When it comes to true wireless earbuds, there's never been more choice - or more confusion. Today, we're comparing two popular options: the $100 Jabra Elite 4 Active and the $60 JBL Tune Flex. Both hit the market within months of each other (the JBL in September 2022 and the Jabra in April 2023), but they take different approaches to personal audio.
True wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's models pack impressive tech into tiny packages - we're talking active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out environmental noise), advanced Bluetooth codecs (the software that compresses and transmits audio), and smart features that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
What matters most hasn't changed though: sound quality, comfort, and reliability still reign supreme. Let's dig into how these two earbuds stack up in these crucial areas.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active takes a more neutral approach to sound, which means it tries to reproduce music exactly as it was recorded. This works great for podcasts, audiobooks, and vocal-heavy music. The sound signature is clear and detailed, though some users might find it lacks the excitement of more bass-heavy options.
In contrast, the JBL Tune Flex leans into what many everyday listeners want - punchy bass and energetic sound. JBL's "Pure Bass" technology really makes hip-hop and electronic music shine. If you're someone who likes to feel their music, the JBL might be more your speed.
I've tested both extensively with different genres, and here's what I've found:
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become a must-have feature, and both earbuds include it. However, there's a clear winner here. The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers notably better noise cancellation, especially for mid-range frequencies like office chatter and crowd noise. It's not quite at the level of premium options like Sony's WF-1000XM4, but it's impressive for the price.
The JBL's noise cancellation is more basic - it'll help with consistent background noise, but don't expect it to silence your commute completely. Both offer transparency modes (which let you hear your surroundings through the earbuds), but Jabra's implementation sounds more natural.
Here's where things get interesting:
Jabra Elite 4 Active:
JBL Tune Flex:
Both offer enough battery life for most users, but the Jabra edges ahead slightly. In real-world use, I've found both easily last through a full workday.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active lives up to its "Active" name with an IP57 rating, meaning it's protected against dust and can survive being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. That's impressive for earbuds in this price range.
The JBL Tune Flex carries an IPX4 rating, which means it can handle sweat and light rain, but isn't dust-protected and can't be submerged. For most users, this is probably sufficient, but serious athletes should lean toward the Jabra.
Both earbuds support the latest Bluetooth 5.2 standard, which means better connection stability and lower power consumption compared to older models. The Jabra supports Google Fast Pair for Android devices, while both work seamlessly with iOS devices.
The Jabra Sound+ app offers more customization options, including:
JBL's app is more basic but includes:
Surprisingly, the JBL Tune Flex takes the lead here with lower latency (the delay between video and audio). This makes them better for mobile gaming or watching videos. The Jabra has slightly higher latency, though most users won't notice during casual use.
While neither is specifically designed for home theater use, both can work well with modern TVs that support Bluetooth audio. The JBL's stronger bass response might give movies more impact, but the Jabra's clearer midrange helps with dialogue. Just be aware that Bluetooth can introduce slight audio delay in this setup.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is clearly designed with exercise in mind. The secure fit and superior water resistance make it the better choice for workouts. The JBL's aren't bad for exercise, but they're more suited to casual use.
At $60, the JBL Tune Flex offers remarkable value for casual users. You get solid sound quality, basic ANC, and decent battery life - everything most people need from wireless earbuds.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active justifies its higher $100 price tag with better build quality, superior noise cancellation, and more features. It's a better value for active users or those who need better call quality.
Here's a simple guide to help you choose:
Choose the Jabra Elite 4 Active if:
Choose the JBL Tune Flex if:
Both the Jabra Elite 4 Active and JBL Tune Flex represent good value in their respective price brackets. The Jabra is the more capable device overall, but the JBL offers impressive performance for its lower price point.
Technology in this space continues to evolve rapidly, but both these models hold up well in 2024. They offer features that were premium just a few years ago at increasingly accessible price points. While neither matches the absolute best wireless earbuds on the market, they both deliver where it counts for most users.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Consider how you'll primarily use them, and choose accordingly. Both manufacturers have good track records for firmware updates and support, so either choice should serve you well for years to come.
| Jabra Elite 4 Active ($100) | JBL Tune Flex ($60) |
|---|---|
| Water/Dust Rating - Critical for durability and workout use | |
| IP57 (fully dust/waterproof) | IPX4 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life - Important for daily convenience | |
| 7 hrs (28 total with case) | 6 hrs (24 total with case) |
| Noise Cancellation Performance - Key for commuting and office use | |
| Strong ANC, especially for voices | Basic ANC, struggles with low frequencies |
| Sound Signature - Affects enjoyment of different music types | |
| Neutral, accurate sound (better for vocals) | Bass-boosted (better for pop/hip-hop) |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Excellent, 4-mic array with wind reduction | Good, but less clear in noisy environments |
| Gaming Latency - Crucial for mobile gaming | |
| Average latency (not ideal for gaming) | Low latency mode (good for gaming) |
| Companion App Features - Affects customization | |
| Full EQ, button customization, find my earbuds | Basic EQ presets, limited customization |
| Fast Charging - Helpful for quick top-ups | |
| 1 hour playback from 10min charge | 2 hours playback from 10min charge |
| Fit Security - Important for exercise | |
| Very secure, stays in place during workouts | Good for casual use, may shift during exercise |
| Value Proposition - Overall worth for money | |
| Higher price justified for active users/calls | Excellent value for casual listening/gaming |
For home theater use, the JBL Tune Flex ($60) has better bass response which enhances movie explosions and action scenes. However, the Jabra Elite 4 Active ($100) offers clearer dialogue. Neither has multi-device pairing, so you'll need to manually switch between your TV and phone.
Both can work with modern TVs that support Bluetooth audio. The JBL Tune Flex has slightly lower latency, meaning less audio delay when watching videos. However, for the best TV experience, dedicated home theater headphones would be better as they use special low-latency wireless technologies.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers 7 hours of playback with ANC on (28 hours total with case), while the JBL Tune Flex provides 6 hours (24 hours total with case). For long movie sessions, both will easily last through multiple films.
The JBL Tune Flex is better for gaming thanks to its dedicated low-latency mode. The Jabra Elite 4 Active has higher latency which could cause noticeable audio delay during gameplay.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active has notably better noise cancellation, especially for voices and mid-range frequencies. The JBL Tune Flex offers basic ANC that helps with constant background noise but isn't as effective.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active has an IP57 rating (fully waterproof and dustproof), while the JBL Tune Flex is IPX4 (splash resistant only).
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers more neutral, accurate sound better for vocal clarity. The JBL Tune Flex has enhanced bass that many users prefer for music and movies.
Both work well for calls, but the Jabra Elite 4 Active has superior call quality with better wind noise reduction and clearer voice pickup. The JBL Tune Flex is adequate for casual calls but struggles more in noisy environments.
They'll work with any TV that supports Bluetooth audio output. However, older TVs without Bluetooth will need an additional Bluetooth transmitter adapter.
Both are comfortable, but the JBL Tune Flex is slightly lighter and more comfortable for extended wear. The Jabra has a more secure fit that some users might find more noticeable during long sessions.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active at $100 justifies its higher price with better build quality, water resistance, and noise cancellation. The JBL Tune Flex at $60 offers excellent value if you don't need these premium features.
For pure home theater use, the JBL Tune Flex offers better value with its stronger bass response and lower latency. However, if you'll also use them for workouts or calls, the Jabra Elite 4 Active's versatility might be worth the extra cost.
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 - rtings.com - jbl.com - nfm.com - bestbuy.com - audio46.com - store.utah.edu - harmanaudio.com - mm.jbl.com - youtube.com - gzhls.at - bestbuy.com - jbl.com - mm.jbl.com
