Jabra Elite 4 Active vs Jabra Elite 7 Active: Which is Better?
By Linus T.
Updated Oct 2022
The Jabra Elite 4 Active & Jabra Elite 7 Active are both great wireless earbuds designed for tough workouts and everyday use.
They are IP57-rated for their dust, water & sweat proof properties to go the extra mile with you. They both feature Active Noise Cancellation to block out the world when you exercise & an Adjustable HearThrough to let you listen to your surroundings when you need to be aware.
Colour-wise, you are able to get them both in 3 designs — Black, Navy & Mint, leaving you spoilt for choice. The buds seem almost identical to each other, so what makes them different?
Let’s compare the Jabra Elite 4 Active vs Jabra Elite 7 Active in our review.
On our list
#1 Pricing
#2 Sound & Performance
#3 Design & Fit
#4 Battery & Power
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Jabra's active earbuds
The great combination of sports fit and active-noise cancellation.
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Mighty but heavy duty
The ultimate earbuds that work hard while you work out.
1. Pricing
Jabra Elite 4 Active
First and foremost, the Jabra Elite 7 Active is generally more expensive than the Jabra Elite 4 Active.
Depending on the season and promotion, the price difference between the buds ranges from as little as $20 all the way up to $80. That is a huge range and can make all the difference when deciding between the two models.
2. Sound & Performance
Jabra Elite 7 Active
When it comes to earbuds, sound & performance probably matter the most. The Jabra Elite 7 Active & Elite 4 Active are both great earbuds for everyday use and even better for those who also work out.
While both models feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as mentioned above, they actually work a little differently in each model. The ANC found in the Jabra Elite 7 Active is fully adjustable while you can only turn it either ‘Off’ or ‘On’ in the Elite 4 Active. The adjustable nature of the ANC lets you modify how much background noise you hear by manually changing the noise cancellation levels in the Jabra Sound+ app. This gives you more freedom to personalise your sound and to suit the environment you’re in.
Additionally, the Jabra Elite 7 Active generally performs better when it comes to calling. This stems from a difference in microphone specs, where you get a total of 6 microphones in the Jabra Elite 7 Active versus the 4 found in the Jabra Elite 4 Active. Having more microphones makes a difference in call clarity for both parties, so if you take calls often, you might want to opt for Jabra Elite 7 Active.
Both earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. However, only in the Jabra Elite 7 Active, you will also get Bluetooth Multipoint. This is a multi-device pairing feature that lets you sync up to two devices with the earbuds, generally a computer and a mobile device at the same time. This is great for those who do a ton of calling and need to swap between devices seamlessly.
Another small difference that may not be a huge concern for most is Codec Support. Though both earbuds provide support for the SBC codec, the Jabra Elite 7 Active also offers the AAC codec while the Jabra Elite 4 Active offers the Qualcomm aptX codec instead. This is an interesting demarcation as the AAC codec generally works better for Apple users while the Qualcomm® aptX™ benefits Android users more with an enhanced Bluetooth sound quality.
3. Design & Fit
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Both Jabra Elite 7 Active & Jabra Elite 4 Active are designed with great grip to stay in your ears regardless of the workout. They are lightweight and fit comfortably in your ears so that you can focus on what you’re doing.
The core distinction between the two models when it comes to fit is Jabra’s unique ShakeGrip™ technology found in the Elite 7 Active. This is a special coating made out of a Liquid Silicone Rubber compound. What you get is an earbud texture that feels remarkably soft while also providing the ultimate grip that securely fits in your ear. They are perfect for long periods of active use without fearing it dropping out during the toughest workouts.
4. Battery & Power
Jabra Elite 7 Active
On the surface, the battery life of the Jabra Elite 7 Active & Jabra Elite 4 Active isn’t that starkly different. You get a good amount of playback in both earbuds and multiple charges with the charging case, easily taking care of your commute for the entire week.
But when it boils down to the details, there are some minor differences. The Jabra Elite 7 Active offers up to 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and as much as 30 hours with the charging case. In the Jabra Elite 7 Active, it is 7 hours and 28 hours respectively.
When it comes to charging speeds, it takes 2.5 hours to get a full charge in the Jabra Elite 7 Active, while it takes 3 hours in the Jabra Elite 4 Active. Another thing to note is their fast charge speeds, which might come in handy for last-minute battery needs. The Jabra Elite 7 Active takes 5 minutes to charge in the charging case to get up to 1 hour of playback, whereas for the same outcome, it will take the Jabra Elite 4 Active 10 minutes. It’s a small difference but in times of need, every minute counts.
You also get wireless charging in the Jabra Elite 7 Active and not in the Elite 4 Active.
Though these may be small differences between the two models, they do quickly add up when it comes to day-to-day use and you’ll definitely get more out of the Jabra Elite 7 Active in the longer run.
Compare Jabra Elite 4 Active vs Jabra Elite 7 Active
Final Thoughts
In our Jabra Elite 7 Active vs Jabra Elite 4 Active review, it is obvious that the Elite 7 Active stands out with better specs and more features, which makes sense as it is also more expensive.
When it comes to choosing between the two models, the biggest dealbreaker here is probably the price difference. Due to varying promotions and seasonality, the difference in price changes often.
If you’re only paying a small difference, it is only sensible to go with the Jabra Elite 7 Active. But as that difference increases to up to $80 dollars, you might be better off sticking with the Jabra Elite 4 Active, which is still a great option for all that it has to offer in the sports earbuds category.
If you like to read more on Jabra wireless earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Jabra Elite 7 Pro vs Jabra Elite 75t
Jabra Elite 7 Pro vs Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 5 vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Explore the full collection for Jabra on Amazon.com or visit the Official Jabra Singapore Store.
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