When it comes to true wireless earbuds in 2024, we're spoiled for choice. Today, I'll help you decide between two popular options: the Jabra Elite 4 Active ($100) and the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($130). Both were released in 2023, with the Jabra launching in April and the Beats following later in the year, representing the latest in wireless earbud technology.
True wireless earbuds have come a long way since Apple introduced AirPods in 2016. Today's models offer features that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago: active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and counter outside noise), transparency modes (that let you hear your surroundings when needed), and impressive battery life that can last all day.
What matters most in wireless earbuds has evolved too. While early models struggled with basic connectivity and battery life, today's buyers are focused on more refined aspects:
Let's examine how the Jabra Elite 4 Active and Beats Studio Buds Plus stack up in these key areas.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus takes the lead here with its custom two-layer transducer (the part that creates sound). In my testing, it delivers noticeably clearer vocals and more defined bass, making it excellent for both music and movies. When watching action scenes, you'll hear more detail in explosions and special effects.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active sounds good but not great. While perfectly fine for workouts and casual listening, it lacks the same level of clarity and punch. Think of it like comparing a good TV to a great one - both work well, but you can tell the difference when they're side by side.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but there's a clear winner. The Beats Studio Buds Plus uses larger microphones and better processing to more effectively quiet your surroundings. It's particularly good at reducing constant sounds like airplane engines or air conditioners.
The Jabra's noise cancellation is more basic. It helps reduce background noise but won't give you that same cone of silence feeling. However, for most everyday situations like working in a coffee shop, it's perfectly adequate.
Here's where the Jabra Elite 4 Active shines. With an IP57 rating, it's fully protected against dust and can handle being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. The Beats only offers IPX4, meaning it can handle sweat and light rain but not much more.
Both earbuds come with multiple tip sizes for a good fit, but the Jabra's design tends to stay more secure during intense movement. If you're looking for workout earbuds, this is a crucial difference.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers slightly better battery life:
The Jabra Elite 4 Active provides:
Neither offers wireless charging, which is disappointing at these price points.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus works especially well with Apple devices, offering instant pairing and Find My support, though it also works well with Android. It supports spatial audio (surround sound simulation) for compatible content, which can be great for movies.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is more platform-neutral but offers some unique features like adjustable EQ through its app and physical buttons that work reliably even with wet fingers.
Having used both extensively, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is the clear winner. Its secure fit, physical buttons, and superior water resistance make it ideal for everything from running to weightlifting. You won't worry about damaging them with sweat or rain.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus edges ahead here. Its better noise cancellation makes a real difference on buses, trains, or planes. The superior sound quality is also more noticeable when you're sitting still.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers a better experience for movie watching, especially with spatial audio support. The improved sound quality makes dialogue clearer and effects more impactful. However, both suffer from some audio lag that makes them less than ideal for gaming.
Both perform similarly for calls, though the Jabra has a slight edge in windy conditions thanks to its better microphone design. Neither will match a dedicated headset, but both are more than adequate for typical video meetings.
Choose the Jabra Elite 4 Active if:
Choose the Beats Studio Buds Plus if:
Both represent good value for their respective prices, but they're clearly designed with different users in mind. The Jabra excels as a durable, all-purpose earbud with a focus on active use, while the Beats offers a more refined listening experience for those who prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation.
Remember that both models represent significant improvements over their predecessors, with better battery life and more features than ever before. Whichever you choose, you'll get a capable set of wireless earbuds that can handle most everyday situations well.
| Jabra Elite 4 Active $100 | Beats Studio Buds Plus $130 |
|---|---|
| Water/Dust Rating - Critical for durability and workout use | |
| IP57 (fully waterproof/dustproof) | IPX4 (splash resistant only) |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Quality - Important for commuting and office use | |
| Basic ANC with moderate noise reduction | Enhanced ANC with 1.6x more noise cancellation power |
| Battery Life - Key for all-day use without recharging | |
| 7 hours (28 total with case) | 9 hours (36 total with case) |
| Sound Quality - Critical for music enjoyment and call clarity | |
| Good but basic sound profile | Superior with custom two-layer transducer |
| Controls - Important for ease of use during activities | |
| Physical buttons (more reliable when wet) | Touch controls (more prone to misreads) |
| Fit Security - Essential for workouts and active use | |
| Secure fit with wing-free design | Standard fit, may require adjustment during exercise |
| Ecosystem Integration - Matters for seamless device usage | |
| Platform neutral, works equally on all devices | Enhanced features with Apple devices |
| Microphone Quality - Critical for calls and meetings | |
| 4-mic system with good wind resistance | 3x larger mics with voice targeting algorithm |
| Spatial Audio - Important for immersive movie watching | |
| Not supported | Supported with compatible content |
The Beats Studio Buds Plus ($130) is superior for home theater use thanks to its spatial audio support and better sound quality. The Jabra Elite 4 Active ($100) lacks spatial audio and has slightly less detailed sound reproduction, making it less ideal for movie watching.
Both earbuds have some latency when watching videos. The Beats Studio Buds Plus generally performs better with Apple devices, while the Jabra Elite 4 Active maintains consistent latency across all devices. Neither is ideal for gaming due to audio delay.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus offers 9 hours per charge (36 total with case), while the Jabra Elite 4 Active provides 7 hours (28 total with case). Both should last through multiple movies or a full day of use.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus features significantly better noise cancellation, with 1.6x more ANC power than its predecessor. The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers basic noise cancellation that's adequate but not exceptional.
Both perform well for video calls. The Jabra Elite 4 Active has better wind resistance for outdoor calls, while the Beats Studio Buds Plus offers clearer voice quality in quiet environments.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is more durable with IP57 water and dust protection. The Beats Studio Buds Plus only offers IPX4 splash resistance.
Both support multi-device pairing. The Beats Studio Buds Plus works especially well within the Apple ecosystem, while the Jabra Elite 4 Active offers more consistent performance across all platforms.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus delivers superior sound quality with better bass response and clearer highs. The Jabra Elite 4 Active provides good but basic sound quality suitable for casual listening.
Only the Beats Studio Buds Plus supports spatial audio, providing a more immersive experience when watching compatible content. The Jabra Elite 4 Active does not offer this feature.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers better value at $100 if durability and exercise use are priorities. The Beats Studio Buds Plus justifies its higher $130 price with better sound quality and features.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active can handle rain and even submersion with its IP57 rating. The Beats Studio Buds Plus should only be used in light rain due to its IPX4 rating.
The Beats Studio Buds Plus tends to be more comfortable for extended viewing sessions due to its lighter pressure design. The Jabra Elite 4 Active has a more secure but potentially tighter fit that some users might find fatiguing during long sessions.
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: soundguys.com - blog.ear-phone-review.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - headphonecheck.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - techradar.com - soundguys.com - t3.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - cdw.com - beatsbydre.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - marketplace.uvation.com - abt.com - beatsbydre.com - beatsbydre.com
