 lbs'. We have corrected our results and updated our review.
These headphones are comfortable. They don't have a deep fit, and they don't put a lot of pressure on the ears. They also come with six ear tips so you can find the right fit.
These headphones have decent controls. Although they can be a little confusing right off the bat, they're easy to use once you get the hang of them. One tap on the left earbud lowers the volume and a tap on the right earbud raises it. You can play or pause by double-tapping on either ear. If you want to skip backward or forward, you can triple-tap on the left and right earbud, respectively. When the left earbud is held for two seconds, it activates voice assistant, while the same motion on the right earbud turns ANC on/off. There are a few beeps when you turn the power as well as ANC on/off, Bluetooth pairing, and max volume.
The Mpow X3 are lightweight in-ears with outstanding portability. You can easily fit them in your pockets or bags without a problem.
These headphones have a good hard case. It's made out of plastic and it's fairly solid and compact. However, the lid feels a little flimsy.
The Mpow X3 Earbuds are very well-built headphones. Even though they're completely made of plastic, they feel dense. They also have an IPX8 rating for water resistance, although we don't currently test for this.
These in-ear headphones have a very stable fit. Even though they don't come with stability fins, they shouldn't fall out of your ears while you're running or working out.
- Mpow X3 Truly Wireless headphones
- Charging case
- USB-C charging cable
- x3 Ear tips
- x3 Extra soft ear tips
- Manuals
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have a fairly balanced sound profile with just a touch of brightness. They're suitable for a variety of audio genres but they don't come with an EQ so you won't be able to customize their sound if you prefer a little more bass. Take a look at the Mpow MDots True Wireless if you're looking for truly wireless in-ears that offer more thump and rumble.
These headphones have an outstanding frequency response. Once you achieve a proper fit and seal with the included tips, you should get consistent bass and treble response every time you use them.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have outstanding bass accuracy. The response is very flat and neutral, resulting in full-bodied and thumpy bass.
These headphones have excellent mid accuracy. The response is fairly flat, although there's a small dip in the mid-mids that nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. However, the bump in the high-mids helps bring a touch of intensity and clarity to these instruments.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have decent treble accuracy. The low-treble is slightly overemphasized which may cause some instruments and vocals to sound a little harsh. However, the mid and high-treble are both underemphasized which makes sibilants like S and T sounds a bit dull.
The Mpow X3 Truly Wireless have decent peaks and dips performance. There's a dip in the mid-mids that nudges vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix. The following peaks in the high-mids and the low-treble makes instruments sound harsh and painful.
The Mpow X3 have excellent stereo imaging. The group delay is below the audibility threshold for the entire range, ensuring a tight bass and transparent treble reproduction. The L/R drivers of our test unit are also very well-matched. This is important for the accurate placement and localization of objects (like voices or footsteps) in the stereo image. These results are only valid for our unit and yours may perform differently.
Just like many other closed-back in-ear headphones, the Mpow X3's passive soundstage is bad. Due to their in-ear design, they bypass the pinna or outer ear, which is a big factor in creating an out-of-head or speaker-like soundstage. Without activating the pinna, their soundstage is perceived as small and located inside your head rather than out in front.
These headphones don't have any virtual soundstage features.
The Mpow X3's weighted harmonic distortion performance is good. There are a couple of small peaks in the treble range, but it shouldn't be audible for most people.
These are the settings we used to these headphones. The test results are only valid for these settings.
These headphones have disappointing noise isolation. Even with their ANC on, they struggle to cut down bass-range noise like bus and train engines. They also aren't suited for reducing mid-range noise like ambient chatter. While they do better at blocking out treble-range noise like the hum of an AC fan, it's still mediocre at best. Consider the Mpow X5 Truly Wireless, the Cowin Apex Elite Truly Wireless, or the TOZO NC9 Truly Wireless if you're looking for in-ears with a more effective ANC system.
These headphones have very good leakage performance. Most of the leakage is concentrated in the treble range, which sounds thin to those around you. However, if you're listening to your music at max volume, others may be able to hear some of it.
These headphones have an integrated microphone.
The recording quality of the integrated mic is decent. Your voice sounds somewhat neutral and clear, although a little muffled and lacking in detail.
The noise handling of the mic is mediocre. It struggles to separate your voice from even moderately noisy environments, and you're heard most clearly in more quiet spaces.
The Mpow X3 have an unremarkable battery performance. They have just over five hours of continuous battery life with the ANC on. They also have over three charges in the case. They're advertised to have up to 180 hours of standby mode as well, but we don't currently test this feature.
These headphones don't have a companion app.
The Mpow X3 Earbuds have okay Bluetooth connectivity. Unfortunately, a user has reported experiencing Bluetooth instability when in public spaces. Our unit also has an issue with the pairing connection, so we can't confirm whether Bluetooth instability is more commonplace. If you've experienced this, please let us know in the forums.
These buds don't have NFC or multi-device pairing either, which is a little disappointing. They also have a lot of latency on PC and iOS when streaming video. While it's lower on Android, different apps and devices compensate for latency differently.
These headphones are Bluetooth-only.
These headphones can't be used wired. However, they come with a USB-C cable so that you can charge their case.
These headphones are compatible with PC via Bluetooth if your PC is Bluetooth-compatible. However, they aren't compatible with PS4.
