When it comes to true wireless earbuds in 2024, we're spoiled for choice. Today, I'll help you decide between two excellent options: the Jabra Elite 7 Pro ($189.99) and the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($399). Having tested both extensively, I can help you understand which might be right for your needs and budget.
Before diving into our comparison, let's understand where we are in the true wireless earbud journey. Since Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016, we've seen remarkable improvements in sound quality, battery life, and features. The Elite 7 Pro was released in late 2021, while the Pi8 is brand new for 2024, representing different generations of technology.
True wireless earbuds have become more than just music players - they're now sophisticated devices handling calls, noise cancellation, and even health tracking. Both of our contenders showcase this evolution, though they take different approaches to what matters most.
Let's start with what most people care about most: how these earbuds sound. The Pi8 takes a clear lead here, featuring 12mm carbon cone drivers (the same type used in high-end home speakers) that deliver exceptionally detailed audio. These drivers use carbon fiber, which is lighter and stiffer than traditional materials, resulting in clearer, more accurate sound reproduction.
The Elite 7 Pro uses smaller 6mm drivers but compensates with excellent tuning. While it can't match the Pi8's pure audio quality, it delivers a more consumer-friendly sound profile that works well for most popular music genres. Think of it like comparing a high-end home theater system to a really good soundbar - both sound nice, but they're aimed at different audiences.
In daily use, both earbuds excel, but in different ways:
The Elite 7 Pro's longer battery life makes it more practical for all-day use, while the Pi8's shorter battery life reflects its focus on premium audio components.
Both offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect and cancel out external noise. The Pi8's implementation is more sophisticated, particularly in quiet environments, but the Elite 7 Pro holds its own in typical situations like office noise or public transit.
Here's where the Elite 7 Pro really shines. Its MultiSensor Voice technology combines traditional microphones with a bone conduction sensor that detects jaw movement, resulting in remarkably clear calls even in windy conditions. The Pi8's call quality is good but not exceptional.
The Pi8 has a unique feature: its case can act as a wireless transmitter. Connect it to your TV or audio system, and it will stream high-quality audio to your earbuds. This is fantastic for late-night movie watching without disturbing others, though there can be slight audio lag depending on your setup.
The Elite 7 Pro has superior water resistance (IP57 vs IP54) and a more secure fit, making it better suited for workouts or running. The Pi8's premium construction is more focused on comfort during casual use.
Both earbuds offer:
The price difference between these earbuds is significant. At $189.99, the Elite 7 Pro represents excellent value for most users, offering strong all-around performance and features. The Pi8 at $399 is more specialized, justifying its premium price mainly through superior sound quality and unique features like the wireless transmitter case.
Consider these scenarios:
After extensive testing of both models, I find myself reaching for the Elite 7 Pro more often, despite the Pi8's superior sound quality. The practicality of longer battery life and better call quality simply matches my daily needs better. However, when I want to really enjoy music or watch a movie late at night, the Pi8's superior audio quality and transmitter feature make it my go-to choice.
That said, if money were no object and I could only keep one pair, I'd probably stick with the Elite 7 Pro for its versatility and practical features. The Pi8's better sound quality is noticeable but not transformative enough to justify more than double the price for my use case.
Remember, the best choice depends entirely on your specific needs and budget. Both are excellent products that showcase different priorities in earbud design - it's just a matter of matching those priorities to your own.
| Jabra Elite 7 Pro ($189.99) | Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 ($399) |
|---|---|
| Driver Size - Larger drivers typically provide fuller sound, but design matters more | |
| 6mm standard drivers | 12mm carbon cone drivers (noticeably better audio quality) |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without recharging | |
| 8 hours (buds) + 22 hours (case) = 30 hours total | 6.5 hours (buds) + 13.5 hours (case) = 20 hours total |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Important for workout use and durability | |
| IP57 (fully protected against dust, can handle submersion) | IP54 (limited dust protection, splash resistant only) |
| Noise Cancellation - Impacts listening experience in noisy environments | |
| Good ANC, better for consistent noise | Excellent ANC, better for variable environments |
| Call Quality - Critical for business users | |
| Superior with MultiSensor Voice and bone conduction | Good but basic microphone system |
| Audio Codecs - Determines maximum sound quality potential | |
| Basic (SBC, AAC) | Premium (aptX Lossless, 24-bit/96kHz capable) |
| Special Features - Can provide unique use cases | |
| MySound audio personalization | Wireless retransmission case for TV/audio devices |
| Fit and Comfort - Affects long-term wearability | |
| Compact, secure fit for all activities | Larger but comfortable, less secure for exercise |
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is superior for home theater use, thanks to its wireless retransmission case that connects directly to your TV or audio system. The Jabra Elite 7 Pro lacks this feature, making it less ideal for movie watching.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro costs $189.99, while the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is priced at $399, making it more than twice as expensive.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro offers superior battery life with 30 total hours (8 hours per charge plus 22 from the case) compared to the Pi8's 20 total hours (6.5 hours per charge plus 13.5 from case).
The Pi8 features special low-latency technology through its retransmission case, minimizing audio lag. The Elite 7 Pro may experience more noticeable lag when watching TV via standard Bluetooth.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 delivers superior sound quality with its 12mm carbon drivers and advanced audio codecs. The Elite 7 Pro offers good but not exceptional audio quality.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro is better suited for exercise with its IP57 water resistance and secure fit. The Pi8 is less ideal with only IP54 rating and looser fit.
The Elite 7 Pro excels at call quality with its MultiSensor Voice technology and bone conduction sensors. The Pi8 offers good but basic call performance.
Both the Elite 7 Pro and Pi8 support multipoint Bluetooth connections, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices.
The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 offers more sophisticated noise cancellation, particularly in quiet environments. The Elite 7 Pro provides good noise cancellation for typical daily use.
The Pi8 is specifically designed for TV use with its retransmission case. The Elite 7 Pro can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth but may experience lag.
The Jabra Elite 7 Pro lasts longer with 8 hours per charge versus the Pi8's 6.5 hours.
The Elite 7 Pro offers better value for general use at $189.99. The Pi8 at $399 is worth it primarily for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who'll use its advanced features.
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: nextpit.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - soyacincau.com - soundguys.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - headsetadvisor.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - techradar.com - thetechnovore.com - youtube.com - youtube.com - audioadvice.com - audioholics.com - avnirvana.com - bowerswilkins.com - audioholics.com - digitaltrends.com
