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Jabra Elite 85H Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£230
Avg. price in US: ~$300
Form factor: over-ear
Connectivity: wireless
Battery life: 41 hours
Active noise cancellation (ANC): yes

Jabra Elite 85H review. Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among headphones and if it is worth buying.

7.8

Very good

7.5

Very good

8.9

Excellent

5.1
Gaming
Score components:
35.0%
3.1
Audio latency
25.0%
1.0
Low-latency game mode
20.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
12.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
8.0%
6.7
Battery life
8.0
Travel
Score components:
28.0%
10
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
24.0%
6.7
Battery life
18.0%
3.3
Weight
16.0%
10
Multipoint support
14.0%
10
Ambient sound mode
9.5
Calls
Score components:
28.0%
10
Noise-canceling microphone
24.0%
10
Can be used as a headset
18.0%
10
Multipoint support
16.0%
6.7
Battery life
14.0%
10
Companion app
6.7
Workout
Score components:
28.0%
3.3
Weight
24.0%
10
Water resistance
20.0%
5.7
IP rating
16.0%
6.7
Battery life
12.0%
10
Can be used as a headset

Best prices in UK

Best rankings

#1 in Best Jabra Headphones
#41 in Best Gym Headphones
#41 in Best Sport Headphones
#139 in Best USB-C Headphones
#140 in Best Wireless Headphones for TV for Seniors
#140 in Best Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
#141 in Best Over Ear Headphones
#141 in Best Noise Cancelling Over Ear Headphones
#150 in Best Wireless Headphones
#155 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
#155 in Best Headphones with Mic

Verdict

The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium set of over-ear wireless headphones featuring custom 40mm dynamic drivers and a sophisticated 8-microphone system designed for superior call clarity and adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC). Key characteristics include SmartSound technology, which uses AI to automatically adjust audio settings based on your environment, and a durable, rain-resistant design with a nano-coating on internal components. Its standout pro is an exceptional battery life of up to 36 hours with ANC on (41 hours with it off), supported by fast USB-C charging that provides 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. Additional benefits include reliable on-ear detection for auto-pausing music, Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint for dual-device connectivity, and a comfortable, fabric-finished build. However, potential cons include a lack of high-end codec support like aptX or LDAC, a somewhat bulky and heavy profile at 296g, and ANC performance that can struggle with deep, low-frequency rumbles compared to class leaders.

Technical Specifications of Jabra Elite 85H

Overall score

7.8

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.

When it matters: When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Sound

8.2

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Active noise cancellation (ANC)

What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology

When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.

Importance: HIGH

Driver type

What it is: Type of speaker driver technology used

When it matters: When the underlying sound character and driver technology matter to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

dynamic

Driver size

What it is: Diameter of the speaker driver unit

When it matters: When you want extra hardware context behind how the headphones may handle bass weight, scale, or overall presentation.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of drivers

What it is: Total number of speaker drivers per earcup

When it matters: When multi-driver designs are part of your buying criteria.

Importance: LOW

Lowest frequency

What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce

When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=10 Hz

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Calls & Controls

8.6

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Noise-canceling microphone

What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls

When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.

Importance: MEDIUM

Can be used as a headset

What it is: Shows whether the headphones can handle voice chat and calls in addition to normal audio playback.

When it matters: When one pair needs to cover music, calls, meetings, and gaming chat.

Importance: MEDIUM

Number of microphones

What it is: Total number of built-in microphones

When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=2

Boom microphone

What it is: Includes detachable boom microphone for voice clarity

When it matters: When you need stronger voice clarity for gaming, streaming, or work calls.

Importance: LOW

Microphone SNR

What it is: Signal-to-noise ratio of the microphone

When it matters: When call clarity matters and you want your voice picked up more cleanly instead of buried in background hiss.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >80 dB

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Connectivity

4.3

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Connectivity

What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)

When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth version

What it is: Version of Bluetooth technology supported

When it matters: When wireless stability, efficiency, and feature support matter more than treating Bluetooth as a box-check spec.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5.0

Maximum Bluetooth range

What it is: Maximum wireless operating distance from source device

When it matters: When you move around rooms and want fewer dropouts from your source device.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=10 m

Audio latency

What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode

When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <60 ms

Multipoint support

What it is: Supports simultaneous connections to multiple devices

When it matters: When you switch often between a phone and a laptop during the day.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Features

7.3

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Ambient sound mode

What it is: Allows external sounds to pass through for awareness

When it matters: When you need to stay aware of traffic, voices, or announcements.

Importance: MEDIUM

EQ support

What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer

When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.

Importance: MEDIUM

Companion app

What it is: Dedicated mobile app for customization and updates

When it matters: When software customization, updates, and extra controls matter.

Importance: MEDIUM

Adjustable ANC levels

What it is: Allows adjustment of noise cancellation intensity levels

When it matters: When you move between quiet rooms, offices, streets, and public transport and do not want one ANC setting for every situation.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=4

N/A

Voice assistant support

What it is: Compatible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant

When it matters: When hands-free control is part of your daily routine.

Importance: LOW

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Battery

7.2

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Battery life

What it is: Playback time on a single charge

When it matters: When you commute, travel, or work long shifts and do not want charging breaks to interrupt listening.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >45 hours

Battery life with ANC

What it is: Playback time with active noise cancellation enabled

When it matters: When you plan to keep noise cancellation on for most of the day.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >40 hours

Charging time

What it is: Time required for a full battery charge

When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=2 hours

Quick charge

What it is: Provides quick playback time with short charging period

When it matters: When a short top-up needs to deliver useful playback before you leave.

Importance: MEDIUM

Battery capacity

What it is: Total energy storage of the internal battery

When it matters: When you are estimating how much battery headroom the design may have before relying only on the official runtime claim.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=720 mAh

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Design

6.6

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Jabra

Form factor

What it is: Overall design type of the headphones (over-ear, on-ear, in-ear, etc.)

When it matters: When comfort, portability, and isolation depend on the overall headphone style.

Importance: HIGH

over-ear

Weight

What it is: Total weight of the headphones

When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <150 g

Acoustic design

What it is: Type of acoustic design (open-back, closed-back, semi-open)

When it matters: When you need the right balance of isolation, leakage, and soundstage.

Importance: HIGH

closed-back

Clamp force

What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head

When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Jabra Elite 85H vs the average headphone

Why is Jabra Elite 85H better than the average headphone?

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Active noise cancellation
Jabra Elite 85H supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
What it is: Reduces background noise using active technology
When it matters: When blocking office, travel, or aircraft noise is a priority.
Importance: HIGH
Jabra Elite 85H supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
EQ customization
Jabra Elite 85H supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
What it is: Allows customization of sound profile via equalizer
When it matters: When the stock tuning is not enough and you want to shape bass, mids, or treble to match your taste.
Importance: MEDIUM
Jabra Elite 85H supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.
More flexible connectivity
Jabra Elite 85H offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
supports both wireless and wired connectivity.
What it is: Available connection methods (wired, wireless, Bluetooth, etc.)
When it matters: When the headphones need to match how you listen across wired and wireless devices.
Importance: HIGH
Jabra Elite 85H offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.wireless vs wired
Clear call microphone
Jabra Elite 85H offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
What it is: Built-in microphone reduces background noise during calls
When it matters: When you take calls in busy spaces and want your voice to stay clearer.
Importance: MEDIUM
Jabra Elite 85H offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Jabra Elite 85H has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
What it is: Lowest audio frequency the headphones can reproduce
When it matters: When deeper bass extension matters for your music or movie listening.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=10 Hz
Jabra Elite 85H has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.10 Hz vs 18 Hz
On-device controls
Jabra Elite 85H includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
What it is: Physical controls available directly on headphones
When it matters: When you need playback, volume, or call controls to be easy to reach without pulling out your phone.
Importance: MEDIUM
Jabra Elite 85H includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
7 more microphones
Jabra Elite 85H has more microphones than the average headphone (8 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
What it is: Total number of built-in microphones
When it matters: When call pickup quality and beamforming support matter to you.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
Jabra Elite 85H has more microphones than the average headphone (8 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.8 vs 1
21 mm more spacious earcup width
Jabra Elite 85H offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (64 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
What it is: Internal width of the earcup cavity
When it matters: When earcup fit affects comfort and pressure around your ears.
Importance: MEDIUM
Jabra Elite 85H offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (64 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.64 mm vs 43 mm
21 mm more spacious earcup width
Jabra Elite 85H offers more spacious earcup width than the average headphone (64 mm vs 43 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 43 mm.
Foldable design
Jabra Elite 85H has a foldable design, the average headphone does not. 61% of headphones are foldable.
Water resistance
Jabra Elite 85H is water resistant, the average headphone is not. 20.2% of headphones are water resistant.
4 mm more spacious earcup height
Jabra Elite 85H offers more spacious earcup height than the average headphone (64 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
Better IP rating
Jabra Elite 85H has a better IP rating than the average headphone (IP52 vs none). The average headphones have an IP rating of none.
Active noise cancellation
Jabra Elite 85H supports active noise cancellation, the average headphone does not. 27.4% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
8 Hz lower bass extension
Jabra Elite 85H has a lower lowest frequency than the average headphone (10 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
0.44 dB tighter channel balance
Jabra Elite 85H has a lower channel balance tolerance than the average headphone (0 dB vs 0.47 dB). The average headphones have channel balance tolerance of 0.47 dB.
USB-C charging
Jabra Elite 85H uses USB-C charging, the average headphone does not. 29.4% of headphones use USB Type-C.
11 hours longer battery life
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher battery life than the average headphone (41 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life of 30 hours.
Rechargeable battery
Jabra Elite 85H has a rechargeable battery, the average headphone does not. 47.9% of headphones have a rechargeable battery.
6 hours longer ANC battery life
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher battery life with ANC than the average headphone (36 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
Play while charging
Jabra Elite 85H can play while charging, the average headphone cannot. 55.9% of headphones support play while charging.
21.7% higher battery capacity
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher battery capacity than the average headphone (730 mAh vs 600 mAh). The average headphones have a battery capacity of 600 mAh.
More flexible connectivity
Jabra Elite 85H offers more flexible connectivity than the average headphone (wireless vs wired). The average headphones support wired connectivity.
Clear call microphone
Jabra Elite 85H offers a clear call microphone, while the average headphone does not. 45.6% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
On-device controls
Jabra Elite 85H includes on-device controls, the average headphone does not. 46.8% of headphones support on-device controls.
7 more microphones
Jabra Elite 85H has more microphones than the average headphone (8 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
Wind noise reduction
Jabra Elite 85H reduces wind noise, the average headphone does not. 34.1% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
Sidetone support
Jabra Elite 85H supports sidetone, the average headphone does not. 29.7% of headphones support sidetone.
Quick mic mute
Jabra Elite 85H includes a quick mic mute, the average headphone does not. 33.5% of headphones support a mute function.
EQ customization
Jabra Elite 85H supports EQ customization, the average headphone does not. 23.3% of headphones support EQ.

Calls & Controls

Why is Jabra Elite 85H worse than the average headphone?

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35.8% higher weight
Jabra Elite 85H is heavier than the average headphone (296 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
0.6 higher clamp force
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
No neodymium magnet
Jabra Elite 85H does not use neodymium magnets, the average headphone does. 77.4% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
0.75 hours longer charging time
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher charging time than the average headphone (2.8 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
source range 2.5-3 h.
72.5 ms higher audio latency
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (200 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
35.8% higher weight
Jabra Elite 85H is heavier than the average headphone (296 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
What it is: Total weight of the headphones
When it matters: When long listening sessions make wearing comfort more important.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <150 g
Jabra Elite 85H is heavier than the average headphone (296 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.296 g vs 218 g
72.5 ms higher audio latency
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (200 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.
What it is: Delay between audio and video in wireless mode
When it matters: When you watch video or play games and need sound to stay in sync.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <60 ms
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher audio latency than the average headphone (200 ms vs 127.5 ms). The average headphones have audio latency of 127.5 ms.200 ms vs 127.5 ms
0.75 hours longer charging time
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher charging time than the average headphone (2.8 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.
source range 2.5-3 h.
What it is: Time required for a full battery charge
When it matters: When you often need the headphones ready again after short breaks.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <=2 hours
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher charging time than the average headphone (2.8 hours vs 2 hours). The average headphones need 2 hours to charge.2.75 hours vs 2 hours
2.56x more expensive
Jabra Elite 85H is more expensive than the average headphone (£230 vs £90).
Jabra Elite 85H is more expensive than the average headphone (£230 vs £90).£230 vs £90
No neodymium magnet
Jabra Elite 85H does not use neodymium magnets, the average headphone does. 77.4% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
What it is: Uses neodymium magnets for stronger, clearer sound
When it matters: When driver construction details are part of how you compare sound hardware.
Importance: LOW
Jabra Elite 85H does not use neodymium magnets, the average headphone does. 77.4% of headphones use neodymium magnets.
0.6 higher clamp force
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
What it is: Amount of clamping pressure applied to the head
When it matters: When comfort and fit security matter during long sessions.
Importance: MEDIUM
Jabra Elite 85H has a higher clamp force than the average headphone (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.4.9 vs 4.3

Graphic comparison of Jabra Elite 85H and

Attribute category

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: June 2026)

What customers like about Jabra Elite 85H?

Class-leading battery life (up to 36 hours with ANC on)
Exceptional call quality with an 8-microphone array
Highly comfortable fit suitable for long listening sessions
Intuitive physical button controls and auto-pause head sensors
Sturdy build with water and dust resistance (nano-coating)
Effective passive noise isolation due to thick ear padding
Multipoint Bluetooth allows connection to two devices simultaneously

What customers dislike about Jabra Elite 85H?

ANC performance lags behind top-tier competitors like Sony and Bose
Lacks support for high-end audio codecs (no aptX or LDAC)
Bass response can feel thin or underwhelming without EQ adjustment
Bulky design may feel heavy or large for some users
Software SmartSound AI can be slow to adapt to new environments
Limited official support and feature compatibility with Windows PCs
Heats up during extended use, causing ears to sweat

Expert reviews

soundguys.com

18/05/2023

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review - SoundGuys SoundGuys

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear headphones, priced under $250, offer an exceptionally comfortable, durable, and water-resistant design with robust features like Bluetooth 5.0, a six-microphone array for call quality, and roughly 36 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. Notable advantages include highly effective passive isolation and a strong companion app that allows for significant sound customization. However, the headphones face drawbacks in active noise cancellation, failing to match top-tier competitors, particularly with low-frequency sounds. Furthermore, the lack of high-quality codecs (aptX/LDAC) and an under-emphasized bass profile, which requires app adjustment, may deter audiophiles.

techgearlab.com

02/04/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review | Tested & Rated - TechGearLab

The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium pair of wireless headphones that offers strong value by pairing great performance with unique features at a $250 list price, undercutting top-shelf flagship competitors. On the positive side, the review highlights highly immersive, lifelike sound quality with clear instrument separation, powerful bass, and crisp vocals. Comfort is a major strong suit, featuring generous faux-leather cushioning on the headband and earcups that allowed testers to wear them comfortably for over 10 hours a day. Furthermore, they excel in user friendliness with clever on-head sensors that automatically pause and play music when you take the headphones off or put them back on. The headphones also stand out visually with eye-catching colors and a unique woven fabric aesthetic, and they include a protective semi-hard travel case. However, the review points out several notable drawbacks, particularly that both sound quality and active noise cancellation (ANC) fall just short of being the best in the field compared to premium models from Bose or Sony. For audio enthusiasts, a key con is the lack of support for high-quality Bluetooth...

headphonereview.com

19/08/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h over-ear noise cancelling headphones review - Headphone Review

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear noise-canceling headphones are a strong, well-built option in the premium wireless market, offering excellent performance and smart functionality. Key pros highlighted in the review include their comfortable fit with memory foam padding, a clean fabric-covered design, and a modern USB-C charging port. They feature smart automation like automatic audio pausing when removed, customizability through the Jabra Sound+ app, and an exceptional battery life of up to 36 hours with ANC enabled (or 41 hours without it). On the downside, the review notes a few cons, including a slightly bulky ear cup design and headphones that can occasionally run a bit warm during long listening sessions. The automated "SmartSound" AI listening mode feature proved to be somewhat inconsistent, leading the reviewer to disable it. Additionally, while the sound quality is overall good and features a thick, punchy bass, it lacks extension at both the absolute low and high ends of the frequency spectrum compared to top-tier competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM3.

techielass.com

28/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85H Review - TechieLass

The Jabra Elite 85H is an understated, streamlined lifestyle headset that delivers a well-rounded and enjoyable sound quality across diverse music genres. The setup process is highly intuitive, pairing seamlessly via Bluetooth with smartphones and laptops. Users benefit from the Jabra Sound+ companion app, which allows custom sound configurations based on location or music preferences, alongside highly effective Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and HearThrough technologies. Additionally, the headphones excel in battery longevity, lasting through extended use without draining, and come with a generous travel kit including a sturdy carry case, a flight adapter, and standard cables. However, the headphones present notable drawbacks regarding connectivity, comfort, and call performance. The Bluetooth functionality fails to connect to certain devices like the iPad Air 2, forcing users to rely on a physical 3.5mm cable. While relatively manageable at 300g, the headset feels clumsy and bulky when worn with regular glasses or sunglasses. Outbound call quality is a major disappointment; while the user can hear recipients clearly, the microphone struggles to pick up the user's voice properly during live conversations, sometimes requiring them to...

themasterswitch.com

21/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85H Review | The Master Switch

The Jabra Elite 85H ($300) is a stylish pair of wireless over-ear headphones that features a standout, fabric-covered design and highly intuitive controls, such as automatically powering on when the earcups are rotated and pausing music when removed. The audio performance is warm, welcoming, and non-fatiguing, offering an impressive balance of detailed highs, smooth mids, and punchy, fresh bass that outperforms the more expensive Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Additionally, they deliver exceptional, class-leading microphone call quality and an extraordinary battery life that realistically lasts around 33 hours on a single charge with noise-cancelling activated. Despite these strengths, the headphones fall short in critical technical areas, most notably its sub-par active noise cancellation, which fails to block out low-frequency rumble as effectively as top competitors from Sony and Bose. The automated "SmartSound" environment-tracking feature proves too erratic for practical use, excessively switching profiles and interrupting audio with annoying voice notifications. Furthermore, the headphones lack high-quality audio codecs like aptX, AAC, and LDAC, and users will encounter a noticeable lag when triggering smart virtual assistants via the dedicated hardware button.

techradar.com

10/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review - TechRadar

The Jabra Elite 85h headphones stand out as a highly comfortable and stylish over-ear entry into the premium active noise-cancelling (ANC) market, offering a minimalistic design featuring a distinctive meshed-fabric material on the headband and ear cups. Performance-wise, they deliver exceptionally strong, well-balanced, and warm audio that rivals the Bose QuietComfort 35 II, coupled with a vacuum-free ANC system that blocks out environmental noise smoothly. Their biggest strength lies in a class-leading battery life, providing an incredible 36 hours of playback with ANC turned on and up to 41 hours with it disabled, alongside a fast-charging capability that yields five hours of use from a 15-minute charge. Additionally, the headphones feature an automatic power system that toggles on and off when you twist the ear cups, impressive voice clarity via an eight-microphone array, and a smart AI feature called SmartSound that dynamically scales noise cancellation based on your physical surroundings. Despite these stellar attributes, the headphones have a few notable drawbacks that might deter audiophiles. The most significant con is the complete lack of support for high-end audio codecs like...

pcmag.com

04/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review - PCMag

The PCMag review of the $299.99 Jabra Elite 85h highlights these over-the-ear wireless headphones as a top-tier product boasting powerful audio performance with deep bass and bright highs, alongside exceptional comfort featuring generous memory foam padding. The device also offers a robust companion app for adjustable EQ and Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). PCMagHowever, cons include the high price point and the tendency for the ANC to slightly alter the sound signature by boosting low-frequency depth. Additionally, the review notes weak Amazon Alexa integration and that the on-ear controls could be designed better.

cnet.com

25/05/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review: This excellent noise-canceling headphone excels at making calls - CNET

The Jabra Elite 85h ($300) is a premium wireless over-ear headphone designed to compete directly with flagship models from Bose and Sony, distinguishing itself with superior call quality and extensive physical controls rather than touch panels. A major standout feature is its exceptional 36-hour battery life with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on (41 hours without), complete with a fast-charging USB-C port that yields 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. In terms of performance, the headphones deliver impressive, highly effective SmartSound adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to environmental changes. The audio profile is slightly brighter with more detail and a punchier, deeper bass compared to the smoother Sony WH-1000XM3, featuring a clear, natural midrange that highlights vocals beautifully. Additionally, they offer convenient automated features like pausing music when taken off and instantly powering on when removed from their case. Despite these strengths, the review notes several design and connectivity drawbacks. At 296 grams, the headphones are heavier than their Bose and Sony counterparts, making them slightly less comfortable for extended wear. Furthermore, the headband has a limited...

rtings.com

09/05/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones Review - RTINGS.com

The Jabra Elite 85h wireless headphones are versatile over-ear headphones offering exceptional battery life, exceeding 36 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) active. They are noted for a comfortable fit, a well-balanced sound profile with punchy bass, and excellent microphone performance for calls, customizable via a companion app. Conversely, the Elite 85h struggles with isolating low-frequency sounds, making the ANC less effective against engine noise. While suitable for daily use, they lack a premium, durable feel compared to competitors and do not support high-quality Bluetooth codecs like aptX, with treble that can sometimes lack detail.

macmaniacs.at

27/09/2019

Summary of the review

Music to your ears: Jabra Elite 85h review", "A treat for your ears: Jabra Elite 85h review

The Jabra Elite 85h is a highly durable and feature-packed over-ear ANC headphone that delivers strong competition to market leaders like Bose and Sony. Designed for versatility in commuting, office work, and couch listening, the headphones feature a premium build largely covered in scratch-resistant and wind-dampening fabric. A standout innovation is its unique power mechanism: the device lacks a power button and automatically turns on or off when the earcups are rotated into or out of the listening position. The headphones offer a highly customizable audio experience through the intuitive Jabra Sound+ companion app, which allows users to manage multiple devices simultaneously, configure individual equalizer settings, and set up "Moments"—sound profiles that automatically adjust ANC and "HearThrough" ambient transparency levels based on environmental noise. Furthermore, it boasts exceptional long-term wearing comfort for users with glasses due to its ultra-soft ear cushions. Pros & Cons Pros: Innovative power control: Automatic power toggling via earcup rotation. Robust fabric design: Scratch-resistant exterior that limits wind noise. On-ear detection: Smart sensors that automatically pause and resume audio when removed or put on. Advanced app...

testr.at

18/09/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review: Over-ear headphones with ANC", "Jabra Elite 85h - Over-ear headphones with ANC review

The testr.at review of the Jabra Elite 85h highlights these over-ear headphones as a highly premium, modern, and durably built option. Key advantages include a stylish material mix of metal, memory foam, protein leather, and a unique nano-coated fabric weave that effectively repels dust and water. The headphones excel in practical usability, boasting a phenomenal 26-hour battery life with Smart Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) enabled, a modern USB-C charging port, and a robust auxiliary option for wired listening. Users receive an exceptionally well-packaged product that includes a high-quality transport case, an airplane adapter, and a sturdily built main frame utilizing underlying metal joints for flexible folding. Conversely, the reviewer highlights a few notable disadvantages regarding the design and weight. Weighing exactly 300 grams, the Elite 85h lands on the heavier side for over-ear headphones, though soft memory foam padding helps mitigate the high clamping force. Additionally, because Jabra chose a distinct fabric surface layout, the headphones completely lack touch-sensitive gesture controls. Users must rely on a physical 3-button layout on the right ear cup instead.

igorslab.de

23. Januar 2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review - Balanced Wireless Headphones

The Jabra Elite 85h is an balanced, long-travel-friendly wireless over-ear headphone that offers comfortable fit even for large hat sizes (62+) and smart usability features like automatic ear-detection and auto-power off when folded flat. On the positive side, it delivers an impressive battery life of over 30 hours with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) turned on (extending to 40 hours without it) and boasts a highly effective, AI-based "SmartSound" environmental adaptation feature via its app. Additionally, its ANC and standard listening modes are virtually noise-free, and it provides a reliable quick-charge capability that offers 5 hours of playback after just 20 minutes of charging. However, the reviewer highlights several notable drawbacks, particularly the lack of high-quality audio codecs like aptX or AAC, relying solely on the standard SBC codec which slightly compresses high-quality audio streams. The "HearThrough" transparency mode suffers from noticeable, annoying background hiss. Mechanically, the headband extension lacks distinct tactile clicks or locking notches, making it frustrating to find your ideal fit every time you wear it. Finally, the synthetic leather ear pads tend to generate sweat in warm...

hifitest.de

27/11/2019

Summary of the review

Review: Jabra Elite 85h Hi-Fi Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Jabra Elite 85h is a highly innovative, closed-back Bluetooth 5.0 over-ear headphone that delivers an honest, neutral, and dynamic sound profile across all musical genres. A major highlight of this model is its AI-driven SmartSound technology, which automatically adjusts the Smart Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) levels based on environmental audio analyzed through the companion app. Retailing around €250, the package offers excellent value, providing an expansive ear pad fit, an impressive battery life of up to 36 hours with ANC active (and 41 hours without), automatic ear-detection pausing, a location-tracking feature, and useful accessories like a hard case and flight adapter. While the headphones scored an impressive 4 out of 5 stars overall, the review notes a few specific drawbacks. Its physical fit leans heavily toward stationary comfort rather than high-intensity movement, making it unsuited for sports or rigorous exercise. On the technical side, codec support is limited to standard AAC and SBC, omitting higher-end high-resolution codecs like aptX or LDAC. Additionally, while the automated "Moments" feature optimizes isolation dynamically, users seeking uniform, maximum noise cancellation at all times...

kopfhoerer.de

25/05/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review on kopfhoerer.de", "Jabra Elite 85h tested by kopfhoerer.de

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear headphones deliver a highly customizable experience highlighted by a remarkably long battery life and an advanced, innovative Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) system. According to the kopfhoerer.de review, users can expect an impressive 36 hours of playtime with ANC enabled, which extends up to 41 hours when turned off. A quick 15-minute fast charge also provides up to 5 hours of playback. The headphones stand out with an exceptionally clear microphone system that uses up to six of its eight microphones to completely filter out loud background noise and strong wind during calls, ensuring superb voice clarity. Comfort is another major positive; the headphones feature a soft fabric-covered exterior, plush faux-leather ear cushions, and a looser fit that caters well to pressure-sensitive users, alongside reliable on-ear detection that automatically pauses music when the headset is removed. Additionally, the free Jabra Sound+ companion app unlocks massive utility, offering a 5-band equalizer, situational profile switching, and free firmware updates.

hifi.de

20/11/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review: Can It Compete with the Top Models?

The HIFI. DE review concludes that the Jabra Elite 85h is a well-built, weather-resistant over-ear headphone with exceptional features. Its primary pros include an impressive battery life of up to 36 hours with ANC on, highly effective active noise cancellation (especially for making clear phone calls), and a feature-rich Smart+ companion app. The app's "Smart-Sound" feature successfully automates audio settings based on your current surroundings, and the physical build sports a unique, clean fabric-covered design. Additionally, the reviewer noted that the headphones automatically turn off when you rotate the ear cups flat, which is highly practical for saving power. However, the review highlights some noticeable cons regarding comfort and wireless audio performance. The headphones lack high-resolution Bluetooth codecs like aptX, which leaves the standard Bluetooth sound signature feeling a bit compressed and lacking in fine, dynamic detail. Interestingly, plugging in the included 3.5mm cable completely bypasses this limitation, lifting the sound quality into the "championship league" and proving that the built-in drivers are excellent. On the physical side, the ear cups have a high clamping force that traps heat quickly,...

computerbild.de

30/05/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review: It listens well

The Jabra Elite 85h noise-cancelling headphones achieved a "good" test rating of 1.9 from COMPUTER BILD, praised for their premium fabric design, weather-resistant nano-coating, and balanced sound profile with deep, clean bass. A major highlight is the exceptional battery life, which clocked in at 37 hours and 48 minutes with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled, alongside a fast-charging feature that gives 4.5 hours of playback from a 10-minute charge. Additionally, the reviewer lauded the headphone's unique calling feature that feeds the user’s own voice back into the ear cushions, making phone conversations much more natural and preventing users from shouting. However, the review noted significant issues with the "SmartSound" AI automation feature within the Jabra Sound+ application. In real-world testing, the automated environment-switching algorithm failed to accurately identify a busy open-plan office, mistakenly turning off noise cancellation when surrounding colleagues started talking. Furthermore, the testers found the system highly intrusive because it completely interrupts the music playback to announce every single environmental mode change. The physical build is also criticized for being slightly heavy at 301 grams, causing the headband...

chip.de

31/10/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review - CHIP

The Jabra Elite 85h is a highly capable over-ear, active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphone that scored a "Very Good" (1.3) rating in testing. It delivers a warm, balanced, and rich sound profile across all music genres, which can be further enhanced using the bass-boosting options in the accompanying "Sound+" app. A major standout feature is its extraordinary battery life, offering an impressive 42 hours of continuous playback with ANC activated and over 43 hours without it. Additionally, it features a practical, button-based control system, comfortable thick ear padding, Bluetooth 5.0 with multi-point pairing for two devices simultaneously, and an automatic on/off mechanism activated simply by unfolding or folding the earcups. Despite its strong overall performance, the headphone has notable drawbacks in its feature set. While its noise-cancelling effectively blocks low-frequency sounds like engine drones, it struggles to eliminate higher-frequency background noise and voices, falling short of industry leaders like Sony. Furthermore, using the headphones via a 1.2-metre audio cable is impossible if the battery is fully drained, meaning a charged battery is mandatory even for wired operation. The device also lacks...

lesnumeriques.com

10/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review: Highly Versatile Active Noise-Cancelling Headphones

The Jabra Elite 85h is a highly successful over-ear active noise-canceling (ANC) headset that scores an impressive 5 out of 5 stars from Les Numériques. It provides a beautifully balanced, impactful, and clear audio output across the majority of the audible spectrum, featuring excellent distortion control even at higher volumes. The review highlights its extremely intuitive user experience, noting that the device automatically powers on or off when the earcups are rotated and auto-pauses music via an on-ear detection sensor. Additional major advantages include a stable Bluetooth multipoint connection, an exceptionally generous battery life exceeding 36 hours with ANC activated, a top-tier "HearThrough" transparency mode, and a highly commendable hands-free microphone system that preserves voice clarity in loud environments. It also stands out in the market for its unique 2-year weather and dust resistance warranty, paired with a neat, foldable design and highly customizable adjustments via the Jabra Sound+ application. Despite its premium status, the review points out several performance flaws that keep it slightly behind its top-tier competitors, such as the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose QC35 II. On the...

journalmetro.com

04/07/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review: Indestructible

The Jabra Elite 85h headphones deliver a highly competitive performance, primarily distinguished by an exceptional battery life and superior call quality. The device provides an outstanding 36 hours of playtime on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) activated, extending beyond 40 hours when listening to music alone. Furthermore, it features a rapid 15-minute quick charge that yields 5 hours of playback, and it impressively retains its battery life even after a full year of non-use. For phone calls, the headphones leverage six of their eight built-in microphones to block out environmental noise, ensuring crisp and clear voice transmission. The physical design is functional and user-friendly, incorporating tactile physical buttons that prevent accidental presses, auto-pause wear-detection sensors, and a smart mechanism that powers down the unit completely when the earcups are folded inward. It also provides a robust 2-year warranty against water and dust, making it resilient enough to withstand rain showers.

unsimpleclic.com

24/05/2021

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h: A Premium and Feature-Rich Headset [Review] - UnSimpleClic

Premium Build and Features The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium, over-ear wireless headset that offers an impressive mix of matte plastic, leatherette padding, and stylish fabric coverage. It skips touch gestures for discreet, highly responsive physical buttons on the earcups to control music, calls, and volume. The headset automatically powers on or off when you unfold or fold the right earcup. Combined with the feature-rich Jabra Sound+ app, users gain access to custom equalizers, a helpful "Find My Jabra" tracking tool, and an advanced "SmartSound" AI feature that continuously scans surroundings to switch between audio profiles. Outstanding Performance and Minor Flaws The reviewer considers the headphones excellent, praising the balanced, powerful audio quality and comfortable design that remains pressure-free even for users wearing glasses. Key pros include an outstanding battery life of 36 to 41 hours, a highly natural "HearThrough" ambient transparency mode, clear call quality powered by its 8-microphone system, and multi-device pairing. On the downside, the headset cannot be used in a passive wired mode once the battery dies, it cannot pair to home gaming consoles via...

20minutes.fr

31/05/2019

Summary of the review

Noise cancellation: The Jabra Elite 85h headphones outperform Bose, but fall short of Sony

The review by Christophe Séfrin for 20 Minutes evaluates the Jabra Elite 85h over-ear active noise-canceling (ANC) headphones, concluding that they outperform Bose's signature audio control options but fall short of the market-leading Sony WH-1000XM3. Tested during train and plane trips, the headset is praised for its robust, robust construction and a practical auto-power feature activated simply by unfolding the ear cups. Additional major pros highlighted include its unique IP52 certification for rain and dust resistance, an excellent 41-hour battery life (retaining 70% charge after extensive testing), outstanding phone call quality, and a highly customizable companion app featuring an audio equalizer and SmartSound environmental adjustment.

lesalexiens.fr

03/07/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review: A Premium Over-Ear Headphone

Les Alexiens rated the Jabra Elite 85h 9.2/10, praising it as a top-tier, premium over-ear headset with excellent price-to-performance, boasting a 36-hour battery life with ANC, a unique fabric-coated design, and native Amazon Alexa integration. The sound profile is described as powerful and balanced, enhanced further by custom EQ settings available in the Jabra Sound+ application. While the audio experience is high-quality, the review notes the headset, along with its included travel accessories, can be somewhat bulky, and the default sound modes may feel less deep without initial app-based adjustments. The headset stands out for its comfort and smart, automatic active noise cancellation.

leprogres.fr

02/08/2019

Summary of the review

HIGH-TECH. Jabra Elite 85h review: The surprise headset - Le Progrès

The Jabra Elite 85h is a premium, over-ear noise-canceling headphone that marks a strong entry for the brand into the high-end consumer audio market. Evaluated by Labo Fnac, it stands out for its balanced sound quality, well-controlled distortion, and exceptional battery life, lasting 34.5 hours with Active Noise Canceling (ANC) active and over 40 hours without it. Additional strengths include excellent microphone performance for voice calls, comfortable padding on the headband and earcups, IP52 dust and water resistance, a feature-rich Sound+ companion app, and handy auto-pause features controlled by proximity sensors. However, the headphones do have a few notable drawbacks. The aesthetic design is somewhat lacking in premium elegance due to its unconventional washable fabric mesh covering, which can look less chic and proves prone to staining—especially in the beige color variant. Structurally, they exert a slightly high clamping force of 505 grams-force and are quite bulky to pack away. Furthermore, while the active noise-canceling system is efficient at cutting out mid and high-frequency ambient noises, its low-frequency isolation falls short of market leaders like Sony's 1000XM3.

on-mag.fr

30/08/2019

Summary of the review

Test Jabra Elite 85h : un casque sans fil et antibruit très fonctionnel qui cache une âme audiophile - ON-mag.fr

The Jabra Elite 85h is an over-ear, active noise-canceling (ANC) wireless headset priced at €300 that offers exceptional comfort, robust build quality with metal hinges, and up to 36 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. It features an elegant textile-covered design and implements user-friendly physical control buttons alongside automatic motion-activated power sensors, rather than finicky touch controls. Its active noise cancellation and HearThrough transparency modes perform reliably via 8 integrated microphones, and the accompanying Jabra Sound+ application provides highly customizable user profiles and EQ settings. In terms of performance, the headset's main drawback is its complete lack of high-resolution Bluetooth codecs like aptX, aptX HD, or LDAC, relying instead on standard SBC and AAC wireless playback. The reviewer also noted a minor touch of treble sharpness in the upper frequencies and minor software bugs during pairing. However, its wireless acoustic presentation remains highly balanced, fatigue-free, and natural. Its biggest surprise is its stellar wired performance; switching to a cable expands the lower end by an octave, producing deeply dynamic, fast, and punchy bass alongside a wider soundstage that demonstrates...

leclaireur.fnac.com

15/07/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Lab Test: A successful entry into the premium market - L'Éclaireur Fnac

The Jabra Elite 85h is a highly capable premium over-ear headset that offers excellent audio quality, remarkably low distortion, and an exceptionally durable battery life. The Labo Fnac testing measured a vast battery endurance of 40 hours and 15 minutes over Bluetooth alone, which settles into 34 hours and 30 minutes when Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is turned on. Designed with an IP52-certified structural frame, the physical chassis is built to reliably resist dust and light water splashes. The headset replaces standard touch-sensitive panels with physical control buttons on the right ear cup for volume changes and audio tracking navigation. It also features a fully customizable experience through the highly comprehensive Jabra Sound+ mobile application. Despite these notable strengths, the Elite 85h carries distinct design and performance imperfections. The exterior features a washable fabric mesh covering that gives it a less luxurious appearance than competing premium models, and the lighter beige color option is prone to getting dirty easily. From a technical standpoint, the active noise cancellation system falls short of matching class leaders like the Sony WH-1000XM3, particularly when...

clubic.com

25/03/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review: A Great All-Rounder Bluetooth Headset", "Jabra Elite 85h Review: A Bluetooth Headphone That Excels in Every Area

The Jabra Elite 85h is a versatile, high-performing circum-aural Bluetooth headset designed to balance music listening with professional-grade calling capabilities. Weighing 296 grams, it features a discreet design blending metal, plastic, and rain-resistant fabric, accompanied by a rigid travel case and a USB-C charging port. Equipped with 40mm drivers and an impressive array of eight microphones, the headset delivers an expansive, well-balanced soundstage with accurate instrument separation and punchy dynamics. It integrates with the Jabra Sound+ mobile app, which offers a 5-band equalizer and a "SmartSound" feature that automatically adjusts active noise cancellation (ANC) and "HearThrough" ambient modes based on environmental audio analysis. Pros and Cons Active Noise Cancellation: Efficiently isolates external environment sounds. Massive Battery: Offers up to 41 hours of runtime. Smart Feature: SmartSound mode accurately switches settings based on context. Audio Fidelity: Delivers clear, faithful, and non-fatiguing playback. Comfort: Pleasant fit suitable for long hours of wear. Codec Limitation: Restricted to the basic SBC codec only. Call Quality Issues: Drops ANC during calls and has narrow voice frequencies. Background Noise: A very faint, residual background hiss is...

journaldugeek.com

26/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h: Performance in every area

The Jabra Elite 85h is an elegant yet slightly bulky over-ear wireless headset that weighs 296 grams and features an IP52-certified dust and water-resistant design utilizing grease-resistant fabric and memory foam ear cushions. It sets itself apart by avoiding touch controls in favor of reliable mechanical buttons to manage volume, tracks, active noise cancellation (ANC), and voice assistants. Operating on Bluetooth 5.0, the headphones natively integrate with the Sound+ companion application, which features the SmartSound tool to automatically adjust audio settings based on public, private, or commuting profiles. The headset's primary strengths are its exceptional battery life and fast charging performance, delivering up to 36 hours of playtime with ANC enabled (41 hours without) and gaining 5 hours of playback from a quick 10-minute charge. Notable drawbacks include its heavy build compared to rivals, an ANC system that could be more powerful, and its complete inability to play music over a wired 3.5mm jack connection once the battery is dead. Despite these minor issues, it is highly rated at 8/10 as a versatile alternative to flagship models from Sony and...

frandroid.com

02/01/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review: Our full verdict

The Jabra Elite 85h is an over-ear Bluetooth headset featuring active noise cancellation (ANC), designed to compete with industry leaders like Sony and Bose. The review praises its robust 36-to-41-hour battery life, comfortable fit despite weighing 296 grams, and stable Bluetooth 5.0 multipoint connectivity that allows pairing with two devices simultaneously. It delivers highly detailed, neutral, and clear audio quality that is particularly exceptional for vocal clarity and podcasts. Additionally, the user-friendly design features smart physical control buttons, an auto-pause sensor when removing the headset, an IP52 weather-resistant coating, and a highly natural-sounding "Hear Through" ambient mode.

es.digitaltrends.com

19/08/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h Review - Digital Trends

The Jabra Elite 85H is an impressive entry into the premium noise-canceling headphone market, challenging established giants like Sony and Bose by offering rich features and high performance at a lower price point. Designed for comfort, these over-ear headphones feature thick memory foam padding, a soft headband, and a sleek, non-reflective fabric exterior with cleverly hidden controls. They offer a warm, open sound profile that focuses on clarity across mid-range frequencies and accurately reproduces the entire frequency spectrum, rather than over-emphasizing bass. While top-tier competitors slightly outperform Jabra when isolating steady ambient droning or conversations, the Elite 85H shines at blocking sudden, percussive noises like mechanical keyboards, delivering near-flagship active noise cancellation (ANC). Its biggest advantage is an exceptional battery life that yields 36 hours of playtime with ANC enabled—outlasting its Bose and Sony rivals by 6 to 10 hours—alongside a quick-charge feature providing 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge. Other prominent pros include a robust Sound+ companion app packed with equalization settings, useful ear-detection sensors that automatically pause music, and a rare two-year warranty protecting against water...

muycomputer.com

16/09/2020

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h, all-terrain isolation - MuyComputer

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear headphones are versatile, "all-terrain" wireless devices that retail for €249.99, balancing high-quality performance for daily commutes, remote work, and casual gaming. Structurally robust and comfortable to wear for extended periods despite their 296-gram weight, they feature a convenient foldable design, premium fabric/leatherette padding, and a 40mm driver setup. The standout functionality lies in its advanced digital Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which utilizes four out of its eight total microphones to filter ambient sound. It includes intelligent custom audio modes via the Sound+ app, such as SmartSound for auto-adapting profiles to environmental noises, HearThrough for localized transparency, and an ear-detection proximity sensor that automatically pauses playback when the headphones are removed. Furthermore, its impressive USB-C charged battery lasts between 36 to 40 hours depending on your active ANC settings. On the positive side (Pros), the review highlights the exceptional build quality, intuitive touch/button controls, and highly effective multi-scenario noise cancellation that works excellently against transit and street racket. Additionally, vocal clarity during phone calls and video conferences is highly praised due to the noise-cancelling integration across...

biagiosimonetta.nova100.ilsole24ore.com

31/05/2021

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review - be smart

In his blog be smart, Biagio Simonetta delivers a highly positive review of the Jabra Elite 85hGo, positioning them firmly among the top-of-the-range options in their market segment. Tested over a two-week period, the headphones are priced at 249 euros on Amazon. The reviewer is particularly impressed by their smart features, highlighting the SmartSound technology that dynamically adapts audio to the surrounding environment, alongside highly effective active noise cancellation and HearThrough modes. Additional notable pros include an exceptional battery life that extends well over 30 hours with ANC enabled, a rapid USB-C charging capability that provides 5 hours of playback from a 15-minute charge, and an advanced 8-microphone system that delivers superb call clarity while blocking external wind noise. While the overall reception is very favorable, the review subtly points out a couple of downsides. The explicit cons are framed around the high expectations of this product tier, noting that superior call clarity is never a given with headphones of this style, and hinting at a potential design oversight for absent-minded users who frequently forget to charge their devices before...

tg24.sky.it

13/11/2019

Summary of the review

Elite 85h, the musical headphones that isolate us from the outside world

The Jabra Elite 85h wireless over-ear headphones are highly praised for their excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) and outstanding battery life. The ANC system utilizes four of the device's eight built-in microphones and adapts automatically to surrounding environments via the Jabra Sound+ companion app. Users can also quickly activate a "HearThrough" ambient mode to hear their surroundings without removing the headset. The battery performance is a major selling point, delivering up to 36 hours of playtime with active noise reduction enabled, alongside a fast-charging feature that provides 5 hours of battery life from just a 15-minute USB charge. Additionally, the headphones feature reliable smart on/off ear detection, fast connectivity, dust and rain resistance, and customisable audio presets or equaliser options through the app. Despite these stellar attributes, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks. The Elite 85h headphones are described as being somewhat larger and heavier than the market average, which might impact long-term wearing comfort for some users. Furthermore, the microphone performance and audio clarity during phone calls proved to be less convincing than the rest of the package....

ilfattoquotidiano.it

29/06/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review: Good for music and excellent for calls

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear wireless headphones deliver an exceptional calling experience alongside solid performance for daily music streaming. A standout feature is the advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system supported by SmartSound technology, which automatically switches between three customized environmental profiles ("Moments") based on background noise. The headphones feature a distinctive design utilizing premium mesh fabric on the outer earcups and headband, contrasted with comfortable faux leather padding. Additionally, they boast an impressive 36-hour battery life, rapid USB-C charging (15 minutes yields 1 hour of playback), and a highly reliable ear-detection mechanism that automatically pauses audio when the headset is removed. Despite these strengths, the review notes several technical and practical limitations. A major drawback is the complete lack of high-resolution audio codec support, such as aptX or LDAC, which limits audio fidelity for high-res tracks—though standard streaming services like Spotify or Apple Music remain unaffected. While the ANC performs well overall, the automated SmartSound system can occasionally be tricked by "false positives" in fluctuating environments. Sound-wise, the audio profile would benefit from a more pronounced, punchier bass response....

smartworld.it

31/10/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h: the smartest headphones for city life

The Jabra Elite 85h over-ear headphones are highly optimized for urban commuting, featuring an excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) system and a remarkable 36-hour battery life with ANC enabled. Built with a premium, water-resistant fabric coating, these durable 296-gram headphones prioritize clever user convenience by turning on automatically when rotating the earcups and using proximity sensors to pause audio when removed. They offer clear, balanced audio performance with deep bass and high call quality across eight integrated microphones. The dynamic SmartSound feature automatically switches audio environments—like "Commute" or "In Public"—based on ambient street noise, allowing essential ambient sound in when walking near traffic through its HearThrough mode. Key Strengths and Weaknesses Pro: Superior active noise cancellation performance. Pro: Outstanding class-leading battery life. Pro: Balanced audio profile with custom EQ. Pro: Smart features like auto-pause sensors. Con: Unstable pricing on Amazon marketplaces. Con: Occasional inconsistencies with AI SmartSound automation. Con: Thin and fragile-feeling included audio jack.

afdigitale.it

23/11/2019

Summary of the review

Jabra Elite 85h review

The AF Digitale review of the Jabra Elite 85h highlights these €299 over-ear wireless headphones as a high-end contender built to compete directly with rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bowers & Wilkins PX. Weighing 296 grams and featuring 40mm drivers, they are praised for their robust build quality, durable materials, and highly comfortable, glasses-friendly fit. The audio performance is described as full-bodied and pleasant, offering convincing bass and clear mid-to-high frequencies. Additionally, the reviewer highly commends the "Sound+" companion app for its dynamic "Smart Sound" feature, which uses the internal microphone array to automatically adapt isolation modes to the user's surroundings. On the downside, the review identifies a significant drawback: the complete lack of compatibility with high-quality audio codecs like AAC and aptX. However, this is largely offset by the standout pros, which include an exceptional 36-hour battery life with ANC enabled (extending to 41 hours when off) and a rapid 15-minute quick-charge feature that provides 5 hours of playback. The active noise cancellation (ANC)—which uses four of the headphones' eight microphones—delivers an excellent job of silencing city noise....

gadgetgear.nl

02/06/2019

Summary of the review

Review: Jabra Elite 85H noise-canceling headphones

The GadgetGear review awards the Jabra Elite 85h a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, highlighting its lifelike, natural sound profile that remains stable with active noise cancellation (ANC) enabled. Key advantages include a weather-resistant design, comfortable fit, and robust smart features. Conversely, the review notes that the ANC lacks the intensity of top-tier competitors, making it less effective against loud ambient noise. Additionally, users seeking heavy, booming bass might find the default sound profile too flat without EQ adjustments.

tweakers.net

23/10/2021

Summary of the review

Thorough and independent Jabra Elite 85h reviews

Based on user reviews on Tweakers, the Jabra Elite 85h is praised for its durable build, comfortable over-ear fit, and impressive battery life exceeding 36 hours with ANC active. Users highlight the clean sound profile, customizable via the app, along with excellent call quality and smart, swivel-to-activate convenience. However, reviewers note that while solid, the Active Noise Cancellation does not match top-tier competitors, particularly with lower-frequency sounds. Additionally, audiophiles criticize the lack of high-end Bluetooth codecs (aptX, AAC, LDAC), and note that the headphones cannot operate passively without battery power.

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