Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Which sports buds are best?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2) are the two models that critics recommend most when discussing the best workout headphones. They share many functional traits (active noise cancellation, dual-device connectivity, spatial audio) and are designed for optimal stability when engaged in physical activities.

Neither set of buds is perfect. However, these two entries check all the right boxes to deliver grade-A performance across numerous verticals.

Which is the better option? Our Powerbeats Pro 2 and Elite 8 Active (Gen 2) comparison has the answer. So, down your pre-workout drink and let’s get started.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Specs compared

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Price & availability

The Powerbeats Pro 2 carry a higher price tag: $249. This is the same MSRP as the AirPods Pro 2. Jabra originally launched the Elite 8 Active (Gen 2) at $229, but their discontinuation has led to massive price drops across multiple retailers.

Nonetheless, both are fantastic pickups that will elevate your fitness gains.

For all of the latest headphones deals, we advise bookmarking our best headphones deals and best Apple deals pages.

• Winner: Tie

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Design

The Powerbeats Pro 2 have practicality and style down pat, while the Elite 8 Active are more durable and portable.

Beats retains series hallmarks like the bold colorways, IPX4 certification (sweat/water-resistant), and trademark ear-hook design that keeps the Powerbeats Pro 2 locked onto your ears.

Unfortunately, the revamped look is less attractive than the original. The charging case is smaller and supports wireless charging (finally), but it is still huge compared to other rivals.

Jabra left its minimalist design untouched. The Elite 8 Active come in a variety of unique colors and feature a “liquid silicone sock” with IP68 dust- and waterproofing that forms a tight seal and prevents corrosion.

We also love the compact IP54-rated wireless charging case. Comfort can be an issue, depending on your pain threshold; the buds push further into your ears when pressing the physical buttons.

• Winner: Tie

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Controls

Operating the Powerbeats Pro 2 is a breeze. These buds have responsive physical controls and stellar voice assistance. The B logo doubles as a button for enabling functions (e.g., call management, playback).

Dedicated rockers are placed at the top for convenient volume adjustment. Then there’s built-in Siri support for flawless voice command performance. Despite running on Apple’s H2 processor, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are modified for Android use.

The Elite 8 Active are remarkable multiplatform buds that function at a high level, no matter the operating system. They share a similar control scheme, including onboard volume adjustment that can be assigned and enabled via physical buttons.

We do prefer Beats’ volume rockers because of their ease of use and noticeable absence of discomfort when pressed. Spotify Connect is available to instantly pull up your favorite workout playlists. Jabra’s buttons produce solid tactility and register functions precisely. The buds work with Google Assistant and Siri and have superb speech recognition. They just lack the Powerbeats Pro 2’s numerous iOS integrations.

• Winner: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Sound quality

The Elite 8 Active are remarkable multiplatform buds that function at a high level, no matter the operating system. They share a similar control scheme, including onboard volume adjustment that can be assigned and enabled via physical buttons.

We do prefer Beats’ volume rockers because of their ease of use and noticeable absence of discomfort when pressed. Spotify Connect is available to instantly pull up your favorite workout playlists.

Jabra’s buttons produce solid tactility and register functions precisely. The buds work with Google Assistant and Siri and have superb speech recognition. They just lack the Powerbeats Pro 2’s numerous iOS integrations.

You’ll get impactful bass and well-rounded sound from the Powerbeats Pro 2. Beats tweaked its dual-layered drivers for wider frequency response, though the midrange is noticeably unbalanced. Music sounds enticing and lively, but contemporary songs have more thump on the Elite 8 Active. Turning on the Personalized Spatial Audio with headtracking does boost acoustics and clarity on Dolby Atmos content.

• Winner: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Active noise cancelling performance

ANC is stronger on the Elite 8 Active. Not only do they put a muzzle on most low- and mid-frequency sounds, but they are some of the best noise-canceling earbuds for high-frequency blockage.

Jabra’s Wind Noise Reduction setting minimizes harsh whoosh effects when running in gusty conditions. HearThrough mode has been updated and demonstrates exceptional vocal capture. I could hear chatter and noises clearly that were in close proximity as well as several blocks away.

Noise cancellation was great on the Fit Pro. The same can’t be said about the Powerbeats Pro 2. These buds struggled in “areas filled with loud conversation,” as our audio editor, Tammy Rogers, pointed out in her review.

I was distracted by talkative exercisers and the whirling noises from rowing machines at the gym. Common high-frequency sounds (e.g., crying babies, sirens) were unavoidable as well. Beats’ transparency mode is effective and makes ambient noise and conversations sound more natural.

• Winner: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Special features

Beats equipped the Powerbeats Pro 2 with an expansive feature set. The H2 processor grants essential Apple perks: adaptive EQ, audio sharing, automatic switching, Find My support, and Personalized Spatial Audio. Some of these hidden AirPods Pro 2 features also apply to the Powerbeats Pro 2.

Android compatibility gives users Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support, along with access to the Beats mobile app. New to the series is heart rate monitoring. Beats used components from the Apple Watch to achieve a certain level of accuracy, and though the results aren’t spot-on, having the feature helps gauge progress.

Much of what’s available on the flagship Elite 10 can be found on the Elite 8 Active. That includes all major audio features like ANC/HearThrough, EQ, LE Audio, and Spatial Sound.

Jabra’s Call Experience mode is here to adjust different settings (equalizer, sidetone) on voice calls. Other notables are the MyControls feature for control customization, Soundscapes to enable different ambient sound vignettes, the sleep timer function, and Find My Jabra (earbuds).

Both models have multipoint technology (to pair to two devices simultaneously) and reliable connectivity.

• Winner: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Call quality

Jabra makes some of the best headphones for voice and video calls, and the Elite 8 Active are no exception. Calls sound loud and clear, and ANC does a marvelous job of eliminating ambient noise from conversations.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 should be the brand’s best calling headset, but it falls short of the Fit Pro, especially with regard to noise reduction. Loud backgrounds make it difficult for people to hear your voice. Keep this in mind when taking calls during outdoor runs.

• Winner: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Battery life

Playtimes are sufficient on each of these models. We’re talking up to 8 hours of ANC use on the Elite 8 Active and Powerbeats Pro 2, though the former provides longer battery life when disabling the feature (14 hours versus 10 hours).

The same goes for the charging cases. Jabra’s case holds up to 56 hours, while Beats’ case is capped at 45 hours.

• Winner: Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2)

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs. Jabra Elite 8 Active (Gen 2): Verdict

The scoreboard shows Jabra as the victor, a notable win for a company that recently killed its consumer earbuds business, which we’ve pleaded for it to reconsider.

Owning the Elite 8 Active (Gen 2) means greater ANC, battery life, and call and sound quality. These buds are designed to survive the daily abuse you’ll put them through, thanks to an impenetrable exterior with waterproof protection.

Bonuses like the LE Audio smart case, Soundscapes mode, and wireless charging boost their stock. It’s just unfortunate that they are no longer in production.

Even though the Powerbeats Pro 2 aren’t the superior selection, they’re seen as the best sports earbuds to own moving forward based on availability and firmware updates, which Apple releases occasionally throughout the year to upgrade the latest AirPods and Beats models.

Remove Jabra from the conversation and Beats easily takes the top spot. Lengthy playtimes, powerful sound, secure wearability, and terrific multiplatform integration earn them mass appeal. We only wish that the design and noise cancellation were better executed.

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