Small earbuds with strong battery life get enhanced by Dolby surround sound for music and movies
Bluetooth trailblazers Jabra have returned with a fresh pair of noise-canceling earbuds that provide a comfortable fit and advanced Dolby Atmos spatial audio for both Android and iPhone users.
The Elite 10, priced at £230 (€250/$250/A$380), undercut their primary competitors from Apple, Bose, and Sony while offering all the same features, regardless of your choice of phone or tablet—a rarity in the market.
Jabra’s previous earbuds have consistently ranked among the most comfortable options available, and the Elite 10 maintains this reputation. This generation introduces a lighter, vented design that eliminates the sensation of being “plugged in” or blocked, which some earbuds can cause. The oval-shaped silicone ear tips sit gently yet securely in your ear canal, with the remainder of the soft-touch plastic body resting in your concha.
Each earbud features a button that manages fully customizable functions, including toggling between noise-canceling modes, controlling playback, and adjusting volume, all achieved through single, double, triple, and press-and-hold actions. Furthermore, removing one earbud automatically pauses the music playback.
These earbuds have earned an IP57 water-resistant rating, surpassing the majority of their competitors, which ensures their ability to endure submersion in water, such as an accidental dip in the pool.
Specifications:
- Water resistance rating: IP57 (IP54 for the case)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (Supports SBC and AAC)
- Battery life: 6 hours with ANC (up to 27 hours with the charging case)
- Earbud weight: 5.7 grams
- Earbud dimensions: 19.6 x 18.8 x 28.2mm
- Driver size: 10mm
- Charging case weight: 45.9 grams
- Charging case dimensions: 24.4 x 46.9 x 65.4mm
- Charging options: USB-C, Qi wireless charging
The Elite 10 excel in terms of connectivity features. They are equipped with Bluetooth 5.3 and support Google and Microsoft fast pairing. They offer compatibility with the standard SBC and AAC audio formats right out of the box, and there’s a promise of an upcoming update to include the new LC3 audio format.
These earbuds can establish connections with two devices concurrently, which proves useful for managing calls and watching videos simultaneously—a feature that functions seamlessly. Call quality remains impressive, delivering clear audio whether in quiet office settings or amidst noisy streets. It manages to allow a subtle amount of background noise while maintaining clarity.
Regarding noise cancellation, the Jabras perform well but fall short of being class-leading. They effectively reduce the hum of engines and fans, although they encounter more difficulty with higher-pitched sounds and voices, permitting more external road noise compared to top-tier competitors. However, their “HearThrough” or transparency mode is among the best available.
Their audio quality is quite pleasing, delivering well-balanced and easy-to-enjoy sound. The bass is robust, the mids are pronounced, and the highs are sharp. Moreover, the Jabra Sound+ app offers a comprehensive equalizer for customization. While they may not surpass the absolute best in terms of capturing intricate audio details, they do offer a spacious and enjoyable soundstage and excel in distinguishing between different tones.
Where these earbuds truly shine is in their nearly unparalleled support for Dolby spatial audio across all devices. They can create a virtual surround sound effect with head tracking, ensuring that the center channel remains in front of you even if you turn your head. This feature is highly effective for movies and can also enhance the depth of standard stereo music.
Environmental Sustainability
Jabra anticipates that the batteries will endure beyond 500 full-charge cycles, retaining at least 80% of their original capacity. Unfortunately, these batteries are not user-replaceable, and the earbuds themselves are not designed for repair, rendering them essentially disposable. On the bright side, the cases are repairable, and Jabra offers replacement options for earbuds, cases, and tips.
Both the earbuds and the case are constructed using 75.7% recycled plastic. Additionally, Jabra actively engages in trade-in programs within the UK and publishes annual sustainability reports, demonstrating its commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
Price
The Jabra Elite 10 offers a selection of five colors and is priced at £229.99 (€249.99/$249.99/A$379).
In comparison, Sony’s WF-1000XM5 is priced at £259, the Google Pixel Buds Pro at £199, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 at £189, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 at £279.95, and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 at £229.
Verdict
Jabra once again impresses with the Elite 10, delivering an excellent pair of earbuds in a compact and comfortable design, all at a slightly more budget-friendly price compared to top-tier competitors.
While they may not surpass the very best in terms of noise cancellation or audiophile-level audio quality, and they lack support for higher-quality Bluetooth audio formats like aptX, they offer a convenient daily commuting companion. Their easy-listening sound, dependable battery life, compact case, straightforward button controls, and clear call quality make them a user-friendly choice.
The inclusion of cross-platform Dolby spatial audio support, catering to both Android and Apple device users, is a notable plus. Additionally, the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously via multipoint Bluetooth adds versatility. Unfortunately, like many earbuds, the lack of repairability makes them disposable, resulting in a slight deduction in their overall rating.
