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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize top-notch noise isolation and use during air travel, along with a premium build, the Apple Airpods Max with their active noise cancelling and good comfort would suit you, but they're more expensive and bulkier, which affects portability. In contrast, the Jabra Elite 4 offers very good call quality and is sweatproof and dustproof, making them a better fit for exercise and outdoor activities, at a more affordable price. While both have very good overall sound quality, if gaming or watching TV is important, consider that neither is optimized for low latency, which can impact synchronization. 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 Max
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.6
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.6
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Jabra Elite 4 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
10.0
7.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Jabra Elite 4 is good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.4
The Apple Airpods Max and Jabra Elite 4 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
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 Max is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Jabra Elite 4 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 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 | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 4.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Jabra Elite 4
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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 Max 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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
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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