Jabra Elite 4 Review: ANC Is the Key

Worth When Reviewed

$99.99

Greatest Costs At present: Jabra Elite 4

When desirous about wi-fi earbuds, lots of the main smartphone corporations come to thoughts first. The likes of Apple, Samsung and Google all have variations of their very own, however you shouldn’t overlook corporations that specialize in audio.  

They embody Jabra, the Danish model that’s been round for at least 4 a long time. Jabra sells a number of totally different pairs of wi-fi earbuds, however none extra inexpensive than the Elite line. 2023’s Elite 4 provides lively noise cancelling (ANC) for the primary time, however will increase the worth to simply underneath $100/£100. 

That also means they match into our funds class however has it been value it, or is your cash higher spent elsewhere? Finally, the reply to each of these questions is sure (for most individuals), however let’s discover in additional element. 

Design & Construct

• Premium bud design
• Enticing however low-cost case
• Annoying on-bud controls

In the case of design, Jabra has embraced the outdated saying: “if it ain’t broke, don’t repair it”. The Elite 4 buds and case look similar to final yr’s Elite 3, even right down to the 4 colors out there: Grey, Mild Beige, Lilac and Navy Blue. 

I examined the latter, the place the blue end may be very refined. You’ll solely be capable to inform it other than the gray model or different black buds by analyzing them up shut. However whereas I get pleasure from this minimalist aesthetic, it’s good to have a number of choices to select from.

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The horizontal pillbox-style case nonetheless does the job, with a sturdy hinge connecting the bottom to the lid. I’ve no considerations about its long-term sturdiness, which isn’t at all times a given on inexpensive buds. 

Nevertheless, the plastic construct nonetheless feels low-cost. Any phantasm of the Elite 4 being a high-end product is shattered as quickly as you choose up the case. It’s additionally vulnerable to accumulating scratch marks, so I firmly imagine Jabra may’ve executed higher right here. 

One good thing about this design is that it’s impressively light-weight: the case is simply 33.4g when empty, or 42.6g with each buds inside. Consequently, they’re extremely simple to take anyplace you may enterprise.

Apart from the Jabra emblem, there’s not a lot else to report relating to the case. You get an LED charging/pairing indicator gentle on the entrance and USB-C charging port on the again, however each are commonplace options. 

Fortuitously, the buds themselves really feel way more premium than the case. As a substitute of the widespread quick stem design, the Elite 4 go for a extra rounded physique that sits virtually fully inside the ear. I typically want this strategy, because it creates an excellent seal that advantages lively noise cancellation. 

It could actually take some time to get used to, although, and it’s necessary to decide on the correct dimension of ear ideas and Jabra consists of three within the field. Even then, the Elite 4 are removed from probably the most snug wi-fi earbuds I’ve used. They don’t damage, however your ears are in fixed contact with exhausting plastic whereas carrying them. 

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Consequently, I wouldn’t suggest these buds to somebody who recurrently listens for a number of hours at a time. However for an hour or two right here and there, consolation isn’t a significant problem. 

It’s good to see a waterproofing ranking on the Elite 4, though it’s solely IP55. Whereas that protects it from most mud, it’s solely rated to outlive low-pressure water jets. It’ll be nice should you’re caught within the rain, however that’s about it.

I complained about Jabra’s strategy to on-bud controls within the Elite 3 evaluation, and nothing has modified on their successor. Relatively than being activated by contact, it’s a must to bodily press the button on the surface of every bud to set off key features. 

The good thing about that is that it’s extra immune to unintended presses, however the trade-offs aren’t value it for me. Each time you alter one thing, the tip of the bud is pushed additional into your ear canal. It’s significantly disagreeable when utilizing the lengthy press performance, however you’ll discover it each time. 

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It is a actual disgrace, because the vary of performance out there is spectacular. Studying find out how to toggle ANC, entry a digital assistant or management music is straightforward, but I used to be reluctant to make use of them more often than not. Relying in your telephone a lot appears like a backward step, however it’s the lesser of two evils right here. 

A extra profitable design selection is the LED indicator on every bud, which helps you to know battery, pairing and charging standing. Robust magnets maintain the buds in place whereas within the case, making it virtually unattainable to by accident stop them from charging. 

Sound High quality

• Spectacular, versatile audio
• Nice for music or voices
• No Hello-Res assist

The success of any wi-fi earbuds hinges on their sound high quality, so I’m glad to report that it’s one of many key strengths of the Jabra Elite 4. The buds supply spectacular audio throughout a spread of situations, even when they’re not fairly best-in-class on this respect. 

Basically, the twin 6mm drivers ship wealthy sound that’s brimming with heat and element. That definitely advantages music, the place songs sound superb no matter style. 

Taylor Swift followers gained’t be disillusioned, with every thing from ‘Shake It Off’ to ‘Anti-Hero’ sounding punchy and atmospheric. Different trendy songs equivalent to ‘Really feel It Nonetheless’ by Portugal. ‘The Man’ and ‘Higher Now’ by Submit Malone strike an excellent steadiness between crisp vocals and detailed backing tracks. 

However loads of traditional older tunes are simply nearly as good. The advanced backing band in ‘September’ by Earth, Wind & Fireplace complement Maurice White’s vocals excellently, with neither turning into overpowering.

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AC/DC’s ‘Again In Black’ is completely totally different, however the lengthy electrical guitar solos are nonetheless represented in wonderful element. In the meantime, stripped-back tracks equivalent to ‘Think about’ by John Lennon and ‘Somebody Like You’ by Adele lose none of their ordinary impression. 

Even should you want rap, nation or classical music, it’s exhausting to discover a model of music that the Elite 4 battle with. Some songs sound higher than others, however the high quality of each observe I examined is loads ok for informal listening at this inexpensive value. 

It’s additionally value noting that my testing was solely at Amazon Music’s ‘commonplace’ high quality. It is a extremely compressed model of the unique, however being restricted to SBC and Qualcomm aptX codecs means the Elite 4 aren’t suitable with Hello-Res audio. 

But when there’s one major weak spot, it’s bass. These lower-pitched sounds are nonetheless audible, however don’t have fairly the identical impression as premium buds. There’s additionally some distortion at increased volumes, though it’s exhausting to complain about both an excessive amount of at this value level. 

The audio will be tweaked by way of the Jabra Sound+ app, with equalizer controls for bass, mid-range and treble. Should you’re not assured adjusting the audio your self, there are six presets out there.

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All have a transparent impression on the audio, however not sufficient to essentially change the way in which it sounds. Should you’re on the lookout for in-depth customisation, these aren’t the buds for you. 

Elsewhere, crystal-clear voices make the Elite 4 a sensible choice for each podcasts and calls. 4 microphones imply audio enter is first rate, albeit nowhere close to nearly as good as most wired headphones.

Noise Cancelling & Good Options

• Spectacular ANC efficiency
• Could be customised by way of companion app
• Transparency mode and digital assistant assist

Lively noise cancelling (ANC) is the headline new function on the Elite 4. It was the primary purpose to not purchase the Elite 3, so I’m glad Jabra has added it. 

You should use the ANC with out downloading the Jabra Sound+ companion app, however that’s the place it may be personalised. This primarily entails selecting the extent of noise suppression and steadiness (between the left and proper earbud) that fits you finest.

Each can have a surprisingly massive impact on the effectiveness of the ANC, so it’s value doing. 

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As soon as arrange, its implementation right here is spectacular. The ANC does an excellent job of drowning out most background noise, even in busy environments.  

I generally get pleasure from listening to music at a comparatively low quantity, the place the function on most earbuds lets too many annoying sounds by way of to make it worthwhile. Not right here, although, I may fortunately get pleasure from quiet music and keep fully targeted on what I’m doing.  

You’ll be able to reconfigure the ANC at any time by way of the Sound+ app, however it’d be good to manage the depth with out going by way of that setup course of every time. Generally I solely need a number of the background noise to be eliminated, however it’s an all or nothing strategy right here.  

The safe match of the Elite 4 buds additionally means little or no sound escapes into the room. Even with the buds just a few centimetres from my ears, I couldn’t hear something. If, like me, you are worried about individuals close to you listening to what you’re taking part in, these buds are a fantastic selection. 

Jabra’s transparency mode is named ‘HearThrough’. It does an excellent job of amplifying the sound round you, making it nice for crossing a busy highway or shortly tuning right into a dialog. The one caveat is that there’s no in-ear detection, so music gained’t pause mechanically should you take away the buds. 

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The Jabra Sound+ app is out there on iOS and Android, with the digital assistant relying on which telephone you’re utilizing. Siri and Google Assistant are each triggered by way of a double faucet of the left earbud by default, responding in the identical approach as ordinary. It’s a pleasant choice to have. 

Battery Life & Charging

• As much as 5.5 hours with ANC on
• Additional three expenses from case
• Respectable USB-C charging speeds

Jabra claims you may stand up to seven hours of listening time from the Elite 4 buds, however solely with ANC turned off. With the function enabled, one thing I’d suggest, this drops to five.5 hours. 

That’s roughly in step with my expertise, which implies solely lengthy listening classes will totally deplete the battery in a single sitting. For contemporary wi-fi earbuds, that’s pretty commonplace. 

In fact, the buds will keep within the case whenever you’re not utilizing them. This provides an additional three full expenses, so that you’re taking a look at a complete of as much as 28 hours with ANC off or 22 hours with it on. Based mostly on my expertise, the latter is a typically sensible determine, and it ought to translate to round a full week for most individuals. 

You can find higher battery life elsewhere, however it’s simple to plug them in at first of the week and probably not fear about operating out of cost. Should you solely use earbuds very often, the Elite 4 are rated to final for as much as 75 days on standby. I couldn’t confirm this declare throughout testing, however they do appear to carry cost nicely.  

The Elite 4 assist quick charging, though there’s solely a USB-C to A cable included within the field. Jabra’s declare of 10 minutes plugged in getting you roughly an hour of utilization appears correct, though it takes round 3.5 hours to completely cost each the buds and case. 

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Worth & Availability

The Jabra Elite 4 sit on the extra inexpensive finish of the wi-fi earbud market. They value $99.99/£99.99, and can be found at a wide range of retailers together with direct from Jabra and by way of Amazon within the US and UK.

That value means they’re nearly low-cost sufficient for our funds buds chart, however there’s plenty of competitors. The Google Pixel Buds A, Nothing Ear (Stick) and OnePlus Buds Z2 are all priced very equally, though solely the latter options lively noise cancellation. 

However spending simply barely extra can get you the Nothing Ear (2) or Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, each of which supply a greater all-round expertise. 

There’s no doubting that the Jabra Elite 4 are nonetheless nice worth for cash – they’re simply not the one ones. 

Verdict

The Elite 4 is perhaps the most cost effective wi-fi earbuds Jabra at present makes, however they nonetheless pack a punch. 

Combining ANC with nice sound high quality is mightily spectacular at this value level, particularly alongside the stable battery life. The traditional earbud design nonetheless appears to be like the half, whereas the companion app gives some spectacular customisation. 

Nevertheless, you’ll have to put up with an inexpensive plastic case and irritating controls on the buds themselves until you’re on the aspect of the fence preferring correct buttons.

It’s simple to miss these minor inconveniences at this value level, however the Elite 4 lack any standout function when in comparison with the big selection of options. 

Specs

• Lively Noise Cancellation 
• Wi-fi: Bluetooth 5.2, Qualcomm aptX, SBC 
• Voice management: Siri, Google Assistant 
• Contact controls: Sure 
• Battery life: 7 hours from buds, 28 hours together with case (with out ANC, claimed) 
• Charging: As much as 3.5 hours 
• Ear ideas ideas: Three sizes 
• Colors: Grey, Mild Beige, Lilac, Navy Blue 
• Weight: 4.6g (every bud), 33.4g (case)