Reviewing the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 feels bittersweet, as they are among the last wireless earbuds Jabra will produce. If they were mediocre, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but since they are excellent, we’ll never see how future versions could improve. The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are touted as high-end earbuds with modern features, waterproof capabilities, and military-grade durability. After testing, it’s clear that it’s a shame these are the final ones, but they’re a fantastic way to conclude Jabra’s lineup.

 

5 Reasons Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are Unstoppable: The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 earbuds feature a standout rugged design, highlighted by their IP68 rating. This means they are fully protected against dust and can be completely submerged in water up to a meter deep for 30 minutes without damage. In contrast, the charging case has an IP54 rating, offering dust and splash resistance but not full waterproofing, which is still better than many other earbud cases with no water resistance rating.

Beyond waterproofing, what truly sets these earbuds apart is their durability. They are tested for extreme temperatures, as well as for resistance to drops, crushing, and rough handling, earning them a MIL-STD-810h certification.

 

5 Reasons Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are Unstoppable: During my week with the Elite 8 Active Gen 2, the earbuds and their charging case withstood rain, a sandy beach, and the dirty, rough conditions of farm chores, yard work, and digging a 150-foot conduit trench. Despite this, they still look and function like new.

Durability aside, good sound quality is essential, and the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 excel in this area. They offer a balanced sound profile with a customizable EQ in the app. I prefer to scoop the mids and boost the treble and bass, and the Energize preset did exactly that. Listening to Nothing More’s new album “Carnal,” the earbuds rendered heavy rock songs like “If it Doesn’t Hurt” and “Freefall” excellently.

These earbuds perform well across various music genres. They played 2Cellos’ cover of “Thunderstruck”—my standard for comparing audio devices—remarkably well, and they also rendered pop songs like Bleeker’s “Cool” and classical music beautifully.

 

5 Reasons Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are Unstoppable: I used the LE-Audio enabled charging case and the included USB-C to AUX adapter to connect the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 to an old Sony Walkman to listen to Tchaikovsky on a cassette tape. This capability to connect to any AUX device via wireless earbuds has many potential uses, such as on airlines, with your TV, or gym equipment, making the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 compatible with older tech. While the call quality is good, it’s not particularly exceptional.

These earbuds are relatively large, and although I usually prefer less bulky designs, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are very comfortable. They come with several ear tip sizes, allowing for extended wear without discomfort. The earbuds feature large, tactile buttons for control, which I prefer over capacitive touch controls. These buttons don’t require much pressure to activate, yet I never pressed them accidentally.

The Jabra Sound+ app offers excellent additional functionality, including the aforementioned equalizer. The active noise cancellation is outstanding, as is the HearThrough mode. I found HearThrough particularly impressive for its natural rendition of external sounds with minimal noise. Often, I do farm chores with only one earbud inserted, listening to audiobooks, and with HearThrough enabled, I almost forgot I was wearing an earbud. I ended up using HearThrough mode by default, which is a first for me with headphones.

 

Dolby Spatial Sound enhances audio, while soundscapes offer relaxation. Case design unique, battery life impressive.

5 Reasons Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are Unstoppable: Dolby Spatial Sound is a nice feature. While it doesn’t have a huge impact, I appreciated the extra depth it added to the earbuds’ soundstage and used it throughout most of my testing. The app also offers soundscapes like waterfalls, caverns, white noise, and perfect storms, which are pleasant additions. Listening to a waterfall while writing this review was soothing and helped me focus.

The charging case has an unusual design, with a flat top lid and a USB-C port on the opposite curved side, making it natural to place the case upside down on flat surfaces. Despite its slim design, the case fits nicely in my pocket and has a sizable battery with wireless charging capability. The Elite 8 Active Gen 2 provide up to 56 hours of playback time, including the case, and the earbuds alone can deliver up to 14 hours of playback without needing a recharge.

 

5 Reasons Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are Unstoppable: The truth is, there’s really nothing wrong with these earbuds. They may lack some extra features found in competing headphones, such as Dolby Head Tracking, and some people might not care for the control scheme.

While I love the large physical button, it does require some pressure to activate, which means pressing on the inside of your ear. I didn’t find this irritating, and it’s much better than the similar button on the Beats Solo Buds, but it might bother some users. The only real downside to the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 is that there will never be a Gen 3, although there’s not much that could be improved.

I could envision a capacitive squeeze control system like the Nothing Ear (1), adding new features like Dolby Head Tracking, and perhaps moving to the bigger drivers of the Elite 10. However, the Elite 8 Active Gen 2 are as close to perfect as can realistically be expected.