True Wireless
Jabra Elite 8 Active
78Great
$163
Full review dataJabra Elite 8 Active vs Sony WF-1000XM4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM4 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 84. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM4 - Great overall at around $199.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value7.5
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sound8.5
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery7.5
Calls7.0
Value7.5
Specifications
| Spec | Jabra Elite 8 Active | Sony WF-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $163 | $199 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 84 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2023 | 2021 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 6 mm |
| Driver size | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 118 dB/mW | - |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | - | 10 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 14 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 56 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | feedforward | adaptive |
| Transparency mode | Yes | - |
| Companion app | Yes | - |
| Custom EQ | Yes | - |
| Wear detection | No | - |
| Controls | touch | - |
| Voice assistant | voice assistant support | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 10 g | 41.1 g |
| Case weight | 46.4 g | 41 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 6 | - |
What reviewers said
Jabra Elite 8 Active
The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds are built for rugged use, with top-tier IP68 dust and water resistance and a long-lasting battery that can stretch to 56 hours with the charging case. They feature adaptive noise cancellation, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and a compact 6mm driver, making them a solid choice for active lifestyles. The fit is secure, and the controls are touch-based, supported by a companion app for custom EQ and other tweaks.
- Pro:Excellent IP68 durability for workouts and outdoor use
- Pro:Long battery life, with 14 hours per charge and 56 with the case
- Pro:Adaptive ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
- Con:Only supports AAC and aptX Voice codecs, no high-res audio options
- Con:Battery life drops to 8 hours with ANC enabled
- Con:Small 6mm driver may lack bass impact for some listeners
Sony WF-1000XM4
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are high-end true wireless earbuds that excel in active noise cancellation and sound quality, with a compact 6mm driver and support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They provide about 8 hours of playback per charge, extendable to 24 hours with the case, and include handy features like multipoint connectivity and quick charging. Their IPX4 rating makes them suitable for workouts, though the overall design is a bit bulky for some ears.
- Pro:Excellent active noise cancellation
- Pro:Rich, detailed sound with LDAC support
- Pro:Good battery life with fast charging
- Con:Bulkier fit compared to rivals
- Con:No wireless charging on the case
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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