Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Elite 7 Active: Features, Durability, and More
By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023
Jabra Elite Active earbuds line is designed for those with an active lifestyle who want high-quality sound without sacrificing comfort or durability. The latest addition to the lineup, the Elite 8 Active, has some upgrades over the previous model, the Elite 7 Active. What are they and is it worth upgrading? Let's take a closer look and find out.
| Specs | Jabra Elite 8 Active | Jabra Elite 7 Active |
|---|---|---|
| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | |
| Price | $199.99 | $179.99 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Bluetooth Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones | 6 | 6 |
| Speaker Size | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Spatial Sound | Yes, Dolby Audio | No |
| ANC | Yes, Adaptive Hybrid | Yes, Standard |
| HearThrough | Yes | No |
| Voice Assistant Enabled | Siri, Google Assistant | Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant |
| Listening Time | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8 hours |
| IP Rating | IP68 | IP57 |
| ShakeGrip | Yes | Yes |
| Sound+ Features | Battery status, Customizable music EQ, Music EQ presets, MyControls, Soundscape | MyControls, MyFit, MySound |
Key Takeaways
Elite 8 Active is more durable against dust, water, and sweat with a higher IP68 rating compared to Elite 7 Active's IP57 rating. It also features Adaptive Hybrid ANC which is 1.6x stronger than Elite 7 Active's standard ANC in blocking out noises. However, the Elite 7 Active supports Alexa while the 8 Active doesn't.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The Toughest Earbuds
✓ ShakeGrip technology
✓ IP68 Rating
✓ Adaptive Hybrid ANC
✓ Spatial Sound
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Sports Earbuds
✓ ShakeGrip technology
✓ IP57 Rating
✓ Adjustable ANC
✓ MyControls, MyFit, MySound
#1 Price
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active, as the newer model, is priced more expensively at USD$199.99. The Elite 7 Active, the older model, is slightly more affordable at USD$179.99. The USD$20 price gap is not big but it's worth considering whether the upgrades in the Elite 8 Active are worth the extra cost.
#2 Design & Durability
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Both the Elite 8 Active and Elite 7 Active come in various color options you can choose from to match your style. The Elite 8 active comes in black, caramel, gray, and navy blue. The Elite 7 Active, on the other hand, is available in black, mint, and navy blue.
Both feature Jabra ShakeGrip technology, which uses a special Liquid Silicone Rubber compound to cover a large area of the earbuds, making them stay more securely in the ear during intense workouts. Despite its firm grip, the material is soft and comfortable to wear for long periods of time. So, no matter if you're running, cycling, or lifting weights, the earbuds will comfortably stay in place.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
One thing that gives the Elite 8 Active advantage over the Elite 7 Active is its ultra-durability. With a high rating of IP68, it offers maximum protection against dust and water, and it can submerge in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. This makes the Elite 8 Active dustproof, waterproof, and sweatproof, making it ideal for the most intense workouts in all kinds of weather conditions.
The Elite 7 Active, on the other hand, has a lower rating of IP57. This indicates a high (though not the highest) level of protection against dust and water. If you tend to work out indoors or in a less extreme environment, the Elite 7 Active may already be good enough for you.
#3 Sound & Performance
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 7 Active share some common features that make both earbuds capable of delivering high-quality sound. They have 6 mm speakers that provide lifelike sound from every direction and 6 microphones that are placed carefully to ensure crystal-clear calls and voice commands. HearThrough technology allows you to adjust the level of external sound you want to let it, so you can stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your music.
The Elite 8 Active, however, has some improvements that make it stand out from its predecessor. It features Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which is 1.6x stronger than the standard ANC technology in the Elite 7 Active. This means, the Elite 8 Active is better at blocking unwanted noises like wind or crowds, so you can focus on your music and workout.
The Elite 8 Active also offers Spatial Sound with Dolby Audio, which gives you a more immersive sound experience as if you're listening to the sound outside your head, instead of from the earbuds inside your ears. This feature is not available in the Elite 7 Active.
#4 In-App Features
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Both the Jabra Elite 8 Active and Elite 7 Active can be customized using the Jabra Sound+ app you can download on iOS and Android. However, the features supported by the app for both earbuds are slightly different.
The Elite 7 Active offers MyFit, a feature to fit test the earbuds by checking sound leakage and recommending you for an adjustment when an issue is detected. The Elite 7 Active also offers MySound, a feature that gives you a personalized sound perfectly tailored to your individual hearing profile.
The Elite 8 Active doesn't offer both features, but it comes with Soundscape, which allows you to choose from a variety of natural sounds and ambiances like waterfall noise or rain to create a relaxing atmosphere during your workout. It also allows you to take control of your music more by customizing the equalizer settings to your liking and or using the equalizer presets available.
One feature that both the Elite 8 Active and Elite 7 Active share in common is MyControls, which allows you to customize how you use your earbuds button, so you can access your favorite features with just a tap.
#5 Battery Life
Jabra Elite 7 Active
In terms of battery life, the Elite 8 Active is a better option. Both earbuds allow for up to 8 hours of listening time, but you can extend it more in the Elite 8 Active up to 14 hours with the Adaptive Hybrid ANC disabled. In the Elite 8 Active, the charging case gives a total playback of 32 hours with the ANC on or 56 hours with the ANC off. In the Elite 7 Active, the charging case can only provide a total of 30 hours of playback time.
However, both wireless earbuds come with a fast charging feature, allowing you to get up to 1 hour of power in just 5 minutes. On the other hand, full charge takes around 3 hours for the Elite 8 Active and 150 minutes for the Elite 7 Active.
#6 Connectivity
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Both the Elite 8 Active and Elite 7 Active feature Bluetooth Multipoint, allowing you to connect to 2 devices simultaneously for a seamless switch between them, such as between listening to a playlist on your laptop to answering a call on your phone.
One difference is that the Elite 8 Active supports a newer Bluetooth 5.3 version, while the Elite 7 Active supports the older Bluetooth 5.2 version. In addition, the Elite 8 Active is Bluetooth LE-ready and has Smartwatch Connectivity to be able to connect to your smartwatch and leave your phone at home.
However, the Elite 7 Active also has a slight advantage over the Elite 8 Active when it comes to voice assistant compatibility. The Elite 7 Active supports Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, while the Elite 8 Active only supports Siri and Google Assistant.
Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Elite 7 Active
Final Thoughts
Jabra Elite 7 Active
Jabra Elite 8 Active offers some important upgrades over its predecessor Elite 7 Active, including IP68 ultra-durability, 1.6x stronger Hybrid Adaptive ANC, Spatial Sound, new in-app features, longer playback time, Bluetooth-LE ready capability, and Smartwatch Connectivity. However, the Elite 8 Active loses some Alexa compatibility and some in-app features like MyFit and MySound.
The choice between the two models ultimately comes down to personal preference and needs. Consider which features are most important to you and your lifestyle.
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 4 Active
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