True Wireless
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
82Outstanding
$230
Full review dataJabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 vs JBL Live Beam 4: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the JBL Live Beam 4 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 85. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: JBL Live Beam 4 - Outstanding overall at around $240.
True Wireless
JBL Live Beam 4
85Outstanding
$240
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
JBL Live Beam 4 leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
- JBL Live Beam 4
HearWiki score
82
85
Sound
8.1
9.2
Noise cancelling
8.2
7.8
Battery
7.8
9.0
Calls
8.0
6.8
Value
7.2
8.2
Price (USD)
$230
$240
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Both shipped in 2024. The JBL Live Beam 4 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 6.0 against 5.3. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP68 against IP55.
- Elite 8 Active Gen 22024
- Live Beam 42024
What differsElite 8 Active Gen 2Live Beam 4
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.0
- Water resistance
- IP68
- IP55
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
Elite 8 Active Gen 2Live Beam 4
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $230
- $240
- HearWiki score
- 82
- 85
- Released
- 2024
- 2024
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 6 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 6 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 98 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 6.0
- Codecs
- AAC, aptX Voice, LDAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 14 h
- 12 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 10 h
- Battery incl. case
- 56 h
- -
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- 10 min → 1.5 h
- 10 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 10 g
- 9.7 g
- Case weight
- 47.5 g
- 73 g
- Water resistance
- IP68
- IP55
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 6
- 6
- Microphone type
- -
- beamforming
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
What reviewers said
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are rugged true wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a high IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. They offer a long 14-hour battery life (8 with ANC) and a total of 56 hours with the charging case, plus support for LDAC, AAC, and aptX Voice codecs. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, and a six-microphone setup, they're built for active users who need reliable connectivity and clear calls.
- Pro:Excellent IP68 water and dust resistance
- Pro:Strong battery life with case (56 hours)
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency modes
- Con:Bulky design may not fit all ears
- Con:No wireless charging case (only earbuds)
- Con:Buttons can be stiff to press
JBL Live Beam 4
The JBL Live Beam 4 are feature-packed wireless earbuds that deliver lively, well-balanced sound and a snug, secure fit, all wrapped up in a distinctive charging case with a built-in touchscreen for quick control. While they boast long battery life, adaptive noise cancellation, and multipoint connectivity, their call clarity and noise suppression aren't class-leading, and the spatial audio implementation falls short of expectations. Still, for the price, they offer a compelling mix of versatility and performance for everyday listening.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with punchy bass and clear highs
- Pro:Comfortable, secure fit for extended wear
- Pro:Innovative touchscreen case adds convenient control
- Con:Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments
- Con:Adaptive noise cancellation is not the strongest in its class
- Con:Spatial audio mode sounds artificial and lessens immersion
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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