Bose vs Jabra (2021): Comparing SoundSport Free and Elite 65T True Wireless Earbuds

There’s such a wide array of wireless earbuds in the market today that it can be overwhelming to choose. Bose and Jabra are among the trusted headphones brands and we compare their top-selling true wireless earbuds: the Bose SoundSport Free and the Jabra Elite Active 65T. Both are designed with fitness enthusiasts in mind and priced under 200 USD, but our detailed comparison will help you choose which headphones better suit your needs.

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Jabra Elite Active 65T

IP56-rated, the Jabra Elite Active 65T wireless earbuds are designed with fitness and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The Jabra 65Ts deliver excellent audio quality whether you're listening to music or making voice calls. They are available in copper black, copper blue, and copper red.

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Bose vs Beats True Wireless Earbuds Comparison Chart

Model	Bose SoundSport Free	Jabra Elite Active 65T
Price	Check Price on Walmart	Check Price on Amazon
Dimensions	1.2″ x 1.2″ x 1 “	1.2″ x 1.1″ x .9″
Active Noise Cancellation	No	No
HearThrough Mode	No	Yes
Sweatproof and Water-Resistant	Yes, IPX4	Yes, IP56
Motion Sensor	No	Yes
Runtime	Up to 5 hours	Up to 5 hours
Charging Case	Up to 10 hours more	Up to 10 hours more
Quick Charging	15 mins for up to 45 mins of battery	15 mins for up to 1 hour of battery
Bluetooth	4.1	5.0
Audio Codecs	SBC, AAC	SBC, AAC
Microphone	2 (right earbud)	4
Touch Controls	No	Yes
Voice Assistant	Yes	Yes
Color Options	Black Blue Bright Orange Ultra Violet	Copper Black Copper Blue Copper Red Titanium Black

Design

The Bose are bulkier and do not feel as secure as the Jabra Elite

While they are both lightweight, the Bose SoundSport Free look bulkier than the Jabra Elite Active 65T. The Jabra wireless earbuds look more discreet than the Bose that you can still see sticking out of your ears even from the back. The Jabra wireless earbuds further fit more snugly in your ears. You won’t worry that they will fall off while working out because the EarGels’ seal feels tight and secure.

Both Bose and Jabra included different sizes of eartips with their wireless earbuds to ensure better fit and seal. As for their charging case, the SoundSport Free are housed in a tube-shaped case while the Jabra Elite Active 65T have a smaller charging case that will fit better in pockets.

Sound Quality

The Bose sound slightly richer and fuller, but the Jabra Elite Active’s EQ can be adjusted through its app

It’s hard to beat the fuller, richer audio quality of the Bose with its signature sound of slightly scooped mids and warm bass. The SoundSport Free simply sound slightly better, but the Elite Active 65T still deliver high-quality sound for their price point and cover a wide range of genres well. If you want deeper bass, you can use Jabra’s Sound+ app to adjust your EQ settings. Furthermore, the Jabra have the sonic advantage over the Bose because of their more secure seal.

The Jabra have more microphones than the Bose, giving them better quality for phone calls. There’s only one microphone in the Bose and only one earbud works for calls. If you often make calls and use wireless earbuds to do so, then the Jabra might be the better choice.

With all these said, it is worth mentioning that both are not the perfect pair of wireless earbuds if you want to use them for watching streaming videos and playing games. Many users have experienced a noticeable sound delay with audiovisuals, something that can put many users off. However, both brands keep updating their software to help address this.

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Bose SoundSport Free

Bose's top-selling earbuds for workout use

Enjoy maximum freedom of motion with the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless Earbuds. Their robust, water-resistant build and superb sound quality make these wireless earbuds an excellent companion for active users.

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Set Up and Controls

Both the Bose and Jabra have physical control buttons and support digital assistants

Both the Bose and Jabra have physical control buttons in their earbuds for managing tracks, taking phone calls, and activating your intelligent assistant. The SoundSport Free’s buttons are located conveniently at the top so you can easily press them without pushing them towards your ears. As for the Jabra, you’ll have to push the button in the middle which can put more pressure on your ears long term.

For more hands-free control, you can also use your preferred smart assistant such as Alexa, Google, or Siri. The Jabra are equipped with built-in Amazon Alexa, but the Bose can still be used to access your intelligent assistant through voice controls.

Additional Features

The Bose and Jabra wireless earbuds are sweatproof and water-resistant, but the Elite Active 65T feature a HearThrough mode

Both the SoundSport Free and Jabra Elite active 65T have IP ratings that allow them to be used during heavy workouts. The Bose have an IPX4 rating, which means you can wash them on the sink for a couple of minutes or use them during strenuous activities as they can withstand splashes and sweat. With an IP56 rating, the Jabra wireless earbuds are dust-resistant and can withstand, not just splashes, but high-pressure water jets from every direction.

The Jabra Elite Active 65T pack more features such as the HearThrough Mode that allows you to hear external sound while listening to music. As the Jabra’s eartips completely seal your ears, they isolate sound pretty well even though they’re not noise-canceling. If you need to listen to announcements on the train or airports while using your wireless earbuds, the Jabra’s HearThrough Mode will come in handy.

Verdict

The Jabra Elite Active 65Ts offer better bang for your buck

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Bose SoundSport Free

Bose's top-selling earbuds for workout use

Enjoy maximum freedom of motion with the Bose SoundSport Free Truly Wireless Earbuds. Their robust, water-resistant build and superb sound quality make these wireless earbuds an excellent companion for active users.

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We are reader supported. When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission.

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Jabra Elite Active 65T

IP56-rated, the Jabra Elite Active 65T wireless earbuds are designed with fitness and outdoor enthusiasts in mind. The Jabra 65Ts deliver excellent audio quality whether you're listening to music or making voice calls. They are available in copper black, copper blue, and copper red.

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We are reader supported. When you buy through our links we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you are an audiophile, you might prefer the Bose SoundSport Free for their fuller, better sound quality, especially if you only use your wireless earbuds for listening to music. On the other hand, if you are looking for a more affordable pair of earbuds that does not compromise sound quality, go for the Jabra Elite Active 65T instead. They look more discreet on your ears and are packed with more features such as customizable EQ and four microphones for better call quality.

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