When it comes to wireless earbuds, we've come a long way since Apple removed the headphone jack in 2016. Today's top contenders, the Beats Fit Pro ($149.99) and Jabra Elite 8 Active ($199.99), showcase just how far the technology has evolved. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
True wireless earbuds have become incredibly sophisticated since their early days. The Beats Fit Pro, released in November 2021, brought Apple's H1 chip technology to a more fitness-focused design. Meanwhile, the Jabra Elite 8 Active, launched in September 2023, represents the latest generation of sport-focused earbuds with impressive durability improvements.
Both earbuds deliver excellent audio quality, but they approach it differently. The Beats Fit Pro uses Apple's acoustic architecture, which provides a balanced, clear sound signature. They include spatial audio with dynamic head tracking - a feature that makes music and movies sound like they're coming from fixed points around you, even as you turn your head.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active takes a different approach, offering a more customizable sound through its companion app. While it doesn't have Apple's head tracking technology, it does include Dolby Audio support and impressive adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to your environment.
Here's where these earbuds really differentiate themselves:
The Beats Fit Pro uses a unique wingtip design that loops into your ear's concha (the bowl-shaped area above your ear canal). This creates a secure fit that's particularly good for running and high-impact activities. However, some users find the wingtips can cause fatigue during extended wear.
Jabra's Elite 8 Active uses what they call "ShakeGrip" technology - a special coating that becomes slightly tackier when wet with sweat. It's a clever solution that doesn't rely on physical wings or hooks, potentially offering better long-term comfort for some users.
This is a crucial difference between these models:
The Jabra's superior rating means you can actually rinse them under the tap after a workout, while the Beats should only handle light sweat and rain. For serious athletes or outdoor enthusiasts, this could be a deciding factor.
Battery technology has improved significantly in recent years, and both models show this:
Beats Fit Pro:
Jabra Elite 8 Active:
The Beats Fit Pro shines in the Apple ecosystem with:
The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers:
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both perform well, but the Jabra's superior water resistance and unique ShakeGrip technology give it an edge for intense training sessions.
The Beats Fit Pro's spatial audio makes podcast listening and music more engaging, while the Jabra's stronger noise cancellation might be better for noisy subway rides.
If you're planning to use these with your TV or home theater, the Beats Fit Pro's spatial audio creates a more immersive experience for movies and shows. However, the Jabra offers lower latency, which can be important for gaming.
At $149.99, the Beats Fit Pro offers excellent value, especially for iPhone users who'll benefit from the Apple ecosystem integration. The Jabra Elite 8 Active at $199.99 justifies its higher price with superior durability and battery life.
Consider these key factors:
Both companies continue to innovate. Jabra has already announced features like LE Audio support coming in future updates, while Beats (and Apple) typically release new models every 18-24 months with significant improvements.
Both the Beats Fit Pro and Jabra Elite 8 Active are excellent choices that reflect different priorities in design and functionality. The Beats excel at ecosystem integration and value, while the Jabra leads in durability and battery life. Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific needs and use cases rather than just the spec sheet.
Remember, the best earbuds are the ones that fit your lifestyle and stay in your ears - all the features in the world don't matter if they're uncomfortable or don't stay put during your activities.
| Beats Fit Pro ($149.99) | Jabra Elite 8 Active ($199.99) |
|---|---|
| Water/Dust Protection - Critical for durability and workout use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant only) | IP68 (fully waterproof and dustproof) |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without charging | |
| 6 hours (buds), 24 hours (with case) | 8 hours (buds), 32 hours (with case) |
| Fit Security - Essential for workout stability | |
| Wingtip design (physical lock) | ShakeGrip coating (gets tackier with sweat) |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects ease of use with your devices | |
| Excellent Apple integration, limited Android | Platform neutral, works equally well on all devices |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for commuting and focus | |
| Good ANC, basic adaptive features | Superior ANC with advanced environmental adaptation |
| Sound Customization - Affects ability to tune to your preferences | |
| Limited EQ options, preset sound profiles | Extensive EQ control through app |
| Special Features - Value-add capabilities | |
| Spatial Audio with head tracking, "Hey Siri" | Dolby Audio, multipoint connection, Spotify Tap |
| Case Features - Affects portability and charging | |
| Compact case, USB-C charging | Larger case, USB-C charging, better durability |
| Price Value Proposition - What you get for the money | |
| Better value for Apple users, often on sale | Premium price justified by durability and features |
The Beats Fit Pro has an advantage for home theater use due to its spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, which creates a more immersive experience when watching movies. The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers Dolby Audio but lacks the head tracking feature.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers superior battery life with 8 hours per charge and 32 hours total with the case, while the Beats Fit Pro provides 6 hours per charge and 24 hours total.
Both work well for late-night TV watching, but the Beats Fit Pro has lower latency when paired with Apple TV, making it slightly better for lip-sync accuracy.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active features more advanced adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to your environment, outperforming the Beats Fit Pro in this aspect.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers true multipoint connection for seamless switching between devices, while the Beats Fit Pro only offers this feature within the Apple ecosystem.
For gaming through a TV or console, both perform similarly, though the Beats Fit Pro has slightly lower latency when used with Apple devices.
The Beats Fit Pro wingtip design can cause fatigue during extended viewing, while the Jabra Elite 8 Active offers a more comfortable fit for longer sessions.
Both work well with streaming services, but the Beats Fit Pro's spatial audio feature enhances the experience with services that support it, like Apple TV+ and Disney+.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active has IP68 waterproofing, making it fully rain-safe, while the Beats Fit Pro is only IPX4 splash-resistant.
At $149.99, the Beats Fit Pro offers better value, especially for Apple users, compared to the Jabra Elite 8 Active at $199.99, though the Jabra includes more premium features.
Both work with any TV that supports Bluetooth audio, but you might need an additional Bluetooth transmitter for older TVs.
The Beats Fit Pro offers superior virtual surround sound through its spatial audio feature, making it better for home theater use than the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which uses standard Dolby Audio.
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: sixminutemile.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - expercom.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - soundguys.com - businesswire.com - staples.com - techradar.com - soundguys.com - bestbuy.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - soundguys.com - rtings.com - runnersworld.com - target.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com
