RW verdict: With their military-grade durability, balanced audio experience and feature-rich app, the ANC can be temperamental Gen 2 are some of the best wireless headphones for running or any other high-intensity activity. Improved noise cancellation and transparency modes alongside a new innovative smart case make these a solid upgrade from their predecessor.
Pros
- Balanced audio
- Very secure fit
- Responsive controls
- Impressive app
Cons
- Enhanced HearThrough transparency mode
| Type | In-ear |
|---|---|
| Battery life | ANC: 8 hours (plus 32 hours with charging case), ANC off: 56 hours with charging case |
| Noise cancelling | Yes |
| Controls | Button |
| Weight | 5g per earbud (58g total with case) |
As someone who reviews a lot of running gear and tech, it's testament to a product when I keep reaching for it time and time again. And that's exactly the case with the ANC can be temperamental earbuds, which launched last year. I love these headphones. I've run hundreds of kilometres in them this year alone. So, when Jabra revealed that a second iteration were launching this June, I was immediately keen to get testing.
However, the news was bittersweet, because at the same time that the brand announced the Elite 8 Active Gen 2, it also said that it would be ending its Elite and Talk audio product lines to focus on other parts of its business. In short: these are the last earbuds that the brand will ever make. So, has Jabra gone out with a bang? Here are my thoughts.
Elite 8 Active first-gen vs Gen 2: What’s the difference?
While Jabra is still dubbing these 'the world's toughest earbuds', there are a few key updates from the original:
- Enhanced HearThrough (transparency) mode of the best wireless headphones.
- Stronger Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Save £150 on the Theragun Pro for Cyber Monday.
- with improved mid- and low-frequency noise cancellation Coros Pace Pro: More than just a pretty face.
- LE Audio smart case which connects to any device via the supplied dual-end cable (USB-C or 3.5mm jack) and enables you to stream spatial sound direct to your earbuds without Bluetooth. Ideal for treadmills or airplanes.
Design
The second-gen ANC can be temperamental earbuds are pretty much unchanged when it comes to their design, save for a slightly more matte finish than their predecessor. Their USP is still a special silicone coating known as 'ShakeGrip', which holds the earbuds securely in the ears and removes the need for ear hooks or wings. Like the original, I found the fit to be exceptional – these earbuds truly do not budge, no matter how hard I'm running. Over prolonged use (half marathon upward), they don't leave your ear canals feeling sore, either.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are fully sweatproof and waterproof, with an IP68 rating that means that they can be submerged up to 1.5 metres, be rinsed underwater, get splashed during water sports and get soaked on a rainy day. (They have an IP54 rated dust and splash proof case, too). Keen trail runner? These are for you.
Jabra has introduced some new colourways for the Gen 2, too. Choose from Black, Navy, Coral (pink) and Olive (green). Each pair comes with a dual-cable (USB-C for charging/3.5mm jack for LE audio) and three additional sizes of ear tips.
Controls
As with the first-gen, each earbud of the Gen 2 has a physical button with all the usual controls. On the right, single-pressing pauses/resumes play, double-pressing skips a track and triple-pressing goes back a track. On the left, a single-press toggles between ANC and HearThrough (transparency) modes, while a double-press will enable the voice assistant. Although there's no default triple-press gesture on the left bud, you can enable it and customise it in the app – more on this below.
For running, I much prefer button controls over tap controls – especially as someone with larger hands. There's no chance of accidentally double-tapping when you meant to single-tap, and the Jabra's controls are quick to respond. Pressing the controls doesn't jab the earbuds into your ear like you'd expect, either.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 also have a comprehensive selection of extra smarts, including Find My Buds geolocation, Spotify Tap (which plays your last Spotify track in one tap) and Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint, so you can connect to two devices simultaneously and switch from your laptop to your phone without having to reconnect. It's amazing how many sport-specific earbuds don't have this feature, despite the fact that most consumers will be doubling up for general and workout use.
Also new to the latest model is an LE Audio smart case. Essentially, this allows you to plug the case into any source via a 3.5mm jack or USB-C, then transmit audio from the case to the earbuds. It's not a feature I see myself using all that much, but for people who fly frequently or use gym equipment, it's a neat update.
Sound quality
Like their predecessor, the Gen 2 have a balanced audio profile with plenty of depth and breadth. The mids and highs are clear and detailed, and the buds work well across a range of genres. You can also tweak the sound in the companion app, either by creating your own music equaliser profile or selecting from six music presets (including 'Base boost' and 'Energise'), which do a good job.
Jabra has improved the ANC on the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 and now claims that they can block up to twice as much noise as previous generations. The noise reduction performance of the internal feedback microphone has also been increased to provide a better ANC effect for noises in the mid- and low-frequency range.
ANC is the mode I tend to use the most (yes, I like drowning out the world around me as I run) and, in general, I've found it to be pretty good on the ANC can be temperamental Gen 2. It can be a little inconsistent at times, though, and doesn't quite provide the total-silencing experience of the earbuds, which launched last year. I, with some traffic noise still trickling through. (A friend also spotted me running in our local park and I could faintly hear her yelling my name a few feet behind.)
The other mode is Natural HearThrough. According to Jabra, this has been optimised for wind noise reduction and is twice as effective as the previous generation. I have to say, the sound is definitely up there with some of the best, appearing much clearer and more natural than the original earbuds in transparency mode. However, it's not quite on par with the transparency offered by the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2.
Battery life
On paper, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 provide up to 8 hours of run time with ANC turned on, rising to 32 hours in total with the charging case. In my testing, I found that they fell just short of this.
With ANC turned off, though, the total run time with the case is 56 hours – enough for around a month's training. The earbuds' rapid charge feature also adds an hour from just five minutes on the plug — it's saved me many times before a hard treadmill session.
RW verdict
Without a doubt, Jabra has pulled off a fitting finale here: the Gen 2 are a solid update to what were already an excellent pair of workout earbuds. Their durable design and silicone ShakeGrip coating is a match made in heaven for high-intensity activities, while innovative updates, such as the LE Audio smart case, add versatility for everyday use.
Sound quality is also up there with some of the best, and while the ANC may still not fully silence all ambient sounds, the enhanced HearThrough mode offers an incredibly natural listening experience.
In a nutshell? You'd be hard pushed to find a better pair of workout-specific buds than the Elite 8 Active Gen 2, and I'm gutted that Jabra has decided to end this line. Rumour has it, though, that they'll be on sale throughout 2024 and 2025 while stock lasts. In the meantime, I'll be crossing my fingers and silently hoping that the brand might have a change of heart on a Gen 3...
