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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 offers aptX Adaptive and aptX LL codecs, making them suitable for high-quality audio streaming with low latency, beneficial for TV and video. They also feature active noise cancelling for quieter environments during air travel or other noisy settings. However, they are larger and pricier, making them a premium choice if your budget allows and you prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation. On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 4 is much more affordable, offers great microphone quality, a longer battery life, and is optimized for workouts with its sweatproof certification. They are a more versatile pick for daily use, such as calls and exercise but lack the advanced codecs and active noise cancelling of the PI7. Choose the PI7 for top-tier audio and noise isolation with a higher cost, or the Elite 4 for everyday use with solid performance and value. 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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7
- Very good for gaming
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.1
5.4
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for gaming, while the Jabra Elite 4 is poor.
Phone Calls
5.1
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
4.8
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is poor.
TV and Video
6.8
6.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Jabra Elite 4 are both only fair for TV and video, though the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
8.3
7.0
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 is very good for noise reduction, while the Jabra Elite 4 is good.
Battery
3.0 Hours
5.5 Hours
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has 3 hours of battery life. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$399
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has a price of $399 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Music
6.8
6.6
The Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and Jabra Elite 4 are both only fair for music.
Build Quality
8.9
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Jabra Elite 4 to have excellent build quality, while the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 has very good build quality.
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How the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Bowers and Wilkins PI7 | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$399 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Bowers and Wilkins | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | April 1, 2021 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.9/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 5.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.2/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 6.9/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 3 Hours | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.7 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 20 | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 7 Grams | 4.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Bowers and Wilkins PI7
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | April 2022
"The primary selling point of the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is the charging case that can transmit audio from any analog source to the earbuds. If you have a very specific and clear need for that feature, then the Bowers & Wilkins PI7 is for you."
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 Bowers and Wilkins PI7 or the Jabra Elite 4
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
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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