Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two popular workout earbuds - the Jabra Elite 4 Active ($119.99) and the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($229). I'll help you understand exactly what you're getting for your money and who should choose which model.
The wireless earbud market has evolved significantly since the Elite 4 Active's release in early 2022. What was once considered premium tech - like basic noise cancellation and water resistance - is now standard. Today's buyers expect features like spatial audio (which makes sound feel like it's coming from around you, not just in your ears) and advanced noise cancellation that adapts to your environment.
The Elite 4 Active delivers surprisingly good sound for its price point, with clear mids and controlled bass that works well for workout motivation. It uses 6mm drivers (the tiny speakers inside the earbuds) and supports the aptX codec for better Bluetooth audio quality on Android devices.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 takes things further with Dolby Audio support and more sophisticated sound processing. The difference is noticeable - music has more depth and detail, especially in busy tracks. The spatial audio feature really shines when watching videos, creating a more immersive experience that's particularly enjoyable for home theater use.
Here's where we see a major technology leap. The Elite 4's noise cancellation is good for its price, handling consistent sounds like gym equipment or running footfalls well. However, the Elite 8 Gen 2's adaptive system is notably more sophisticated - it actively adjusts to your environment and is particularly effective at handling wind noise, which is crucial for outdoor activities.
Both models offer competitive battery life, but there's a clear winner:
Fast charging capabilities have also improved. The Elite 8 provides an hour of playback from just 5 minutes of charging, while the Elite 4 needs 10 minutes for the same result.
The Elite 4's IP57 rating means it's protected against dust and can handle being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. The Elite 8 ups this to IP68, adding complete dust protection and deeper water resistance. For most users, both ratings are more than adequate, but if you're into water sports or extremely dusty environments, the Elite 8's superior protection might matter.
Both models use different approaches to stay secure:
I've tested both during high-intensity workouts, and while both stay put, the Elite 8's ShakeGrip technology does feel more secure during activities with sudden movements like boxing or HIIT training.
The Elite 4 uses Bluetooth 5.2 and can only connect to one device at a time. The Elite 8 Gen 2 upgrades to Bluetooth 5.3 and adds multipoint connection, letting you stay connected to both your phone and laptop simultaneously - a genuine convenience for work-from-home users who switch between devices frequently.
Both support voice assistants and have customizable controls, but the Elite 8 Gen 2 adds several premium features:
If you're planning to use these for watching movies, the Elite 8 Gen 2's spatial audio and smart case make it the clear choice. The case can connect to your TV via USB-C or 3.5mm, streaming audio directly to the earbuds with minimal lag - perfect for late-night viewing without disturbing others.
Elite 4 Active offers everything you needBoth work well as everyday earbuds, but the Elite 8's multipoint connection and better call quality make it more versatile for work and commuting.
The Elite 4 Active represents exceptional value, offering core features that most users need at almost half the price of the Elite 8. The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 justifies its higher price through meaningful upgrades in every category, but many users won't need these improvements.
Ask yourself these questions:
If you answered "no" to most of these, save money with the Elite 4 Active. If you answered "yes" to two or more, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2's premium features will likely be worth the investment.
Remember, both models receive regular firmware updates that can improve performance over time, though the Elite 8's newer hardware provides more room for future enhancements.
The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget - but either way, you're getting a capable set of sport earbuds that will serve you well during workouts and beyond.
Jabra Elite 4 Active ($119.99) |
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($229) |
|---|---|
| Water/Dust Rating - Determines durability for intense workouts and outdoor use | |
| IP57 (good for sweat and rain) | IP68 (complete protection, suitable for swimming) |
| Battery Life - Critical for long training sessions | |
| 7 hrs (28 total with case) | 8 hrs ANC on, 14 hrs off (up to 56 hrs with case) |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for gym environment and outdoor running | |
| Standard ANC (handles consistent noise well) | Adaptive Hybrid ANC (2x stronger, adjusts automatically) |
| Microphones - Affects call quality and noise cancellation effectiveness | |
| 4 mics (good for casual calls) | 6 mics (superior call clarity, worth it for frequent calls) |
| Connectivity - Important for switching between devices | |
| Bluetooth 5.2, single device connection | Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connection (worth it for work) |
| Special Features - Added value considerations | |
| Basic companion app controls | Smart case with audio transmitter, spatial audio, ShakeGrip |
| Fit Security - Critical for high-intensity workouts | |
| Standard ergonomic design | ShakeGrip technology (noticeably more secure for intense movement) |
| Fast Charging - Helpful for last-minute workouts | |
| 10 min charge = 1 hr playback | 5 min charge = 1 hr playback |
| Sound Quality - Overall listening experience | |
| Clear, balanced sound with aptX | Enhanced with Dolby Audio, spatial sound (worth it for media) |
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ($229) is significantly better for movies due to its Dolby Audio support and spatial sound features. Its smart case can also connect directly to your TV, making it ideal for late-night viewing. The Elite 4 Active ($119.99) lacks these home theater features.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 features adaptive noise cancellation that's twice as powerful as the Elite 4 Active's standard ANC. This means better isolation during movies and better blocking of ambient home sounds.
Only the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 supports multipoint connection, allowing simultaneous connection to your TV and phone. The Elite 4 Active can only connect to one device at a time.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers up to 14 hours without ANC (8 with ANC), while the Elite 4 Active provides 7 hours. For binge-watching, the Elite 8's longer battery life is advantageous.
Yes, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 offers notably better sound quality with Dolby Audio support and spatial audio features. The Elite 4 Active has good but basic stereo sound.
For basic use, the Elite 4 Active offers excellent value at $119.99. However, if home theater use is important, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2's additional features justify its higher price.
Both models work for this, but the Elite 8 Active Gen 2's smart case with direct TV connection and better noise isolation makes it superior for this use case.
Both models handle video sync well, but the Elite 8 Active Gen 2's smart case provides a more optimized connection for minimal latency.
Both support voice assistants, but the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 has better microphones for more reliable voice commands. The Elite 4 Active still works adequately for basic commands.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2's smart case can connect directly to receivers via USB-C or 3.5mm. The Elite 4 Active requires a Bluetooth connection to your source device.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 clearly wins with its spatial audio and Dolby Audio support, providing a more immersive surround sound experience compared to the Elite 4 Active's standard stereo.
While both are primarily designed for active use, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 competes well with dedicated home theater headphones due to its spatial audio features. The Elite 4 Active is more suited as a general-purpose earbud.
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 - tomsguide.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - runnersworld.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com
