For many of us, wireless earbuds have become an essential part of daily life. Today, we'll compare two top contenders: the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) and the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 ($279), helping you decide which best fits your needs.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's premium earbuds offer features that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago - from spatial audio (which creates a virtual surround sound experience) to adaptive noise cancellation that changes based on your environment.
What makes these two models particularly interesting is their different approaches to similar problems. The AirPods Pro 2 launched in late 2022, bringing significant improvements in noise cancellation and sound quality over the original model. The Elite 10 Gen 2, released in early 2024, takes a more versatile approach with its innovative Smart Case that adds wired connectivity options.
Both earbuds deliver excellent sound quality, but they take different approaches:
The AirPods Pro 2 use Apple's H2 chip to process audio in real-time, automatically adjusting the sound to your ear shape. This creates a remarkably consistent listening experience across different users. The noise cancellation is particularly impressive, using microphones both inside and outside the earbuds to detect and cancel unwanted noise before it reaches your ears.
The Elite 10 Gen 2 offers more customizable sound through its Sound+ app. You can adjust the equalizer (EQ) settings to your preference, whether you prefer more bass for workouts or clearer vocals for podcasts. Their noise cancellation is slightly less effective than the AirPods but still very capable, especially with low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or train noise.
Here's where the biggest differences emerge:
The AirPods Pro 2 shine brightest in Apple's ecosystem. They instantly pair with all your Apple devices, automatically switching between them as needed. Features like spatial audio with head tracking and hands-free Siri access work seamlessly. However, on Android devices, they function as basic Bluetooth earbuds with limited features.
The Elite 10 Gen 2 work equally well on any platform. Their Sound+ app provides full functionality on both iOS and Android, including firmware updates and feature customization. The Smart Case is particularly innovative - it can connect to any audio source with a USB-C or 3.5mm jack, making these earbuds compatible with airplane entertainment systems, gaming consoles, and older devices.
For home theater use, both models offer spatial audio, but with different implementations:
The AirPods Pro 2 provide an excellent theater experience with Apple TV and supported streaming services. The head tracking feature makes it feel like the sound is coming from your TV, even when you turn your head.
The Elite 10 Gen 2's Smart Case gives them an advantage for traditional home theater setups. You can connect directly to your TV or receiver via USB or analog input, eliminating Bluetooth lag that can make audio and video out of sync.
Battery life is similar between the two:
Both support wireless charging and quick charging features. In my experience, both easily last through a full day of mixed use.
The AirPods Pro 2 are lightweight and comfortable but have an IPX4 rating (splash resistant). The Elite 10 Gen 2 have a more secure fit and higher IP57 rating (dust and water resistant), making them better suited for workouts or rainy conditions.
The AirPods Pro 2 frequently go on sale for around $190, which makes them an excellent value, especially for Apple users. At their regular price of $249, they're still competitive given their features and integration.
The Elite 10 Gen 2 at $279 might seem expensive, but their versatility and Smart Case functionality can make them a better value if you'll use these features. They're essentially multiple devices in one - wireless earbuds, wired earbuds, and a Bluetooth transmitter.
Consider your primary use case:
From my experience testing both, the AirPods Pro 2 are the clear choice for Apple users who want a seamless experience. However, the Elite 10 Gen 2's versatility and platform-agnostic approach make them more compelling for users who want one pair of earbuds to work with everything.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and how you'll use them. Both are excellent products that represent the current state of the art in wireless audio technology.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) | Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 ($279) |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Integration - Determines how seamlessly they work with your devices | |
| Optimized for Apple, limited Android support | Full features on both iOS and Android |
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| Industry-leading ANC with adaptive features | Good ANC, slightly less effective than AirPods |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for workouts and outdoor use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant only) | IP57 (water/dust proof) |
| Battery Life with ANC - Affects daily usability | |
| 6 hours + 24 hours case (30 total) | 6 hours + 30 hours case (36 total) |
| Connectivity Options - Flexibility for different use cases | |
| Bluetooth only | Bluetooth + USB-C/3.5mm via Smart Case |
| Sound Customization - Control over audio preferences | |
| Adaptive EQ, limited manual control | Full EQ control via app |
| Spatial Audio - Enhanced immersion for movies/music | |
| Advanced with dynamic head tracking | Basic spatial audio support |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Excellent with voice isolation | Good but not class-leading |
| Charging Options - Convenience factor | |
| MagSafe, Qi wireless, USB-C | Qi wireless, USB-C |
| Multi-Device Support - Useful for work/home setup | |
| Automatic switching (Apple only) | Multi-point Bluetooth (any device) |
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 both offer excellent sound for movies. The AirPods Pro 2 have more advanced spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, making them superior for home theater use when paired with Apple devices. However, the Elite 10's Smart Case allows direct connection to TVs, eliminating Bluetooth lag.
At $249, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better value for Apple users, especially when on sale (~$190). The Elite 10 Gen 2 at $279 justify their higher price through greater connectivity options and platform flexibility.
Yes, both work with TVs, but differently. The Elite 10 Gen 2 can connect directly through the Smart Case via USB or 3.5mm audio, while AirPods Pro 2 require Bluetooth or Apple TV for optimal performance.
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 offer slightly better total battery life with 36 hours including the case, compared to 30 hours for the AirPods Pro 2. Both provide about 6 hours per charge with noise cancellation on.
The Elite 10 Gen 2 work equally well with all phones, offering full features through their Sound+ app. AirPods Pro 2 have limited functionality on Android, functioning only as basic Bluetooth earbuds.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer superior active noise cancellation, particularly useful for home theater use in noisy environments. The Elite 10 Gen 2 provide good noise cancellation but aren't quite as effective.
The Elite 10 Gen 2's Smart Case allows direct connection to gaming consoles, reducing latency. AirPods Pro 2 work best for gaming when paired with Apple devices but may have noticeable lag with other gaming systems.
Both are comfortable, but the AirPods Pro 2 are slightly lighter. The Elite 10 Gen 2 offer a more secure fit but might feel heavier during extended viewing sessions.
Yes, both the AirPods Pro 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 support Qi wireless charging. The AirPods also support MagSafe charging with compatible chargers.
The Elite 10 Gen 2 have an advantage here, as their Smart Case can connect directly to airplane entertainment systems. AirPods Pro 2 require Bluetooth connectivity, which many airplane systems don't support.
Both support multiple devices, but differently. AirPods Pro 2 seamlessly switch between Apple devices, while Elite 10 Gen 2 offer standard Bluetooth multipoint for any device combination.
The Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 are more durable with IP57 water/dust resistance, compared to the AirPods Pro 2 IPX4 rating which only protects against splashes.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.com - tomsguide.com - soundguys.com - rtings.com - rtings.com - loudnwireless.com - soundguys.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - seriousinsights.net
