Jabra’s latest Elite 85t headphones features the company’s most advanced active noise-canceling technology. However, the older Elite 75t model will also be getting an upgrade that could give it a fighting chance against its successor. Jabra earphones are among the best true wireless stereo earbuds around, given how well they fit and how reliable they perform.
The Elite 75t model in particular, is one of the most compact TWS earphones in the market. It boasts superior audio and call quality achieved through its 4-microphone setup. While the Elite 75t’s price-value ratio makes it a competitive alternative to Apple’s AirPods Pro, it’s still lacking any type of ANC whatsoever. However, Its successor, the Elite 85t, aims to change that by introducing ANC technology into Jabra’s current lineup.
The Jabra Elite 85t utilizes a new 6-microphone setup and dual-chipsets offering reduced audio latency and improved sound quality. Its advanced ANC technology offers up to 11-levels of sound that allows users to tailor the internal and external noise levels exactly to their liking. According to Jabra, ANC won’t be exclusive to its latest earphone entry, as the base Elite 75t and its Active counterpart will also be getting ANC capability as well, via a software update. However, a reduction in overall battery life when ANC is turned on is something to consider, since both models come with relatively similar battery capacities, with the Elite 85t besting the charging case capacity of its predecessor by only a couple of hours.
Elite 85t & 75t: Pros & Cons
Both models can easily compete with the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market, but there are still a couple of noteworthy distinctions that sets them apart. First of all, the noise-cancellation quality that the Elite 75t will be getting is not as good as what’s included with the latest model. While the Elite 85t might have the better sound-level customization, its IPX4-rated water and dust resistance level is lower than the Elite 75t’s IP55 rating. Both models support wireless charging, but the 7.5-hour battery life of the Elite 75t lasts slightly longer than the newer 85t’s 7 hours with ANC off, and 5.5 hours with ANC on.
The Elite 85t’s semi-open ear design could also lead to less passive noise isolation, and its lack of an ear-hook might make the fit feel less secure as well. Despite not having the heart rate-monitoring capabilities and the superior IP67-waterproofing of the much older Jabra Elite Sport, the Elite 85t is still the priciest among the Elite lineup, coming in at $229. In comparison, the Elite 75t costs almost $100 dollars less at $149. The Jabra Elite 85t certainly has all the essential criteria of a great wireless headset, but its lack of features that cater to active users still leaves a lot to be desired.
