The Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700 are two of the most popular noise cancelling headphones on the market. Both headphones offer high-quality sound, active noise cancellation technology, and a range of convenient features. The Jabra Elite 85h boasts exceptional battery life and voice assistant integration, while the Bose 700 is known for its sleek design and intuitive touch controls. In this comparison, we will examine the design, sound quality, noise cancellation, connectivity and features, price, and value for money of both headphones, to help you determine which one is the best choice for you.
Design and Build Quality
The Jabra Elite 85h has a sleek and modern design, with a mix of matte and gloss finishes and soft-touch plastic. The headphones are over-ear and come with memory foam ear cushions for a comfortable fit, even during extended listening sessions. The Bose 700, on the other hand, has a minimalist and premium look, with a mix of metal and plastic materials. The Bose 700 also has a unique folding mechanism, making it easy to carry and store. The Bose 700 also has a comfortable fit with its cushioned ear pads and headband.
In terms of durability, both headphones are well-built and should last a long time with proper care. The Jabra Elite 85h has a weather-resistant design, making it suitable for use in all weather conditions. The Bose 700 is not weather-resistant, but its premium materials and build quality give it a solid feel.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Jabra Elite 85h is balanced, with clear and crisp highs, rich mids, and tight bass. The headphones offer customizable sound through the Jabra app, allowing users to adjust the equalizer to their liking. The Bose 700 also has a well-balanced sound signature, with clear and natural vocals, punchy bass, and an open and spacious soundstage. The Bose 700 also allows users to adjust the sound profile through the Bose Music app.
Both headphones offer a high-quality sound that should satisfy most listeners, but the Bose 700 has a slight edge in terms of soundstage and separation. On the other hand, the Jabra Elite 85h’s customizable equalizer may appeal to users who want to fine-tune their sound.
In terms of bass, the Jabra Elite 85h has punchy and tight bass, while the Bose 700 has a more neutral and balanced bass response. Both headphones offer good bass performance, but users who prefer a bass-heavy sound may prefer the Jabra Elite 85h.
Noise Cancellation Features
The Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700 both have excellent active noise cancellation technology, designed to block out ambient noise and allow for an immersive listening experience. The Jabra Elite 85h uses eight microphones to actively cancel noise, with the ability to adjust the level of noise cancellation through the Jabra app. The Bose 700 also uses multiple microphones for noise cancellation, with the ability to adjust the level of noise cancellation through the Bose Music app.
In terms of performance, both headphones do a great job of blocking out background noise, with the Bose 700 having a slight edge in terms of overall noise cancelling effectiveness. The Bose 700 also has a unique feature called “conversation mode”, which temporarily lowers the volume of your music to let you hear your surroundings without taking off the headphones.
Connectivity and Features
In terms of connectivity, both the Jabra Elite 85H and Bose 700 offer Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless connectivity, and both headphones also have built-in voice assistants for hands-free control. The Jabra Elite 85h supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, while the Bose 700 supports only Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Both headphones also offer touch controls, with the Jabra Elite 85h having gesture-based controls on the ear cups and the Bose 700 having touch controls on the right ear cup. Both sets of touch controls are intuitive and responsive.
Battery life is another strong point for both headphones, with the Jabra Elite 85h offering up to 36 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation on, and the Bose 700 offering up to 20 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation on. Both headphones also offer quick charging, with the Jabra Elite 85h offering 8 hours of battery life with just 15 minutes of charging, and the Bose 700 offering 3.5 hours of battery life with just 15 minutes of charging.
Price and Value for Money
The Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700 are both premium headphones and come at a premium price. The Jabra Elite 85h has a retail price of around $230, while the Bose 700 has a retail price of around $399.
In terms of value for money, both headphones offer excellent performance and features, but the Bose 700 is more expensive and may not be the best choice for users who are looking for a more affordable option. The Jabra Elite 85h offers excellent performance and features at a more accessible price, making it a better choice for users who are looking for premium headphones but want to save some money.
Comparison Table for Jabra Elite 85H vs Bose 700
| Feature | Jabra Elite 85h | Bose 700 |
| Design and Build Quality | Sleek and modern design, comfortable fit with memory foam ear cushions, and durable construction | Sleek and modern design, comfortable fit with memory foam ear cushions, and durable construction |
| Sound Quality | Powerful bass, clear mids and highs, and customizable sound through an equalizer | Natural and balanced sound with emphasis on mids and highs |
| Noise Cancellation | Excellent active noise cancellation with 8 microphones, adjustable through the app | Excellent active noise cancellation with multiple microphones, adjustable through an app and a unique “conversation mode” feature |
| Connectivity and Features | Bluetooth 5.0, built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, touch controls, and long battery life (up to 36 hours) | Bluetooth 5.0, built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, touch controls, and long battery life (up to 20 hours) |
| Price and Value for Money | More accessible price with excellent performance and features, making it a better value for money | Higher price but with a natural and balanced sound and unique touch control system |
Note: These are general observations and the specific features and prices may vary based on the region and availability.
Conclusion
The Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700 are both excellent noise-cancelling headphones with high-quality sound, strong active noise cancellation, and a range of features such as touch controls, voice assistants, and long battery life.
The Jabra Elite 85h has strengths such as a more accessible price, longer battery life, and customizable sound through its equalizer. The Bose 700 has strengths such as a more natural and balanced sound, slightly better noise-cancelling performance, and a unique touch control system.
In conclusion, both headphones have strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a more affordable option with longer battery life and customizable sound, the Jabra Elite 85h may be the best choice. If you are looking for a more natural and balanced sound, slightly better noise cancelling performance, and a unique touch control system, the Bose 700 may be the best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the battery life of the Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700?
The Jabra Elite 85h offers up to 36 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation on, and the Bose 700 offers up to 20 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation on.
Which headphones have better noise cancellation?
Both headphones have excellent active noise cancellation performance. The Bose 700 has a unique “conversation mode” feature that lets you hear the outside world with a touch of a button, but in general, the noise cancelling performance of both headphones is excellent.
Can I control the Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700 with my voice?
Yes, both headphones have built-in voice assistants for hands-free control. The Jabra Elite 85h supports both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, while the Bose 700 supports only Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Can I customize the sound of the Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700?
The Jabra Elite 85h has an equalizer that allows you to customize the sound to your liking, while the Bose 700 does not have a built-in equalizer.
What is the price of the Jabra Elite 85h and Bose 700?
The Jabra Elite 85h has a retail price of around $230, while the Bose 700 has a retail price of around $399.
Which headphones offer better value for money?
Both headphones offer excellent performance and features, but the Jabra Elite 85h offers better value for money due to its more accessible price and excellent performance and features.