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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and noise isolation for focused listening in quieter environments, the Etymotic ER4XR offers excellent noise isolation and overall good sound. However, if you need versatility, such as for calls and meetings, or use during exercise, and appreciate modern features like wireless connectivity and sweatproof certification, the Jabra Elite 4 would be more suitable. The Jabra Elite 4 also supports a customizable app and has both a longer battery life and a case that extends its use, making it a practical choice for everyday use and travel. Keep in mind that if you require a wired connection, the Etymotic is the one that includes a cable. 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 Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Jabra Elite 4
- Very good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.0
6.6
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Gaming
6.2
5.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Jabra Elite 4 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.7
8.8
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.3
8.6
The Jabra Elite 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
7.4
6.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Jabra Elite 4 is only fair.
Noise Reduction
9.1
7.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Jabra Elite 4 is good.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery. The Jabra Elite 4 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$234
$100
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Etymotic ER4XR has a price of $234 and the Jabra Elite 4 costs $100.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Etymotic ER4XR and Jabra Elite 4 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Etymotic ER4XR and the Jabra Elite 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Etymotic ER4XR | Jabra Elite 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$234 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Etymotic | Jabra | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | June 1, 2016 | April 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.8/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 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 | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
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 Etymotic ER4XR or the Jabra Elite 4
About Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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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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