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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you own Apple devices and value seamless integration, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) would work well, offering spatial audio and lower latency for a smooth experience, though they have limited noise isolation and aren't suitable for high-noise environments. For Android users or those looking for earbuds with active noise cancellation, longer battery life, and dust and sweat resistance at a lower cost, the Jabra Elite 4 would be a more practical choice, despite potentially less optimized integration with Apple products. Both offer good sound quality for music and calls, so your decision should be based on device compatibility, desired features, and budget. 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 (3rd generation)
- Good for music
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
Key differences
Music
7.1
6.6
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.6
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
7.0
The Jabra Elite 4 is good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Cost
$179
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $179 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.4
5.4
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Jabra Elite 4 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
TV and Video
5.5
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Jabra Elite 4 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Jabra Elite 4 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$179 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 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 | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 4.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Jabra Elite 4
See more
Dig into reviews and images
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 (3rd 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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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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