When it comes to true wireless earbuds in 2024, we're spoiled for choice. Today, I'll help you decide between two popular contenders: the Jabra Elite 8 Active ($199) and the JBL Tour Pro+ ($199). Both launched in late 2023, representing the latest in wireless earbud technology, but they take different approaches to serving their users.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since Apple disrupted it with AirPods in 2016. Today's premium earbuds need to excel across multiple areas: sound quality, noise cancellation, battery life, and durability. They also need to handle calls well and offer convenient features like wireless charging and ambient sound modes (which let you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds).
What's particularly interesting about 2023-2024 models is how they've addressed previous pain points. Connection stability is much better, battery life has improved significantly, and noise cancellation has become more sophisticated. Both the Jabra Elite 8 Active and JBL Tour Pro+ reflect these improvements, but they prioritize different features.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active delivers a more balanced, neutral sound profile out of the box. This means you'll hear music more or less as it was intended to be mixed, without extra bass or treble emphasis. In my testing, this worked particularly well for genres like classical, jazz, and acoustic music.
The JBL Tour Pro+, true to JBL's heritage, offers a more bass-forward sound. This doesn't mean it's bass-heavy in a bad way - the low frequencies are enhanced but still controlled. If you enjoy hip-hop, EDM, or modern pop, you might prefer this sound signature. The JBL app also offers more extensive EQ (equalizer) controls, letting you fine-tune the sound to your preferences.
For noise cancellation, both earbuds use what's called "hybrid ANC" (Active Noise Cancellation), which means they use both internal and external microphones to cancel noise. However, Jabra's implementation is more effective at handling wind noise and variable environments. This is particularly noticeable during outdoor activities or commuting.
Here's where we see the biggest difference between these models. The Jabra Elite 8 Active features an IP68 rating, which means it's completely dustproof and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. This is currently the highest protection rating available for mainstream wireless earbuds.
The JBL Tour Pro+ carries an IPX5 rating, which means it can handle sweat and light rain but isn't dustproof and shouldn't be submerged. For most users, this level of protection is adequate, but if you're planning to use these for intense workouts or outdoor activities, the Jabra's superior protection offers more peace of mind.
Both models have improved on their predecessors in terms of battery life, but Jabra takes the lead here:
Both support wireless charging and quick charging features, but the Jabra's longer battery life makes it more suitable for long trips or situations where you can't easily charge the case.
Both earbuds support AAC and SBC codecs, but neither includes aptX, which might disappoint some Android users looking for the highest quality wireless audio. However, they both offer low-latency modes for gaming or watching videos.
For home theater use, the Jabra Elite 8 Active has a slight edge thanks to its smart case, which can connect directly to devices via USB-C or 3.5mm. This means you can use it with any TV or audio system, even ones without Bluetooth. The JBL doesn't offer this feature, though both work well with Bluetooth-enabled TVs.
Having tested both models extensively, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both perform well, but the Jabra's better noise cancellation and longer battery life make it more suitable for long trips.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active has better call quality and wind noise reduction, making it the better choice for professional use.
The Jabra is clearly superior here, with better water resistance and a more secure fit thanks to its ShakeGrip technology.
Both work well, but the Jabra's smart case gives it more flexibility for connecting to different devices.
Since their release, both models have received firmware updates addressing initial connectivity issues and adding features. The Jabra Elite 8 Active received an update improving its spatial audio capabilities, while the JBL Tour Pro+ got enhanced touch control customization.
Choose the Jabra Elite 8 Active if:
Choose the JBL Tour Pro+ if:
At $199, both models are competitively priced in the premium earbud market. The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers better overall value thanks to its superior durability and battery life, while the JBL Tour Pro+ appeals more to audio enthusiasts who prioritize sound customization.
After extensive testing, the Jabra Elite 8 Active emerges as the more versatile and reliable choice for most users. Its combination of durability, battery life, and balanced performance makes it an excellent all-rounder. However, the JBL Tour Pro+ remains a strong contender, especially for users who prioritize sound customization and prefer a bass-forward signature.
Remember, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. Both models represent significant improvements over their predecessors and offer good value for their price point.
| Jabra Elite 8 Active | JBL Tour Pro+ |
|---|---|
| Water/Dust Rating - Determines where and how you can use them | |
| IP68 (fully waterproof & dustproof) | IPX5 (splash resistant only) |
| Battery Life with ANC - Critical for long listening sessions | |
| 8-9 hours (32 total with case) | 6-8 hours (24 total with case) |
| Driver Size - Affects sound quality and bass response | |
| 6mm drivers (balanced sound) | 6.8mm drivers (stronger bass) |
| Sound Profile - Determines the default listening experience | |
| Neutral, accurate sound signature | Bass-forward, more dynamic |
| EQ Customization - Importance depends on if you like to tune sound | |
| Basic EQ presets | Advanced EQ with multiple custom options |
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting or office use | |
| Adaptive hybrid ANC with wind reduction | Standard hybrid ANC, less effective in wind |
| Extra Features - Can significantly impact versatility | |
| Smart case with direct audio input, Dolby Audio | More extensive touch controls, better voice assistant |
| Fit Security - Important for workouts and active use | |
| ShakeGrip™ technology, very secure | Standard silicone tips, can loosen during activity |
| Call Quality - Critical if you take lots of calls | |
| 6-mic system, excellent clarity | 3-mic system, average performance |
| Price - Overall value proposition | |
| $199 (better value for active users) | $199 (better value for audio enthusiasts) |
The Jabra Elite 8 Active has an advantage for home theater use thanks to its smart case that can connect directly to TVs via USB-C or 3.5mm cable. The JBL Tour Pro+ works well with Bluetooth-enabled TVs but lacks direct connectivity options.
Both earbuds offer low-latency modes for gaming, but the Jabra Elite 8 Active has more reliable connectivity and better battery life. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers slightly better positional audio.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active offers 8-9 hours with ANC on (32 hours total with case), while the JBL Tour Pro+ provides 6-8 hours (24 hours total with case).
Yes, both the Jabra Elite 8 Active and JBL Tour Pro+ support wireless charging through their cases.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active has superior adaptive noise cancellation, making it better for focused TV viewing. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers good but less advanced noise cancellation.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active can connect to any TV using its smart case with USB-C or 3.5mm connections. The JBL Tour Pro+ requires Bluetooth connectivity.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more bass-heavy sound preferred by some for movies, while the Jabra Elite 8 Active provides more balanced, neutral audio that's accurate to the source.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active has superior call quality with its 6-mic system, making it better for gaming chat. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers adequate but less impressive voice performance.
The JBL Tour Pro+ features more extensive and customizable touch controls, while the Jabra Elite 8 Active offers simpler but more reliable controls.
Both support spatial audio, but the Jabra Elite 8 Active has Dolby Audio support for better virtual surround sound. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers good but less sophisticated spatial audio.
The Jabra Elite 8 Active is significantly more durable with IP68 water/dust protection, compared to the JBL Tour Pro+ with IPX5 rating.
At $199 each, the Jabra Elite 8 Active offers better value for home theater use due to its connectivity options and Dolby Audio support. The JBL Tour Pro+ is better suited for music-focused users who prefer customizable sound.
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: techradar.com - soundguys.com - bestbuy.com - rtings.com - youtube.com - soundguys.com - rtings.com - runnersworld.com - target.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - digitaltrends.com - harmanaudio.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - tomsguide.com - jbl.com - bestbuy.com - seriousinsights.net - mm.jbl.com - support.jbl.com - bigapplebuddy.com
