Fitness Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: 66% of 140 owners recommend it, vs 38% of 48 for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

38%of 48 owners recommend
38% recommend · 10% neutral · 52% don't
Owners praise
  • Secure earhook fit that stays put during workouts and running
  • Good sound once you get a proper ear-tip seal
  • Comfortable for both exercise and all-day wear
Owners complain about
  • Sound quality disappointing, tinny or harsh to many
  • Weak ANC that barely cancels outside noise
  • Ear pain or fatigue and tips that won't stay seated
Full owner report →

Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2

66%of 140 owners recommend
66% recommend · 9% neutral · 25% don't
Owners praise
  • Secure fit that stays put during workouts, runs, and sweat
  • Rugged, waterproof build that handles showers, rain, and sauna
  • Comfortable enough for long wear and even sleeping
Owners complain about
  • Background hiss, white noise, or static, often with ANC on
  • Sound quality good but not best-in-class for some
  • ANC underwhelming next to rivals like Sony and Bose
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 if
  • ✓Intense-workout users lifting, running and training hard
  • ✓People who fear losing earbuds during exercise
  • ✓Apple users wanting secure over-ear hooks
  • ✓Those needing an all-day-battery fitness earbud
Skip it if
  • Buyers who want strong noise cancellation
  • Glasses wearers, where arms disrupt the seal
Get the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 if
  • ✓Runners and gym-goers needing buds that stay put
  • ✓People who want buds for showers, sweat, and rain
  • ✓Small-eared users who struggle to keep buds in
  • ✓Buyers who prefer tactile buttons over touch controls
Skip it if
  • Audiophiles chasing best-in-class sound quality
  • Bass lovers wanting punchy low-end

What Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 owners say

“By far the best headphones on the market for when you are being active and don’t want them to fall out.”
— @ddg9584 on YouTube
“they still work, left one has less than an hour for battery life, but honestly, I can't complain”
— @JoseLopez-gf2js on YouTube
“The Beats went back to the store after a week”
— @JavisBoomTech on YouTube

What Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 owners say

“Best sport buds I have ever used ever. Incredible.”
— @viktorask on YouTube
“A damn shame. Love my Elite 8 Active and may upgrade to the Gen 2 as the headphone jack adapter is very creative.”
— @UlyssesFartknocker on YouTube
“I just received mine today to replace my old Sony wf-sp00n. Im disappointed. Comparing with Sony, the sound it's inferior.”
— @cbnx19 on YouTube

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: frequently asked questions

Is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 or the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 better?

Real owners lean toward the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2: 66% of 140 owners recommend it, vs 38% of 48 for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Who should get the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

Owners point the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 at intense-workout users lifting, running and training hard, and people who fear losing earbuds during exercise.

Who should get the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2?

Owners point the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 at runners and gym-goers needing buds that stay put, and people who want buds for showers, sweat, and rain.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is sound quality disappointing, tinny or harsh to many. For the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2, it's background hiss, white noise, or static, often with ANC on.