We judge all headphones and earbuds on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we think are most important: sound, comfort, design, battery performance, and, if applicable, special features. Here's how the Jabra Elite 4 Active wireless earbuds stack up.
If you’re in the market for an affordable pair of wireless earbuds that don’t skimp on comfort or essential features like noise cancellation and reliable battery life, look no further than the Elite 4 Active true wireless earbuds. Priced modestly at just $120, these wireless earbuds are one of Jabra’s most affordable offerings to date.
Jabra Jabra Elite 4 Active Wireless Earbuds
Jabra Jabra Elite 4 Active Wireless Earbuds
Whether I’m working out, listening to music on my morning commute, or on a conference call for work, Jabra earbuds have been my go-to’s for years — making me particularly excited to check out their latest release. Here’s everything you need to know about the design and the everyday performance of the Elite 4 Active.
SCORES
• Sound: 8/10
• Comfort: 9/10
• Design: 9/10
• Battery Performance: 8/10
• Overall Score: 9/10
Jabra Elite 4 Active at a Glance
- Customizable sound and reliable noise cancellation
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
- Water- and dust-resistant with IP57 rating
SOUND: 8/10
Since Jabra has a great reputation for delivering high-quality sound, I had high expectations for the Elite 4 Active wireless earbuds — and they did not disappoint. A standout feature is the option to fine-tune the sound to your liking, and, in my opinion, is a feature that's worth your investment. If you don’t feel like manually fiddling with a graphic equalizer in the Jabra Sound+ app, you can boost the bass, the treble, or enhance the speech in a podcast or an audiobook, among other options, with a tap on your phone’s screen.
The noise cancellation of the Elite 4 Active is as impressive as their sound quality, allowing them to compete with noise-canceling earbuds that cost more. The product successfully turned down the never-ending traffic rumble from underneath my 4th-floor Manhattan apartment window during weeks of testing. You can disable the noise cancellation and activate a HearThrough mode to keep you aware of your surroundings by pressing a button on the left earbud.
Compared to Jabra’s more affordable Elite 3 earphones, the Elite 4 Active earbuds delivered a more balanced sound than the Elite 3 out of the box, making them a better option not just for the quiet bliss they can bring but also for an audio performance that can compete with pricier rivals. Upon more research and a close inspection of both products, I noticed that the Elite 4 Active earbuds have integrated air vents for relieving ear pressure. In addition to bringing next-level comfort, the handy feature is why the earbuds won’t produce an excessive bass rumble like the Elite 3.
Like the Jabra Elite 3, the Elite 4 Active earbuds have a snug fit and a perfect in-ear seal to block ambient sounds efficiently. Depending on the space you are in, you might not need to activate the earphones’ noise-canceling tech. I found myself deactivating the latter on a few occasions without losing focus.
Since most Jabra products are reliable for excellent call quality, it came as no surprise that the Elite 4 Active earbuds continued this trend. I successfully relied on the Elite 4 Active for weeks during indoor and outdoor calls and virtual meetings. On the other hand, the buds’ Bluetooth 5.2 is as futureproof as possible.
COMFORT: 9/10
I know there's nothing more irritating than trying to listen to music through an uncomfortable pair of earbuds, but thankfully, the Elite 4 Active earbuds are exceptionally comfy and are ideal for prolonged use. I spend most of my workdays with them on without feeling any remote sort of discomfort or fatigue. Weighing just 5 grams apiece, these earphones are among the lightest in their class and on par with the Beats Studio Buds — another industry benchmark for comfort.
Like all true wireless earbuds by Jabra, the Elite 4 Active rock convenient button controls. I enjoyed controlling the playback volume by long-pressing the left or the right earbud from the get-go — especially since other true wireless earbuds competitors require fiddling with app settings to access the must-have functionality.
Available on many of the latest wireless earbuds, Google Fast Pair tech is also on board the Jabra Elite 4. The connectivity feature makes pairing the product with an Android phone as easy as tapping on its screen. Connecting the buds to an iPhone took only a few extra seconds.
DESIGN: 9/10
Not only do these earbuds feel great, but they look great too — and you'll be hard-pressed to find a pair of earbuds that are as understated as the Jabra Elite 4. The buds’ clicky buttons are seamlessly integrated into their housings, giving them a sleeker look than the brand’s Elite 3. Jabra’s entry-level true wireless set has separate panels to accommodate its buttons.
An official IP57 rating ensures that the Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds can survive exposure to water and dust. That’s a fantastic feat for such a well-priced product. For comparison, pricier product rivals from Beats by Dre, JBL, and Sony, to name a few leading brands, are only water-resistant with a lower rating.
The above durability makes the earbuds worthy of their Active label and ideal for exercising. Given Jabra’s track record in making workout-ready earbuds, I expected nothing less.
You can grab a pair of Elite 4 Active earbuds in black, mint, or navy colors. Each option comes with a matching storage case, charging cable, and ear tips in various sizes.
BATTERY PERFORMANCE: 8/10
The 7-hour maximum battery life of the Jabra Elite 4 Active is satisfactory, especially considering the product’s onboard features and price point. Depending on your noise cancellation and volume preferences, you might need to charge the earbuds more frequently.
You’ll get three additional charges from the earbuds’ storage case. The accessory has a fast USB-C connector but no wireless charging compatibility. The last-mentioned bit is becoming increasingly common in similarly and lower-priced product rivals.
OVERALL: 9/10
The Jabra Elite 4 Active earbuds are reliable for all of your listening needs — including everything from strenuous workouts to conference calls. If you're looking for a pair of do-everything earbuds that don't sacrifice quality for price, this is one of the best worth your attention. To top things off, Jabra backs the product with a 2-year warranty against damage from water or dust.
When it comes to alternatives, the Beats Studio Buds offer superior connectivity with Apple hardware, support for more immersive spatial audio, and a slightly longer battery life for $30 more, though the product is often on sale for the same price as the Elite 4 Active. Stem-toting Soundcore earbuds like the Life P3 and the Liberty Air 2 Pro have noise cancellation and additional features like wireless charging at great price points. However, the Jabra Elite 4 Active is vastly more durable than its rivals without sacrificing comfort and performance.
Stefan is the senior technology editor for Best Products, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015. He is an award-winning editor with more than a decade of experience reporting on and reviewing consumer tech products, especially smartphones, tablets, laptops, and audio gear like headphones, earbuds, speakers, and soundbars. Stefan was previously the U.S. editor for GSMArena.com. His writing can also be found in Popular Mechanics.
