Live Science Verdict
These are the best run headphone we ’ve try . Jabra delivers a flawless tantrum which stays in the ear through dash , strength training and HIIT without any uncomfortable rigid silicone wing . The buds also sit snug in the spike , deliver better intelligent character than their already - telling predecessor , and offer solid ANC too .
good convulsion
implausibly comfortable
whole sound lineament
No vocalization controls
Not one for those on a budget
Why you could trust unrecorded ScienceOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing product and service so you could choose the best ones for you . Find out more about how we test .
We think the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are the good running game earpiece on the market . In fact , it ’s the best circle of in - pinna buds you’re able to buy for passably much any type of exercise .
A enceinte part of their appeal is the fantastic fit . Thanks to Jabra ’s ShakeGrip engineering , they stayed in place whether our writer was running 100 m sprint intervals or a sluggish and unshakable 10 km . This is even more impressive pass the absence of stiff silicone wings , which we ’ve found can have a dull aching in the ear when get into for farseeing point .
Instead , the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 was so easy it would have been easy to block you were wearing any earbuds at all , had it not been for the rich Dolby Audio - power phone .
Dubbed “ the creation ’s toughest earbuds ” , they ’re indestructible too . The brand says it has been “ tested to take on US military standard ' , with an IP68 valuation meaning sand and debris is no issue , and they can survive submersion in H2O up to 1.5 m.
Improved active racket cancellation ( ANC ) and listen - through setting , alongside the world ’s first LE Audio wise case ( which lets you plug into equipment like smart treadmills for lag - free listening ) round down out these headphones ’ impressive portfolio .
Price and release date
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 was relinquish in June 2024 , with an MSRP of $ 229.99 / £ 229.99 / AUD $ 379 . They were herald less than a year after the release of the Jabra Elite 8 Active , which was made available for $ 199.99 / £ 199.99 / AUD $ 329 in September 2023 .
There are a few improvements to support this mark - up , include enhanced spatial sound , unassailable ANC and the “ world ’s first LE Audio smart case ” .
Set-up and design
Before testing these earbuds , our writer used the Jabra Elite 7 combat-ready for all of their workout hearing demand , and they fuck them . But Jabra ’s next generation feels more premium in every way .
The cheap - feeling plastic case is replaced by a sleeker , silicone - coated one with an IP54 rating to hold out dust and splashes of urine . The buds have the same lightly textured silicone polymer coating , which help the earbuds sit around securely in the air .
The bud are even more durable than their type too , with an IP68 rating meaning they ’re protected from sand and dust , as well as submersion in water up to 1.5 m. So , they ’ll take beach workouts and rainy daylight runs in their tread .
As for the set - up , it could n’t be simple . but apply the subtle push built into either earbud and your phone will mate with it – we go from unboxing to listen in under a instant .
The only other thing to mention is the LE Audio smart casing . This has a built - in chip which allows you to secure the example into a gadget via its charge cable ( compatible with USB - C and a 3.5 mm jack ) then swarm music direct to your earbuds from there .
This prognosticate less retardation than traditional Bluetooth listening , although sporting applications are limited ( unless you plug it into the screen of one of thebest treadmill , usage motorcycle or rowing machines ) .
Controls
Jabra keep the controls simple here , which we like . Rather than being touch - sensitive or possess smart , vocalism - enabled ascendence , there is a elusive button built into the outside of either earbud . Click the left one to toggle between ANC and HearThrough , or to suffice a phone call , and click the veracious one to pause or play your medicine .
you’re able to also reduplicate tap the correct earbud to skip a song , triple tap it to go back to the late path , and have it to turn up the volume ( or hold the left over bud to turn the medicine down ) .
The positioning of the button mean they ’re prosperous to bid mid - run , but do n’t get pressed accidentally – something we ’ve find with skin senses - controlled rivals .
you could also dally with options like the HearThrough strength , music equalizer and music presets on the Jabra Sound+ app , if you ’re an audiophile wanting to all right - tune your listening experience .
Fit
The Jabra Elite 8 Active are impressive across the gameboard , but set is where they really excel .
Unlike most in - ear sports headphones , there are no silicone polymer wings which posture against your ear to keep the buds in place . Instead , they have an ergonomic fit which sits flush within the ear , and we found this sour incredibly well .
Whatever speed we were head for the hills , the earbuds were well-situated and unmoving . Even during other dynamical , high - impingement activities like burpees and box startle , they did n’t agitate .
Sound quality
Sports headphones tend to give some sound quality in favor of a inviolable fit and lasting invention – there ’s no dot have impeccable sound recording if your earbuds are going to break as soon as you set out sweating ,
But we found the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds still deliver a really gratifying listening experience which surpasses the immense absolute majority of other exercise earbuds .
This is largely down to the Gen 2 ’s enhanced spacial sound ( standardized to the concept of surround sound , providing an immersive or 3D hearing experience ) which is power by Dolby Atmos .
We found our music sounded fertile and natural , with everything from Seven Wonder by Fleetwood Mac to modern pop songs . Podcasts were clear and crisp too , if you favor this or an audiobook on your long foot race .
Jabra has also improved the ANC and HearThrough . The Jabra Elite 7 Active ’s ANC was a bit hit and miss , allowing backcloth sound to bleed in . And , while the updated stage setting still wo n’t offer the empty room - esque experience of some earbuds , we did incur it was more effectual than its forerunner . The HearThrough , too , did a good job of allow dealings noise in particular to strain our pinna . However , if you require true foil , the good bone conductivity earpiece should still be your first port of call .
Verdict
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are the full set of sport honest receiving set in - spike run headphones we ’ve test .
The burst is flawlessly well-to-do and the earbuds defy to move during sprints , intervals , farseeing runs and all other gymnasium - base body process we wore them for . The button controls are wide-eyed and effective , pairing never ask more than a distich of secondment , and the improved wakeless quality give up a truly gratifying hearing experience across all musical style , as well as podcasts and audiobooks .
Finally , the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 ’s retain the robustness that made their predecessors “ the world ’s toughest earbuds ” , with an IP68 rating mean we never had to interest about detritus , George Sand , grit , rainwater or splashes .
That ’s why , whatever exercise we ’re doing , these are the earbuds you ’ll find us wearing .
Alternatives
Shokz is the best - have a go at it name in the bone conduction earpiece secret plan and theShokz Open Runis some of the full they ’ve made . These headphone allow you to listen to medicine on the go without blocking your ears , instead , rank loudspeaker on the bone at the top of your jaw and send speech sound to your capitulum via vibration . This is utilitarian if you draw in busy areas and want to be mindful of your surroundings , or you ’re a veritable racer want to take heed to euphony while still enjoying the stimulus of the race day crowds .
We realize that $ 200 + is a lot to spend on a set of headphone . That ’s why we wanted to include theMifo O5 Plus Gen 2 Earbudsas an alternative — you could break up up a pair for less than $ 100 . The sound quality is substantial , they ’re comfortable to wear , and we were big fans of the metallic design . They offer brilliant battery life history too , offering more than 100 hours of listening when you take top - ups from the charging case into report .
The constant surveillance of mod life could worsen our brain function in ways we do n’t to the full sympathize , upset study suggest
image catch a famish Leo the Lion , contend bison and pit of vipers honored in environmental picture taking prize
Scientists clear major roadblock in mission to build sinewy AI photonic french-fried potatoes
