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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If your priority is seamless integration with Apple devices and strong portability, go for the Apple Airpods (2nd generation), especially if lower cost is important. They have adaptive sound features and work well for calls and listening to music or podcasts, but they are less suitable for exercise due to being not sweatproof. The Jabra Elite 4, on the other hand, offers better build quality, superior mic performance, active noise cancelling, and is both sweatproof and dustproof, making it more versatile for different environments including exercise. They also have an app equalizer for sound customization, but are slightly more expensive. Both have good overall sound quality, but if you value noise isolation and customizable sound, the Jabra Elite 4 is the better choice. If you're in the Apple ecosystem and prefer ease of use and portability, then the Airpods may suit you better. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Jabra Elite 4.
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
6.6
The Jabra Elite 4 is only fair for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
5.4
The Jabra Elite 4 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both poor for gaming, though the Jabra Elite 4 is somewhat better.
Phone Calls
6.9
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Jabra Elite 4 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
5.4
6.0
The Jabra Elite 4 is only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Jabra Elite 4 is good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Jabra Elite 4 has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 4.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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Jabra Elite 4
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SoundGuys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"The Jabra Elite 4 is a good midrange option with solid isolation and aptX codec for Android. It sounds consumer friendly from the box and the app has some EQ to adjust to taste. Some included luxuries include multipoint, sidetone, and Spotify Tap"
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Jabra Elite 4
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Jabra
Jabra is a subsidiary of GN Store Nord, a 150-year-old Danish company that specializes in the manufacturing of hearing aids, headsets and earphones. Jabra has a focus on fit and comfort and quality control over everything else. According to Peter Karstromer, Jabras CEO, they “design and engineer technology that frees people to work, live and communicate how and where they want to, equipping them with the tools to live their life to a new rhythm”.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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