You might not be familiar with them, but Jabra’s earbuds have proven capable of beating the likes of Apple, Bose and Samsung — and often for lower prices. The excellent (and sadly discontinued) Jabra Elite Active 75t enjoyed a long reign on our?best wireless earbuds?rankings and even?got us to ditch our AirPods Pro?for a while. And now that Jabra’s earbuds run the gamut from the affordable Elite 3 to the higher-end Elite 10, there’s something for everyone in the lineup.
That said, picking the right pair of Jabra earbuds has gotten a little trickier as the lineup has grown. Several of the company’s newest creations have been well-received, earning spots on amongst our best budget earbuds and best workout headphones rankings.
Wondering which model is for you? We’ve tested all of Jabra’s current buds extensively and are ready to make that decision easy for you. Whether you want quality sound for cheap or you’re willing to invest in something built to last from the gym to the office, here are the best Jabra earbuds to buy now.
Editor’s Note: Jabra has officially announced the end of its consumer earbud business. However, the company claims that “products will still be supported throughout their lifetime,” which makes now the perfect time to grab a pair (or several) while supplies last.
Jabra’s final flagship buds package plenty of smart features, strong noise cancellation and versatile sound into a chic design.
Jabra's latest workout buds feature upgraded durability and a smart case that can be easily connected to anything with a headphone jack (including your treadmill).
Best Jabra Earbuds overall: Jabra Elite 10 (Gen 2)
The Elite 10 (Gen 2) aren’t just a tremendous send off for Jabra’s true wireless division – they’re arguably the brand’s best wireless buds to date. Everything from build quality to sound architecture is on point, undercutting many luxury models at their current sale price.
Frequency response is terrific with deep bass that gives contemporary tracks more punch. The adjustable EQ and multiple presets in the Sound+ app let you easily tweak different sound characteristics. LE Audio boosts streaming quality with minimal latency. Then there’s Spatial Sound, Jabra’s 3D audio format powered by Dolby Atmos for immersive listening. It emphasizes instruments and vocals surprisingly well and exhibits precise head detection. Improvements to headtracking for accurate sound placement, and the addition of a smart case that streams audio to the buds when wired to an audio source, are greatly appreciated.
The Elite 10 (Gen 2) hold their own against the most acclaimed noise-cancelling buds out there. Jabra updated its ANC technology to be two times stronger than the previous version. We tested it in numerous real-world noise conditions and were impressed by how well they suppressed unwanted sounds. All low and mid-frequency sounds went unnoticed, while a handful of high frequencies (e.g., a crying baby, whistles) entered the soundscape but weren’t distracting. HearThrough continues to make its case for best ambient listening mode, pulling in noises and vocals more clearly than Apple and Sony’s top buds.
The glossy multifunctional button, suede-like exterior and teardrop shape are nice touches that give the Elite 10 a distinctive and swanky appearance. IP54 certification (dustproof/waterproof) makes these some of the most durable noise-cancelling buds out there. Jabra’s wireless charging case is just as attractive and holds up to 36 hours of playtime.
Call quality could be better, but for that to be the buds’ only significant flaw says a lot about their quality, which is outstanding.
The Elite 10 are Jabra’s best buds to date. Everything from build quality to sound architecture is on point, undercutting many luxury models at their current sale price.
Frequency response is terrific with deep bass that gives contemporary tracks more punch. The adjustable EQ and multiple presets in the Sound+ app let you tweak different sound characteristics: lows, mids and treble. LE Audio boosts streaming quality with minimal latency. Then there’s Spatial Sound, Jabra’s 3D audio format powered by Dolby Atmos for immersive listening. It emphasizes instruments and vocals surprisingly well and exhibits precise head detection.
The Elite 10 hold their own against the most acclaimed true wireless noise-cancellers. Jabra updated its ANC technology to be two times stronger than the previous version. We tested it in numerous real-world noise conditions and were impressed by how well it suppressed unwanted sounds. All low and mid-frequency sounds went unnoticed, while a handful of high frequencies (e.g., a crying baby, whistles) entered the soundscape, but weren’t distracting. HearThrough continues to make its case for best ambient listening mode, pulling in noises and vocals more clearly than Apple and Sony’s top buds.
Craftsmanship has also been upscaled. The glossy multifunctional button, suede-like exterior and teardrop shape are nice touches that give the Elite 10 a distinctive and swanky appearance. IP54 dustproof and waterproof certification makes these some of the most durable noise-canceling buds out there. Jabra’s wireless charging case is just as attractive and holds up to 36 hours of playtime.
Call quality could be better, but for that to be the buds’ only significant flaw says a lot about their quality, which is outstanding.
Best Jabra sports earbuds: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)
While we still consider the Beats Fit Pro to be the best workout earbuds, a recent matchup against the original Elite 8 Active and a test run with the Elite 8 Active (Gen 2) prove that Jabra’s newest sports buds series is superior to any third-party rival.
Jabra’s bass-forward sound profile was ideal for adrenaline-inducing workouts, producing impactful lows that blended nicely with crisp mids and clear highs. We made sound more boomy by manually adjusting the bass levels via EQ. Spatial Sound widened the soundstage to hear percussive instruments and other rhythmic elements more clearly. The feature was also beneficial for recovery mode; instrumentals and orchestral recordings had a euphoric presence that soothes the body.
Listening with ANC on boosted bass levels, though the technology excelled most at reducing ambient noise across different frequencies. Common gym distractions such as chatty exercisers, clanking metal, squeaking shoes and music blasting from the ceiling speakers were silent. Daytime runs were peaceful, thanks to Jabra’s enhanced mic array that blocked out street noises and wind at a high level. Switching to HearThrough kept us highly aware of oncoming traffic during nightly walks.
Jabra’s gel tips formed a tight seal. However, it was the liquid silicone material wrapped around each bud that optimized comfort and fit while also preventing corrosion. IP68 certification translates to dust- and waterproof protection at up to 1.5 meters. The wireless charging case comes dust- and water-resistant (IP54) and holds 56 hours of additional playtime when fully charged. Furthermore, recent upgrades like stronger ANC and the same smart case as the Elite 10 (Gen 2) increase their value outside of exercising.
What you need to know about Jabra earbuds
Before you pick up a pair of Jabra earbuds, there are some key things to keep in mind about the entire range. The company’s buds are fairly platform agnostic — they pair well to both iPhone and Android devices via Bluetooth, with a free Sound+ app that lets you do things like adjust sound profiles or activate special features. Some Jabra earbuds — such as models in the Elite 4, Elite 8, and Elite 10 series — have Android-exclusive features (i.e., Google Fast Pair and Alexa support), but they still work very well on all types of phones. Newer releases come with Spatial Sound (aka spatial audio) that support Dolby Atmos, like the AirPods 3, ?AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2.
Virtually all Jabra buds offer a HearThrough mode, which amplifies the world around you to help you stay aware of your surroundings (think Transparency mode on Beats Fit Pro or AirPods Pro).
And save for the Elite 3, almost all of Jabra’s recent earbuds have active noise cancellation (ANC), which we’ve found to be very reliable for blocking out unwanted noise when working or out on a walk. Jabra earbuds also generally excel at calls, with all entries holding up well during phone chats and work meetings.
If you do plan on buying a set of Jabra earbuds, we recommend doing so soone than later. The company is unfortunately winding down its consumer audio line, which includes all of the Elite models we’ve tested here and the brand’s work-focused Talk series. In an email, the company says that its latest buds — the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and Elite 10 Gen 2 — will continue to be sold “through 2024 and beyond.” The good news is that we expect this wind-down to lead to some serious clearance prices; the bad news is that many of these great earbud models will likely be hard to find soon.
Jabra vs. the competition
The true wireless market belonged to Jabra when they launched the universally acclaimed Elite 65t and Elite Active 75t several years back. Since then, competitors like Apple, Bose, and Sony have all stepped up their efforts. The best-selling AirPods Pro 2 have well-rounded performance, highlighted by dynamic sound, strong ANC, and unique features that tie into Apple’s ecosystem. Newer rivals like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds deliver the best true wireless noise cancellation and spatial audio. Another suitable adversary is the Sony WF-1000XM5, which blend class-leading sonics and elite noise reduction into a gorgeous design. The latest models in Jabra’s Elite collection give all of them a run for their money.
Other Jabra earbuds to consider
The original Jabra Elite 10 deliver strong active noise cancellation, spatial audio and lots of useful features within an attractive design.
The original Elite 10 are remarkable buds worth owning if you don’t mind certain exclusions present in the second-gen version (including better ANC and a smart case). Noise cancellation, sound and special features are top tier. Spatial audio is convincing for 3D audio lovers. Call quality is a downgrade, and the price tag is still too high for a product that’s essentially being phased out. However, it’s smart to keep the Elite 10 (Gen 1) on your radar once they drop in price, which we predict will happen soon.
The original Jabra Elite 7 Pro were once our pick for the company's best buds, only bested by the upgraded second-gen model.
Jabra’s previous crown holder comes with the same benefits as the other buds on this list and are especially ideal for calls. Technologies like “MultiSensor Voice” use four microphones and a custom sensor to eliminate unwanted background noise (such as wind), while picking up vocals as clearly as possible. We’ve found this to translate well in everyday use. And during voice recording tests, they did a better job separating our voice from background noise compared to Jabra’s cheaper buds, even if they weren’t quite as crisp as competitors like the Galaxy Buds Pro. ANC and ambient listening can be adjusted between 5 levels for full control over how much noises is blocked out or let in. A rated runtime of 8 hours means nonstop listening during commutes. Despite their high (but oft-discounted) retail price of $199, they hold up well against luxury models like the $249 AirPods Pro, especially when it comes to sound quality and features.
If you want a durable, long-lasting pair of workout buds that work equally well on iOS and Android, the Elite 8 Active are a great choice.
Folks looking to save some cash can pick up the first-gen Elite 8 Active, which were our previous No. 1 pick for best workout buds. Performance is practically identical across all key areas, including audio, battery life, noise cancellation and sturdiness (IP68-rated buds and IP54-rated case). Spatial audio is acceptable, though it could have benefited from Dolby Head Tracking. The absence of Advanced ANC support also means these buds offer less powerful noise neutralization than the Elite 10 models.
Designed for working from home (or the office), these buds are optimized for most video conferencing apps and can easily switch between two devices.
The Connect 5T are basically the business-ready version of the Elite 5 and outperform both the AirPods Pro 2 and QC Ultra Earbuds in call quality. Jabra’s stellar six-mic array produces crystal-clear sound on both ends with minimal background interference, plus it performs exceptionally well for voice assistance from Google Assistant and Siri. Multipoint technology provides solid connectivity between two devices at the same time. These buds also share the audio specs as the Elite 5, but sound slightly better, and come with signature features like ANC and EQ. A chic wireless charger completes the package.
Jabra's budget buds retain some of our favorite features from higher-end models for a good price.
Jabra earbuds haven’t historically been the cheapest, but the Elite 3 buck that trend with an $50 price tag that frequently drops below that during sales. These buds provide very good sound quality, a superb fit with multiple ear tips and around nine continuous hours of battery life — that’s some of the best we’ve tested on any pair of buds. You even get the same HearThrough mode found on Jabra’s more expensive models for amplifying the outside world when you need to stay alert — it’s perfect for when you’re walking through a city or at the airport. Some trade-offs you’ll deal with are the cheap plastic case and diminished bass performance compared to other Jabra buds. ANC is also missing, something you’ll find on most other brand entries, as well as the brilliant EarFun Air Pro 4. But there are few earbuds at this price that offer the high quality performance the Jabra Elite 3 do.
The Jabra Evolve 2 stand out from the pack with a USB adapter for instant and stable connectivity with your computer.
The Evolve 2 Buds have first-rate mic clarity for unbeatable digital assistance and voice/video calling. Jabra’s four-mic MEMS array captures every syllable and voice command with precision, while also keeping background noise to a minimum. The bundled USB adapter strengthens connectivity on desktops and laptops when jumping on Google Meet, Microsoft Teams or Zoom calls. ANC isn’t the greatest when in listening mode, and the MSRP is steep compared to the more attainable Connect 5T, but you’re still looking at some of the finest work-ready buds available.
Fitness enthusiasts will lean towards the sportier Elite 4 Active, but the Elite 4 are the greater value and superior-sounding model. Frequencies are better balanced, so you can hear every detail of your favorite songs while enjoying rich bass. Expect fantastic call quality. ANC is satisfying for the price and silences many street noises from cars to construction tools to pedestrians. Jabra’s feature suite is available in the Sound+ app too. Battery life is decent at 7 hours per charge (5 hours with ANC on), but the charging case holds an additional 21 hours to extend playtimes on the go.
The Jabra Elite 5 offer hybrid active noise cancellation and promise up to 28 hours of battery life.
The Elite 5 is an acceptable, but also unnecessary, sequel to the Elite 4 that promises similar audio performance and personalization. Jabra’s warm soundstage can be tweaked in the Sound+ app for greater sonic output. The design stays true to the current series aesthetic, which is balanced between professional and workout via IP55 certification for dust, sweat and water resistance. Unfortunately, ANC and digital assistance are disappointing, and the lack of signature features make other Jabra models more enticing.
