Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Elite 4 Active
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 4 Active are both great wireless earbuds for people with active lifestyles who want to enjoy their music while working out. However, both have some differences that set them apart from each other.
As the newer model, the Elite 8 Active has more to offer, but it comes with a higher price tag. So, is the more affordable Elite 4 Active good enough for your workout needs? Let's compare the two models side by side and find out.
| Specs | Jabra Elite 8 Active | Jabra Elite 4 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $199.99 | $119.99 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | No |
| Microphones | 6 | 4 |
| Speaker Size | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Spatial Sound | Yes, Dolby Audio | No |
| ANC | Yes, Adaptive Hybrid | Yes, Standard |
| HearThrough | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant Enabled | Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant |
| Listening Time | Up to 8 hours | Up to 7 hours |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP57 |
| ShakeGrip | Yes | No |
Key Takeaways
Elite 8 Active has a higher IP68 rating for better water and dust resistance compared to Elite 4 Active's IP57 rating. It also cancels out noise 1.6x better than Elite 4 Active. Another advantage it has over the Elite 4 Active is Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows you to connect to two devices at once.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The Toughest Earbuds
✓ ShakeGrip technology
✓ IP68 Rating
✓ Adaptive Hybrid ANC
✓ Spatial Sound
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Everyday Sports Buds
✓ Secure Fit
✓ IP57 Rating
✓ Standard ANC
✓ HearThrough
#1 Price
Jabra Elite 8 Active
As the latest addition to the Jabra Elite Active lineup, the Elite 8 Active is more expensive at $199.99. On the other hand, the Elite 4 Active is cheaper at $119.99, making it a more budget-friendly option.
#2 Design & Durability
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Elite 4 Active has an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, but Elite 8 Active offers an ever better durability with a higher IP68 rating. An IP68 is the maximum rating a device can get, allowing it to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes, making the Elite 8 Active perfectly suitable for risky water sports and activities.
The Elite 4 Active is also made with a secure active fit, designed to stay in your ears while you work out. The design is also ergonomic and wing-free, making it comfortable to wear. However, the Elite 8 Active beats this secure placement and comfort with its ShakeGrip technology. With a Liquid Silicone Rubber compound covering a large area of the earbuds, the Elite 4 Active securely stays in your ears even during the most intense workouts, while still being comfortable to wear for extended periods.
Another difference between the two models is the color options. The Elite 8 Active comes in black, caramel, gray, and navy blue. Meanwhile, the Elite 4 Active is available in black, mint, and navy blue.
#3 Sound & Performance
Jabra Elite 8 Active
In terms of sound and performance, the Elite 8 Active delivers a higher-quality sound compared to the Elite 4 Active. Both have 6 mm speakers, but the Elite 8 Active features 6 microphones that are placed carefully to capture your voice with high clarity. The Elite 4 Active, on the other hand, only features 4 microphones.
The Elite 8 Active also has an advantage with its Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which filters out unwanted background noise to allow you to fully immerse yourself in your music and your workout. This technology is 1.6x stronger than the standard ANC featured in the Elite 4 Active.
Jabra Elite 4 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active also has additional features unavailable in the Elite 4 Active, including Dolby Audio Spatial Sound, which creates an immersive 3D audio experience that makes you feel like you're in the middle of the music. Soundscape is also available in the Jabra Sound+ app, allowing you to listen to nature sounds and ambiances like rain or waterfall.
However, both wireless earbuds also share some features in common, such as HearThrough. This feature allows you to set the level of external sound you want to hear in your earbuds, making it easy to stay aware of your surroundings while you work out. Both also feature Spotify Tap for easy access to your favorite music in Spotify, and Customizable Music EQ in the Sound+ app to fine-tune your music listening experience according to your personal preferences.
#4 Battery Life
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The Elite 8 Active boasts a longer battery life compared to the Elite 4 Active, with up to 8 hours of listening time with ANC on or 14 hours with ANC off. With the charging case, you can get a total playback time of 32 hours with the ANC on or 56 hours with the ANC off.
The Elite 4 Active, on the other hand, only allows for up to 7 hours of continuous playback and a total of up to 28 hours with the case.
Charging both models takes around 3 hours for a full charge. In Elite 8 Active, you can get 1 hour of playback with 5 minutes of fast charging, while in Elite 4 Active, you can get 1 hour of playback with 10 minutes of fast charging.
#5 Connectivity
Jabra Elite 4 Active
In terms of connectivity, the Elite 8 Active has many advantages over the Elite 4 Active. It supports a newer Bluetooth 5.3 version and is Bluetooth LE-ready, making it more future-proof. It also supports Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows you to connect 2 devices simultaneously to the earbuds, making it easy to switch between your phone and your laptop quickly. The Elite 8 Active also has Smartwatch Connectivity, so you can connect the earbuds to your smartwatch and leave your phone behind during your workouts.
On the other hand, the Elite 4 Active only supports Bluetooth 5.2 and doesn't come with many features that the Elite 8 Active has to offer. However, it has an edge with its Alexa Built-In and compatibility with Siri and Google Assistant. The Elite 8 Active doesn't have Alexa built-in and only supports Siri and Google Assistant for hands-free voice commands.
Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Elite 4 Active
Final Thoughts
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Both Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 4 Active are great wireless earbuds for workouts and active lifestyles. Jabra Elite 8 Active has more features and capabilities that make it a more premium and durable earbuds, but it also comes with a higher price tag. The Elite 4 Active, on the other hand, is more affordable but sacrifices some sophisticated features. Ultimately, the decision between the two models will come down to your budget and preferences.
If you like to read more about Wireless Earbuds, check out our other relevant guides here:
Jabra Elite 10 vs Elite 8 Active
Jabra Elite 10 vs Jabra Elite 7 Pro
Jabra Elite 10 vs Jabra Elite 5
Jabra Elite 10 vs Jabra Elite 85t
Jabra Elite 10 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Jabra Elite 10 vs AirPods Pro 2
Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Elite 7 Active
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