Jabra Elite 8 Active

Absolutely perfect for it’s intended use! In fact, the best I’ve ever found. But…

I’ve been a Jabra fan for a few years. First, Elite 75T and then 85T. No earbud is awesome at everything but 85T was the best overall pic for features important to me. One big exception, exercise.

I’ve been on a hunt for the best budget earbuds for when active and after a long journey, all roads brought me back home to Jabra. I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on something I wouldn’t use all day long. I was simply looking for something that would stay well in my ears, have a good sound and loud volume. But then the Cyber Monday happened so I couldn’t resist going slightly over budget. And I’m so freaking glad!

Elite 8 Actives go in ear with ease and just stay in! They don’t feel big or tight in the ear yet they seal super well and require a nice pull to come out. I don’t know precisely how Jabra accomplished this but I don’t care, all I know is that it’s flawless for me! The volume goes up quite high as long as Spacial Audio is not on. I am not an audiophile but I find the sound of these fantastic! I use the Energize EQ setting as my favorite for 90% of what I listen to. Call quality has been great for callers on the other end. ANC is pretty good.

So why 4 stars instead of 5…
Mostly due to the app downgrade. With a newer product, one could hope that you would get what used to be, plus some upgrades. But instead, now it’s less…

1. With 85Ts, the Sound+ app has the MySound feature. It’s where both ears can get tested individually for which frequencies they may or not be able to hear. And the app adjusts them for each ear accordingly. Incredible feature for some of us who may have slight hearing issues with one or both ears. Blows my mind that Jabra would take that away on both 8 Active and Elite 10. It made such a huge difference for me.

2. When on a call, I am no longer able to toggle between ANC/Hearthrough/Off modes by pressing the button on the left earbud. Not sure why Jabra would assume that I would automatically want ANC when on a call ugh… Just can’t fathom why that decision was made for both Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.

3. No more Sound modes. Unlike 85T, the app does not offer 3 fully customizable modes for Elite 8 Active and Elite10. It’s a bummer.

All this being said… Elite 8 Actives deliver exactly as described and promoted by Jabra. My complaints are strictly based on what I was previously accustomed to and should not be relevant to anyone considering a Jabra product for the first time. If you are looking for a solid set of comfortable earbuds that stay well in ears, offer awesome sound, battery life and call quality as well as pretty good ANC, I’m quite confident that you will love the Jabra Elite 8 Active especially if you’re someone who is very active. Oh and of course, actual buttons rather than fidgety, hypersensitive touch controls? Yeah, it’s awesome…. Enjoy!

I’ve been a Jabra fan for a few years ever since I got the Jabra 75t elite. I was absolutely floored with the sound on the 75t elites, so naturally I was extremely excited to receive these.

Right off the bat, the packaging was pretty mediocre. The Jabra 75t elites cost me $60 when I bought them new and they came in a much nicer box, whereas the presentation with the Elite 8 was pretty lackluster. Upon taking the headphones out and feeling them in my hand and ear, I was impressed with the weight and the feel of them. They definitely feel premium and look it too.

I’m a bit of an audiophile, so the absolute most important thing to me is sound. The sound out of the box for the Elite 8 were terrible. They sounded like a complete downgrade from the 75t elite and much quieter too. I was shocked how bad it sounded. With some tweaking and firmware updates, I found the sound to be a side-grade from the 75t’s, which is pretty underwhelming. You’d expect $200 headphones to have INCREDIBLE sound, but these were just okay. The lows (bass) were pretty blown out and weak, while the high’s were incredibly strong and almost scratchy. They don’t sound natural and the dolby sound does not sound good AT ALL.

I’m not knocking the use of dolby in these headphones, it’s fine if they want to implement the technology, but the actual audio filter that is applied with dolby is bad in most cases, not just with these headphones. It’s more of a gimmick and it sounds equally bad on my ASUS g14 laptop too. It completely changes songs and distorts sounds altering them far from the atmosphere that was originally intended with what the artists had in mind. It just sounds terrible, thankfully you can turn off the dolby sound in the app with 1 single tap.

The design of the case on the Elite 8’s is a joke, I actually thought it was funny how annoying they made it over the 75t. You have to purposely have the case resting upside down in order to charge it or laying down in case you also want to open the case to get your headphones at the same time. I’m not sure what they were thinking when they made the case…

In terms of battery life, I’m kind of appalled, hopefully it gets better with time, but it went from 100% to 65% in 1.5 hours of use with hear-through off. That’s WAY worse than my 75ts. I’m not sure if mine are defective, but so far my impressions are pretty bad of this product.

I still give this a 4/5 because the sound is still above average compared to most other headphones, but the price range is hilariously bad. I’d recommend buying 75ts refurbished for $40 over buying these new for $200. The biggest positive is these headphones do survive A LOT according to the tests I’ve seen on youtube, so these are perfect for heavy exercise sessions or if you sweat like crazy. Either way, I’d recommend getting a cheaper Jabra product or waiting until these go on sale.

Let’s start with the good. The sound quality was ok/good. Nothing crazy but good. The build quality seems good( great on paper).
The bad. The noise cancelling is bad.
My rant. I bought these earbuds for 2 reasons. Great ANC and IP68 rating. I use these for work. I work outside. So I need great ANC and I need great water/sweat/dust resistance. I thought I got the full package with these. The ANC is just bad. When you active the ANC it works very well. Until there’s an specific noise at an specific frequency and then the earbuds ANC decides to amplify that sound and pass it through. I thought that this was maybe a situation where I got a lemon. So I order another pair. Same thing happened. 400 dollars in earbuds and I can’t even use them to mow my yard. What i mean. If i use my big comercial mower no problem. If i use my sthil trimmer no problem. But if i use my walk behind mower and my echo trimmer. Those the noise cancelling cant handle? It cant cancel the noise made by a specific piece of equipment. Im sure it is the adaptive hybrid ANC technology. Always trying to make things more complicated than necesary. We want good anc, good transparency mode, good call quality and a good ip rating. My old work earbuds were pretty good for the most part. (Jaybird vista 2) But the anc wasn’t amazing. They let some noises in. But nothing like the jabra elite 8 active where all the sudden the ANC stops and then everything gets louder than if you had the ANC off. And caches you off guard and your ears hurt. Not cool.

Having been a devoted user of the Jabra Elite 75t for the past three years, I recently decided to upgrade to the Jabra Elite 8 Active, and the experience has been nothing short of extraordinary. These true wireless earbuds are tailored for the active lifestyle, offer advanced features, enhanced durability, and an immersive audio experience. The earbuds exude a premium feel. The case, slightly redesigned from the 75t, is compact yet sturdy. The initial setup is intuitive thanks to seamless Bluetooth connection to my phone, and the Jabra Sound+ app adds a layer of customization that further highlights my excitement.

The earbuds themselves boast a robust construction, signaling an upgrade from their predecessor. The military-grade durability, evidenced by the MIL-STD-810H certification, and the impressive IP68 water and dust resistance make them a formidable companion for various environments. The case, while retaining a pocket-friendly size, now features wireless charging—a convenient addition for those who prioritize efficiency. The best feature of the Jabra Elite 8 Active is undoubtedly its upgraded Active Noise Cancellation. Testing them in various scenarios, the ANC performed exceptionally well. Whether I was immersed in music on a crowded subway or biking against the wind, the reduction in external noise was noticeable. It’s a significant leap from the 75t, making these earbuds a strong contender in the noise-cancellation arena. Jabra has consistently delivered impressive audio quality, and the Elite 8 Active continues this tradition. The Dolby Atmos support contributes to an immersive soundstage. The Jabra Sound+ app further enhances the experience, allowing for personalized sound adjustments through its equalizer settings. The highs are crisp, the mids are clear, and the bass has a satisfying depth, creating an audio profile that caters to a diverse range of preferences.

The Elite 8 Active excels in practical functionality. The phone call quality, even during high-speed activities like biking, is remarkable. The earbuds stay securely in place, with the redesigned ear gels contributing to a comfortable fit. However, there is a minor caveat: during intense workouts, there’s a sporadic sensation of the earbuds slipping, though they rarely fall out. The only drawback is the interaction with Google Assistant, where using it disables volume adjustment unless the phone is unlocked. It’s a minor inconvenience, but one that could be addressed in future updates.

In conclusion, the Jabra Elite 8 Active excels in delivering a comprehensive audio package tailored for the active enthusiasts. The outstanding ANC, impressive phone call quality, and superior music experience make them a top-tier choice in the wireless earbuds market. In a market saturated with Airpods, the Jabra Elite 8 Active stands out as a hidden gem. Their durability, superior sound quality, and functionality make them a competitive alternative. The ability to brave outdoor elements and consistently deliver premium audio experience positions them as a worthwhile investment.

*** TL;DR ***
The Jabra Elite 8 Active seamlessly integrates durability, superior sound quality, and advanced features, making them an ideal choice for those with an active lifestyle. While there are minor drawbacks, the overall performance and immersive audio experience position these earbuds as a premium investment. Solid 5 stars product, highly recommended!

+++ Pros +++
1) Exceptional Active Noise Cancellation.
2) Outstanding phone call quality, even at high speeds.
3) Superior music quality, customizable through the Jabra Sound+ app.
4) Waterproof (IP68) and durable design for outdoor activities.
5) Military-grade durability with MIL-STD-810H certification.
6) Sleek and premium look.
7) Wireless charging capability.

— Cons —
1) Volume adjustment issues when using Google Assistant.
2) Occasional sensation of earbuds slipping during intense activities.

So, I recently got my hands on the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds, and let me tell you, they claim to be the world’s toughest earbuds, and they sure do live up to that title. But there’s a lot more to these earbuds than just their ruggedness.

Design & Build:

The Elite 8 Active earbuds come with some impressive credentials. They boast IP68 and IP54 ratings for water and dust resistance, and they even hold a military standard 810h certification. That means they can handle a variety of challenging environments, including low temperatures.
One noticeable change is the redesigned case and buds. The case has a unique shape with a rounded bottom and a flat top, which can sometimes make it a bit unstable on a table. However, it’s still pocketable, and the LED indicator keeps you informed about battery life.
The earbuds retain their comfortable rounded silicone tips, providing a snug fit. What’s great is that they also feature physical buttons for controlling music, ANC, and voice assistant activation.
In terms of battery life, Jabra advertises 8 hours with ANC and 24 hours from the case. But guess what? They exceeded those claims during my testing, delivering a solid 10 hours of playback.

Comfort & Fit:

These earbuds are designed with active lifestyles in mind. The rubberized material around the buds not only adds comfort but also ensures they stay securely in place. Unlike some competitors, Jabra opted for a minimalistic design without additional wingtips or hooks.
During extended use, these earbuds remained comfortable, and you can even sleep with them due to their size. The only downside is that Jabra provides three tip sizes in the box, while some brands offer a minimum of four, so finding the right fit is crucial for optimal noise cancellation. But personally for me, the fit of these wins over apple AirPods.
However, I did notice that the noise isolation, while effective, can create a slight occlusion effect, making external sounds seem more dramatic.

Active Noise Cancelling:

These performed exceptionally well in terms of ANC. It effectively cancels out a wide range of frequencies, earning it top-tier status in noise cancellation performance.
The transparency mode, or “Hear-Through,” allows you to hear ambient sounds while keeping the earbuds on. You can even adjust the level of ambient noise through the app. The ease of toggling between ANC and transparency modes using physical buttons adds flexibility to adapt to various environments.

Phone Calls:

The earbuds microphones excel in reducing background noise during calls, making them ideal for noisy environments. However, there can be a slight delay as the noise suppression algorithm adapts to the surroundings. Speaking softly might result in a muffled voice, so the clarity of your caller’s voice plays a significant role.
The dedicated mute button is a handy feature, and it even syncs with Microsoft Teams, making these earbuds suitable for conference calls. There are additional calling features, like automatic answering and muting when you remove a bud and adjustable side-tone to hear your own voice.

In conclusion, these are more than just tough, they deliver an exceptional audio experience, robust ANC, and handy features for calls. They might not be the cheapest option out there, but if you’re looking for top-notch quality and durability, these earbuds are worth considering.
So, whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a traveler, or just someone who values high-quality audio and comfort, these won’t disappoint.

With the Jabra Elite 8 Active wireless earbuds, I recently had the chance to raise my audio game, and let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. Finding the ideal set of earphones that met my many needs had been a bit of a search for me because I value music as well as being active. But now that I’ve had some quality time with these earbuds, I can declare with certainty that my quest is over.

The Jabra Elite 8 Active makes a great first impression in the area of design. The earphones are packaged in a stylish, portable charging case that is convenient to carry. The case is well-made, and the magnetic lid closure works satisfactorily. Due to the variety of ear tip selections, the earbuds themselves are comfortable in my ears. Even during extended listening sessions or strenuous workouts, they are surprisingly comfy.

The audio performance of these earphones is really where they stand out. Jabra has made every effort to offer a full and well-balanced sound profile. Crisp highs, powerful mids, and gratifying lows are all features of the Elite 8 Active earbuds. These earphones provide an excellent listening experience regardless of whether you prefer the complex melodies of classical music or the deep bass of electronic music.

The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology is what most struck me. It successfully muffles distracting background noise so I can fully enjoy my music or podcasts. The HearThrough feature enables me to be aware of my surroundings while out for a run or a bike ride without taking out the headphones.

For wireless earbuds, battery life is a key factor, and the Elite 8 Active doesn’t let users down. I received an impressive 7-8 hours of playback time with ANC enabled on a single charge without ANC you will get around 14 hours and That is substantially increased by the charging case, making it appropriate for all-day use or extended journeys.

The Bluetooth connection has been steadfast. The earphones were simple to pair with my devices, and they stayed in contact with them throughout my use, even while my phone was in another room or pocket.

The IP68 classification for dust and water resistance is a blessing for someone who likes to be active. These earbuds are designed to survive sweat and even the odd sprinkle of rain. They’ve held up quite well, and I’ve used them without concern during strenuous workouts and runs.

The earbuds’ simple touch controls make it simple to manage music playback, answer calls, and change the ANC settings. Even more control is available with the Jabra Sound+ app, which lets you personalize your sound profile and change the ANC settings to suit your preferences. It’s a useful tool that improves the user experience in general.

Good call quality is crucial in a world where remote work and video calls are the norm. In this regard, the Elite 8 Active earphones shine. My voice is audible even in noisy surroundings because of the six microphone call technology.

Conclusion:
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earphones have genuinely impressed me in every way, in my opinion. They are a top pick for anyone looking for a top-notch wireless earbud experience because to their beautiful design, comfortable fit, outstanding sound quality, long battery life, and durable build. These Jabra earbuds have something to offer for every one whether your a music enthusiast, a fitness fanatic, or a working professional on the run. They have unquestionably improved my acoustic experience and improved the enjoyment of my regular activities. The Jabra Elite 8 Active is a statement of excellence in audio technology, not just a set of earbuds. highly advisable

I highly do not recommend the Elite 8s.

By no means would I consider myself an audiophile. I simply buy earbuds and primarily use them to workout, do lawn work, etc. Main purpose is using in the gym.

I have owned 65 elite, 75 elite, 7 active and now my most regrettable purchase of 2023 8 active.

Active 8 got larger. They got taller but width was smaller. Overall its larger and feels more squared. It does fit overall well. I prefer the active 7 fit by far.

The absolute worst part about these earbuds, their sound quality. I only used these 3 times now, but they are terrible. Even the noise they make when you take them from the case and put them in your ears sounds awful. The highs are not good. They tried to make it have more powerful bass and destroyed the sound quality overall and I don’t think the bass is even noticeably louder.
*Side Note- I did not touch the equalizer– maybe if I did this would fix, but I have never really been a fan of changing the equalizer settings, as the best general listening in the gym for me has been leaving it flat across the board*.

They reduced your control. The 7 active and 75 elite (eventually) you could set the ANC— overall ANC has always been pretty meh. The ANC is not terrible, I am not a fan of ANC… it does block out a good bit of louder noises, but it does not block out talking at all. I could hold a conversation with people with no problem with ANC on, this was not true for the previous 2 generations.

Hearthrough… words cannot describe how bad this feature works on the 8 actives…. it amplifies everything I could hear clearly and everything I’d actually want to hear is muffled out. At the gym I can hear every bang the plates and dumbbells make but could not hear a person standing 3 feet from me talking to me. I’d imagine if I used walking around a roadway I’d assume get similar results. I’d hear someone holding the horn down extra amplified, but would not hear their car accelerating. (Not actually tested)

I regret spending $200 on these. I’d actually struggle to justify paying $20 with the first hand experience of using these.

I do recommend using the Active 7 or 75 elites for the gym. The Active 7 are by far the best fit and the best sound. They unfortunately are lacking in the durability department. I am on my 3rd pair currently. (Would be 4th but I got lucky that pair 2- the right earbud went out, pair 3, the left earbud went out… so I could pair the 2 working together. Only 1 pair was returned on the warranty (2 months). 2nd pair missed warranty by 3 days. 3rd was still on warranty but didn’t bother (it is very annoying to do all the tests and pictures they want plus ship/wait for replacement… when I could pair the two working earbuds I had).

The 75 elites are overall the best. Little larger than the 7s. Sound quality is minimally lesser. Fit is about the same, but I’d rather have the smaller earbud. I own all 5 pairs of 75s I have bought. (Bought 3 pairs when they had a great deal on them).

The earpod worked wonderfully for about a week. Then I noticed when charging the pods, the left bud would charge, the case would charge, the right bud would only charge to 5% and sometimes not at all. I bought a pair of $25 wired earphones and am more than satisfied. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

So, I’m turning into something of a Jabra fanboy. Sit down and listen as I tell you this tale of my Jabra headphone love.

I initially, about 3 years ago now, got a pair of Jabra Elite 75t. Those bad boys lasted me for 2 years before they went out!! I was devastated, to say the least. If you dig some, you can even find my review on them. To say I love them would really undersell how much I really love them. So I did what any normal person would do. I skipped the new Jabras (the 8 IIRC) because they didn’t have an elite active version, which I needed (specifically the waterproofness because I use these outdoors frequently.) So I bought another pair of 75t. These were blue this time because they didn’t have my black ones 🙁 Those still work great 1.5 years later! I just happened to luck into these new ones and whoa boy. They are definitely an upgrade to my 75t. HUGE upgrade. The ANC is FAR superior in these. I don’t know. I have no way to actually test this, but it just seems to be far superior to my old ones. Especially when I’m out on my bike. It’s hard to explain, but with my old ones, I would get a ton more wind noise. This was with ANC on, mind you. It just washed out the music and it would force me to turn the volume up higher. With these, there is less wind noise. I don’t know how or why, but it makes the music easier to enjoy on my rides. The music itself is great as always.

OHHH One thing to add is how great the phone portion works. I was on a bike ride, going about 20mph when my friend called. I had a short conversation with him, but when I told him I was on the trails he was in disbelief. There was no wind noise or anything coming from his end and I was EASILY at 20mph for most of the call. It works great!

There are some cons though!!!! 1 is a PAINNNNN. If you use Google Assistant for your headphones, you lose the ability to adjust the volume. I think you could probably use the assistant to adjust the volume, but when you try it will only work on an unlocked phone. I can’t unlock my phone when I’m on my bike and working that cardio and I’m not interested in disabling my lock screen. That’s just not secure or worth the risk. It’s stupid honestly. So I removed the Google Assistant function from the headphones. Other than that 1 drawback, there have been zero issues.

The other is that the headphones will frequently feel like they are coming out. They don’t actually come out most of the time though. For instance, on my bike rides, I have ZERO issues. At the gym and scrunching my face while I lift though? Ya, they slide out with the sweat some. That might just be an adjustment issue as they aren’t constantly falling out, it’s just something you need to be aware of.

I know Airpods are all the rage, and I honestly don’t get why. This is a far superior product and I’ve literally never seen anyone in the wild with a pair. I don’t get it. I feel like Jabra is that hidden gem and people don’t realize how capable they are.

Jabra Elite 8 Active is a pair of earbuds that passed the rigorous US Military Standards for rugged electronics and this is not a light statement to make by Jabra. The earbuds have IP rating of IP6X, which is the maximum level of dust protection and even the case has an IP rating of IP5X. Jabra claims that bringing these buds to the beach for outdoor activities are not a problem. The buds also get an IP rating of IPX8, which means they can get submerged under water up to 1.5 meters and the case can withstand splashes of water as well. The buds were also tested against saltwater splash, too.

Why do these ratings matter? Well, people have been buying Jabra earbuds mainly for their durability. These earbuds are meant for outdoor activities. But does Jabra deliver this time with the Elite 8 Active? Yes. Not only that these earbuds are durable, they stick in the ear really well. Jabra gives you a set of different silicone tips for better fitting to your ear, however, the ones that came stock work well for me. These earbuds stick really well to my ears.

These days spatial audio is pretty much standard so these buds support Dolby Audio. However, it does not support Dolby Atmos, which is reserved for the higher-end model. In terms of other features, they’re all there. There’s ANC, which works pretty well, and also hear through that blocks out wind noise when we use the earbuds outside. The 6 microphones work well and I have used them for video conference without a problem.

The earbuds can last up to 8 hours in a single charge and the case has enough reserve power to charge the earbuds 3 times. The case also supports wireless charging, which is nice. Now on to audio performance. I won’t be very critical here because again the main selling point of these earbuds are outdoor performance and activities. First thing first, make sure that the buds are updated to the latest firmware by downloading the app to your phone. You’ll be getting improvement in terms of audio performance.

Generally speaking, audio performance is good. Audio is clear enough and the bass is very much audible and quite well pronounced. However, I would very much like it more if the mids and highs are more evenly pronounced so as to get more balanced frequency performance across the board. So, the types of music that play better in my test with these earbuds are dance and electronics, which is not surprising because these earbuds are meant for outdoor activities. Listening to Daft Punk’s track ‘One More Time’ is both enjoyable and energizing. Audio performance across all frequencies in that track make more sense and are quite typical to electronic music. Other types of music even classical music are still enjoyable to play, though they may not maximize on the sound characteristics of the earbuds, which are leaning more to the low frequencies. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, 4th Movement, was still enjoyable to hear though it is less engaging than tracks from electronic music. Separation between all instruments and vocals is not the earbuds’ strength. It’s quite clear that the earbuds’ acoustics are tuned more to give better performance for specific genres of music. Still, this is a good pair of earbuds for outdoor activities.