Jabra continues to develop its cable-free in-ears in increments of ten and the Elite 75t just got an ANC upgrade via update ( Elite 75t ) They’re now launching the Elite 85t, which is equipped with a more powerful adaptive noise reduction system.

Jabra’s Elite 85t offer an outstanding number of features to go along with good sound and noise canceling that rivals or beats the best in the business. They’re also comfortable, as durable or more so than all major competitors, and they’re incredibly nimble when compared to top-tier picks like...

Outstanding features and design; Rich; balanced sound; Impressive noise canceling

Not as sport-friendly as other Jabra buds

Jabra’s $180 Elite 75t and $200 Elite Active 75t are two of the best true wireless earbuds you can buy. They’re comfortable, they sound great, they have decent battery life, and they can resist a lot of water and dust. And as of October, they also have active noise cancellation (ANC). Who could ask for anything more? And yet, more is exactly the goal of the new $230 Jabra Elite 85t, which promise better sound and improved noise-canceling thanks to a new hybrid ANC system. They also aim to end occlusion — that feeling some people get when wearing in-ear earbuds that their ears are stuffed with cotton. Lofty goals indeed. Did Jabra succeed? Let’s find out. First, some praise for Jabra: The Elite 85t ship in a very small and fully recyclable box. A few tiny plastic adhesive labels remain, but for the most part, it’s an exceptionally environmentally friendly package. Inside that box are the Elite 85t, already nestled in their charging case, a USB-C charging cable, two sets of silicone eart...

Very comfortable; Excellent sound quality; Excellent noise cancellation; Customizable controls; Excellent call quality; Wireless charging;

Average battery life; No aptX or LDAC;

Over the last several years, Jabra’s true wireless earbuds have consistently earned positive reviews and are often at the top of recommendation lists for people who aren’t interested in Apple’s AirPods.

Good noise cancellation; Excellent on-earbud controls; Comfortable; airy fit; Bluetooth multipoint

Less bass than Elite 75t; IPX4 water / sweat resistance is a downgrade; Only the right earbud can be used independently; New eartips aren't quite as snug

The true wireless Jabra Elite 85t earphones deliver top-shelf noise cancellation and excellent audio performance, both of which you can tune to your taste.

Powerful audio performance with boosted bass and sculpted highs; Top-notch noise cancellation; Adjustable EQ and on-ear controls; Water-resistant design

Expensive; Default sound signature isn't for those seeking accuracy

Jabra's top earplug model does not take up much space. But it is filled with good solutions.

Excellent and variable noise reduction. The case can be charged wirelessly.

Not aptX support. The noise reduction detracts from the sound quality.

The Jabra Elite 75t is my standard go-to earbuds for outside running and just recently was provided with an update that adds a level of active noise-cancellation. Jabra also now offers the Jabra Elite 85t that was designed and built with ANC at its core.

Excellent sound quality; Simple; large buttons for control; Advanced smartphone application; HearThrough mode for safety; Six mics for good quality calling; Wireless charging case

Only the right earbud can be used individually; Too large for secure workout use

Solid ANC; natural-sounding transparency mode; adjustable EQ; connects to multiple devices simultaneously

Doesn't fit as well as the Elite 75t due to new design

The Jabra Elite 85t—just like the Jabra Elite 75t and Jabra Elite 65t before them—are excellent earphones. Now with active noise canceling, Jabra's flagship true wireless earphones make a compelling case for your upgrade. However, a high pricetag might be out of your reach.

Adjustable noise cancelling and HearThrough; Bluetooth 5.1; USB-C; wireless; and fast charging; Bluetooth multipoint; IPX4 water-resistance; Useful mobile app; Ergonomic ear tips

Cost; SBC/AAC only; no aptX; Connection issues possible

When it comes to high-end true wireless earbuds, there are Apple AirPods Pro and then there’s everyone else. That’s how it has been—at least in my mind—for the last 12 months. The Jabra Elite/Active 75t have been the closest competitor, so I’ve been looking forward to the incoming 85t since Jabra...

Excellent sound quality; Good; comfortable fit; Incredible ANC; Great battery life and wireless charging

SideTone could sound a little more natural