When it comes to workout earbuds, Jabra’s Elite Active range has always been a strong contender. Known for their rugged durability and great sound, the first-gen Jabra Elite 8 Active became a favourite for runners, gym-goers and, basically, anyone needing earbuds that could take a beating.
They offered a solid mix of performance and features, but they weren’t perfect - the ANC had room for improvement, and some features felt a little basic compared to pricier rivals. Now, with the Elite 8 Active Gen 2, Jabra has stepped things up a notch.
The latest iteration of the running headphones packs a slew of updates, with Jabra claiming that they will serve up stronger noise cancellation, a HearThrough mode for outdoor awareness and a smart case that streams audio directly to the buds. Plus, they’ve kept all the essentials like “military-grade” durability and a secure fit.
But do the Jabra Elite 8 Active earphones live up to their promises IRL? I’ve been putting the fitness buds through their paces over the past few weeks - during workouts, commutes and even lazy weekends - to find out. Here’s my full review.
Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 review
Price and availability
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds were launched in September 2024 and are available to buy now at Jabra’s online store in Black, Navy, Coral, and - my review sample colour - (a rather sickly) Olive.
Priced at £199 in the UK, $229 in the US, and AU$329 down under, Jabra’s latest fitness-focused earbuds are the same price as their predecessor, the first gen model. Although these saw an increase in price over the Jabra Elite 7 Active, which carried an RRP of £169 / $179 / AU$ 279.
However, the Elite 8 Active’s price tag still falls under the premium tier where you’ll find rivals like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which retailed with an RRP of £300 at launch. While Jabra’s latest earbuds are not cheap, they are competitively priced for what they offer – especially given their focus on durability and fitness features.
Design and comfort
When it comes to durability, the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 buds boast quite the feature set. Being IP68-rated, they are completely dustproof and waterproof - think trail runs in a sandstorm or marathons in the snow. Even the charging case doesn’t slack off, with an IP54 splash resistance rating, so it’s safe from the pits of a sweaty gym bag.
According to Jabra, they’ve been tested against military-grade standards, so they should be virtually indestructible. Although I didn’t fancy my chances of testing this out, so we’ll have to take Jabra’s word for it.
The ShakeGrip coating is one of the earbuds’ smartest features. It’s a soft, silicone-like layer that I found helps keep the buds firmly in place during even the most vigorous workouts. Whether I was powering through burpees or jogging on a misty morning, they didn’t slip or need adjusting. The silicone tips come in three sizes, ensuring a snug, customised fit for different ears. Plus, at just 5g per bud, they’re super lightweight - I even forgot I was wearing them during longer sessions.
Just focusing on looks alone, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are sleek, with a matte finish that feels quite premium. My review sample was the Olive edition, which is pretty understated, although a little sickly in colour. The colourways won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but they’re ideal if you prefer subtle workout gear that doesn’t scream for attention.
I wasn’t a massive fan of the earbuds’ physical button controls. While reliable and responsive, pressing them can push the buds deeper into your ears, which doesn’t feel great, especially during long periods of use. Nevertheless, the design excels where it counts on the whole, ticking most boxes across durability, fit and style.
While there’s room for improvement in the physical controls department, these earbuds are some of the most practical and well-thought-out on the market, especially for active lifestyles. If you want workout earbuds that can survive just about anything, I can’t imagine you’ll be disappointed with the second-gen Elite 8 Active.
Features and performance
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds don’t just look the part; they perform brilliantly across the board, especially for fitness users - whether you’re an enthusiast or a novice.
Starting with connectivity, the Bluetooth 5.3 technology ensures a rock-solid link to your devices. Whether paired with my phone or laptop, I experienced no interruptions during workouts or video calls. The ability to switch seamlessly between two devices via multipoint pairing is also a bonus, especially for those who mix work and workouts.
The standout feature, though, is the earphones’ companion app, Jabra Sound+. This app is loaded with lots of customisation options, allowing you to tweak the EQ to match your preferences or select from six presets like “Bass Boost” or “Energise” for added oomph during workouts. You can also toggle between ANC and HearThrough modes, create personalised soundscapes and even track the location of misplaced buds with the Find My Jabra feature. It’s a feature-rich ecosystem that really bumps up that ‘bang for your buck’.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2’s improved ANC delivers adaptive ANC that’s much improved from the earbuds’ predecessor, doing a great job of cutting out most background noise, especially at low frequencies. During runs along busy streets, the buds were muffled the hum of traffic and construction sounds enough to make a noticeable difference.
However, I found that it can struggle slightly with high-pitched sounds - especially compared to the kings of noise cancellation, Bose - with sounds like sirens occasionally sneaking through. On the other hand, the HearThrough transparency mode is one of the best I’ve tested, delivering a super clear and natural way to stay aware of your surroundings without compromising audio quality (something I’ll talk about in more detail later on).
The new LE Audio-enabled smart case is also a nice addition. By connecting to devices via USB-C or a 3.5mm jack, it streams audio directly to the earbuds. This will prove incredibly useful on older gym equipment with AUX outputs and in-flight entertainment systems. Sure, it’s not a feature everyone will use, but for frequent travellers or gym-goers, it’s definitely a handy bonus.
Battery life is where the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 truly shine. With ANC on, you get about eight hours of playtime per charge, and the case holds an additional 24 hours. Switch ANC off, and the total extends to a massive 56 hours. Then there’s also the rapid charging feature, which gives you an hour of juice after being plugged in for just five minutes. I found this really useful when I was in a rush and had forgotten to fully charge them.
Sound quality
As far as sound quality goes, the Elite 8 Active earbuds boast a nice and balanced profile, with punchy bass, clear mids and crisp highs. The default EQ works well for most genres, but - as I mentioned earlier - the app’s customisable presets let you fiddle around until you get a sound that’s right for you. Tracks like Apple by Charlie XCX sounded energising, with booming lows and sharp percussion that helped keep my legs moving through long runs.
Verdict
The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are a great choice for anyone serious about workout earbuds. With top-notch durability, improved ANC and a companion app packed with features, these buds are designed to handle the toughest conditions, all while delivering superb performance. The ShakeGrip coating ensures a secure fit, and their balanced sound profile, paired with customisable EQ settings, offers a personalised listening experience that shines across all genres.
While the ANC can be inconsistent at times, and the physical button controls may cause slight discomfort, these are merely niggles - especially considering all that these buds bring to the table. Features like the LE Audio-enabled smart case and extended battery life further solidify their place among some of the best fitness-focused earbuds you can buy right now.
The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are certainly not cheap, but they are a worthwhile investment and, without doubt, will prove to be a great gym bag addition for those with active lifestyles.
Also consider
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: For those prioritising situational awareness, the Bose Ultra Open offers an open-ear design that keeps you connected to your surroundings while delivering crisp, clear audio. Unlike the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which excels in isolating sound with ANC, the Bose Ultra Open focuses on open-ear comfort for outdoor workouts and safer use in busy environments.
Sony WF-1000XM5: If sound quality and noise cancellation are your top priorities, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds deliver industry-leading ANC and hi-res audio support. While the Jabra Elite 8 Active is more rugged and better suited for intense activities, the Sony earbuds shine in creating a premium listening experience for audiophiles.
Beats Fit Pro: The Beats Fit Pro are a great alternative for fitness enthusiasts who want secure-fitting earbuds with Apple's H1 chip for seamless connectivity. While the Jabra Elite 8 Active offers superior durability and water resistance, the Beats Fit Pro excel in bass-heavy sound and integration with the Apple ecosystem.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: These buds deliver excellent comfort and keep your ears open for full situational awareness, thanks to their bone-conduction technology. Unlike the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which blocks out noise with ANC, the Shokz are ideal for outdoor workouts where hearing your surroundings is crucial.
