When it comes to wireless earbuds in 2024, the choices can feel overwhelming. Today we're comparing the budget-friendly Jabra Elite 4 Active ($69.99) with the premium Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) to help you make the right choice for your needs and budget.
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 background noise), advanced audio processing, and smart features that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago.
The key things that matter to most users haven't changed though: sound quality, comfort, battery life, and value for money. Let's dive into how these two models stack up in 2024.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active represents the sweet spot for value, offering core features without breaking the bank. Released in late 2023, they brought welcome improvements to Jabra's mid-range lineup, particularly in sound quality and noise cancellation.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro, launched in early 2024, sits firmly in premium territory. They showcase Samsung's latest audio tech and AI features, which we'll explore in detail.
The sound profile here is surprisingly good for the price point. While it doesn't support high-resolution audio formats, the basic SBC and AAC codecs (these are like languages that your device and earbuds use to talk to each other) handle music playback well. The sound signature is balanced, with clear vocals and decent bass response. It won't blow audiophiles away, but for daily listening and workouts, it's more than adequate.
Here's where paying more gets you more. The dual-driver system (separate speakers for high and low frequencies) delivers noticeably better sound quality. Support for high-resolution audio codecs means you can stream better quality audio, though you'll need a compatible device and high-quality music source to benefit. The 24-bit audio support is especially nice for home theater use, providing clearer dialogue and more impactful sound effects when watching movies.
The difference in ANC technology is significant between these models. The Jabra offers basic noise cancellation that handles steady sounds like air conditioning or train noise reasonably well. It's good enough for most situations but can struggle with variable noise like street traffic or coffee shop chatter.
The Samsung buds take things to another level with adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts based on your environment. In my testing, they rivaled high-end models from Sony and Bose, particularly with low-frequency noise cancellation. For frequent travelers or office workers, this difference alone might justify the higher price.
The Jabra keeps things simple but functional. You get:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro packs in considerably more:
Both models offer similar battery life with ANC enabled:
The Samsung buds support wireless charging, while the Jabra requires USB-C charging. Both offer quick charging features - about an hour of playback from a 10-minute charge.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active excels at staying put during workouts, thanks to their compact design and good seal. They're light and comfortable for long sessions, though some users might find the deep ear canal fit takes getting used to.
The Samsung buds feature a more traditional design with stems (like AirPods Pro). They're generally comfortable but might need occasional adjustment during intense activity. The advantage is easier access to touch controls.
Both models feature IP57 water resistance ratings, meaning they can handle sweat, rain, and even brief submersion. This is particularly impressive for the Samsung buds, as premium models often sacrifice some durability for features.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is perfect for:
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro makes sense for:
While the price difference is substantial, both models deliver good value in their respective categories. The Jabra punches above its weight in core features, while the Samsung justifies its premium price with cutting-edge technology and superior performance.
Remember that the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. If you're mainly using earbuds for workouts and casual listening, the Jabra offers tremendous value. If you want the best possible sound quality and advanced features, the Samsung is worth the investment.
In my testing, both models performed reliably for their intended use cases. The Jabra surprised me with its solid connection stability and good call quality - areas where budget models often struggle. The Samsung impressed with its noise cancellation and sound quality, particularly when watching movies with spatial audio enabled.
The wireless earbud market in 2024 offers something for everyone. The Jabra Elite 4 Active proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get good performance, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro shows what's possible when price isn't a primary constraint.
Choose based on your priorities and budget, remembering that both models offer good value in their respective price brackets. The key is matching features to your specific needs rather than assuming more expensive always means better for your situation.
| Jabra Elite 4 Active ($69.99) | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for commuting and office work | |
| Basic ANC, handles constant noise only | Advanced adaptive ANC, excellent for variable environments |
| Sound Quality - Core feature impacting daily enjoyment | |
| Good balanced sound, basic codec support | Dual drivers, high-res codec support, noticeably better detail |
| Battery Life - Determines how often you need to charge | |
| 7 hours (28 with case) | 5.2 hours (20 with case) |
| Water/Dust Protection - Important for durability and workout use | |
| IP57 rated | IP57 rated |
| Smart Features - Convenience and functionality beyond basic audio | |
| Basic controls and voice assistant | AI features, real-time translation, 360° audio, spatial audio |
| Device Ecosystem - Affects available features and ease of use | |
| Works well with any device | Best features require Samsung devices |
| Charging Options - Convenience factor | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and wireless charging |
| Fit Security - Critical for exercise use | |
| Excellent grip, stays put during workouts | Good fit but may need adjustment during intense activity |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| 4-mic system, adequate clarity | Advanced mic array, superior voice pickup |
| Price Value Proposition - Return on investment | |
| Excellent value for core features | Premium price but justified if using advanced features |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) is significantly better for movies due to its 360° audio and spatial audio features. While the Jabra Elite 4 Active ($69.99) works fine for basic movie watching, it lacks the immersive sound experience that makes the Samsung ideal for home theater use.
If you're a Samsung user or prioritize movie watching, yes. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers superior sound quality, better noise cancellation, and advanced features that justify the higher price. However, if you mainly need earbuds for music and workouts, the Jabra Elite 4 Active provides excellent value.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers better battery life with 7 hours per charge (28 with case) compared to the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro at 5.2 hours (20 with case).
Both work with iPhones, but the Jabra Elite 4 Active maintains full functionality across all devices. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro loses some premium features when not paired with Samsung devices.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is better for exercise due to its more secure fit and dedicated sports design, though both have the same IP57 water resistance rating.
While both work for gaming, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro has lower latency and better spatial audio, making it the superior choice for gaming scenarios.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to your environment, while the Jabra Elite 4 Active has basic ANC that works best with constant background noise.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro has superior call quality with better voice pickup and noise reduction, though the Jabra Elite 4 Active is still adequate for regular calls.
Only the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro supports wireless charging. The Jabra Elite 4 Active requires USB-C charging.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is better for TV viewing due to its spatial audio and superior sound quality, making it ideal for late-night home theater use.
Both can connect to Bluetooth-enabled TVs and receivers, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better audio processing and surround sound features for home theater use.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro delivers superior sound quality with dual drivers and high-res codec support, while the Jabra Elite 4 Active offers good but basic sound quality suitable for casual listening.
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 - head-fi.org - soundguys.com - yankodesign.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - phonearena.com - cdw.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - cnet.com - samsung.com
