Jabra Evolve2 Buds vs. Jabra Evolve2 85: Which One Wins?

Jabra is a leader in professional grade audio devices, with a wide range of wireless headsets designed for different use cases. Two of their popular models are the Jabra Evolve2 Buds true wireless earbuds, and the Jabra Evolve2 85 over-ear Bluetooth headphones. But how do you choose between portable earbuds or full-sized headphones aimed at office use?

I‘ve tested out both headsets extensively, and in this in-depth comparison I‘ll analyze all the key factors to determine whether the Jabra Evolve2 Buds or Jabra Evolve2 85 come out on top.

Jabra Evolve2 Buds vs. Evolve2 85: Side-by-Side Comparison

First let‘s look at how the core specs stack up:

Feature	Jabra Evolve2 Buds	Jabra Evolve2 85
Price	$269	$549
Bluetooth	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	10 hours	30 hours
Noise Cancellation	Yes	Yes
Wireless Range	65 ft.	100 ft.
Microphone Control	Yes	Yes
Frequency Response	20Hz-20kHz	20Hz-20kHz
Charge Time	2 hours	2.2 hours
Weight	52g	286g

This table gives you an at-a-glance sense of how they measure up. Below I‘ll do a deeper dive on the key considerations.

Best for Professional Use: Jabra Evolve2 85

The Jabra Evolve2 85 is purpose-built with work usage in mind, and it shows.

This over-ear headset starts with excellent noise isolation thanks to plush ear cushions that fully enclose your ears. Then it adds great active noise cancellation (ANC) that works wonders in an office. Voices come through loud and clear without background noise thanks to the ANC and leak-tolerant boom mic.

With a massive 37 hours of talk time per charge, you likely won‘t have to top up the battery more than once a week with average full time use. The quick charge gives you a solid 8 hours from just 15 minutes of charging.

Smart features like the busy light let coworkers know when you‘re on a call, while the Microsoft Teams optimization ensures seamless integration. The desktop charging stand, carry case, and included 3.5mm audio cable round out a very complete professional package.

If you want one headset to rely on for important work calls, the Jabra Evolve2 85 is extremely capable. It‘s on the pricey side but delivers better audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life than most competitors aimed at UC platforms. Well worth the investment for heavy daily use.

Top Comfort: Jabra Evolve2 Buds

Need a more portable headset that can keep up with your on-the-go lifestyle? Check out the Jabra Evolve2 Buds.

As true wireless earbuds, the Jabra Evolve2 Buds excel at portability and comfort. The included ear tips come in three sizes so you can get a secure in-ear fit. At only 5.4g per bud, you barely notice them in your ears, even during longer listening sessions or workouts.

The Evolve2 Buds squeeze impressive battery life out of such a petite package, giving you up to 10 hours per charge. The USB adapter provides rock solid connectivity up to 65 feet away from your device.

Audio comes through clearly thanks to the 6mm drivers and noise isolating fit. I especially like how the transparency mode lets in ambient sound when you need situational awareness. Controls are intuitive with push buttons on each earbud.

While the ANC isn‘t as robust as over-ear models, it‘s very solid for true wireless buds. These are an awesome choice if you want connectivity across devices with long battery life in a highly portable form factor. I use mine constantly and they handle everything from video calls to streaming shows seamlessly.

Key Differences Between the Jabra Evolve2 Models

Now that we‘ve covered the highlights of each headset, let‘s analyze how they compare across some key factors:

Design

• Over-ear vs earbuds form factors – both comfortable but serve different needs
• Much heavier headset (286g vs 52g) but better noise isolation
• More color and material options with the Evolve2 85

Features

• 85 model has some extras like busy light, flight adapter, wired audio cable
• Buds have ultra portable charging case
• More LED indicators and "find my buds" feature on Evolve2 Buds

Connectivity

• Evolve2 85 has greater 100 ft wireless range
• But the Buds have latest Bluetooth 5.2
• 85 model can connect via 3.5mm audio cable when battery dies

Battery Life

• 85 gets 30 hours vs 10 hours talk time for the Buds
• However Buds offer 33 hrs total including charging case
• Both have fast charging to quickly top up battery

Audio Quality

• 40mm vs 6mm drivers, better clarity on 85 but still very good on Buds
• More noise cancelling mics on 85 model (10 vs 6 mics)
• 85 optimized for UC platforms while Buds better for video calls

Microphone

• Excellent noise cancellation across both models
• Leak-tolerant boom mic on 85 model
• Extra hearing protection and wind noise reduction on Buds

As you can see, while the Jabra Evolve2 85 takes the crown when it comes to battery life, noise cancellation and sound quality – the portable Buds hold their own. The choice comes down to your specific needs.

8 Must-Know Facts About the Jabra Evolve2 Models

To recap the key differences:

1. The Evolve2 85 gets 10 more hours of listening time per charge
2. But the Buds offer ultra portable charging on the go
3. Wireless range is far superior on the 85 headset
4. Both headsets have adjustable settings via the Jabra Sound+ mobile app
5. Models vary in terms of included accessories
6. The over-ear design of the 85 allows for larger, more powerful drivers
7. Evolve2 Buds have latest connectivity tech with Bluetooth 5.2
8. 85 headset integrates directly with softphones including Microsoft Teams

Recent Updates

Jabra continually rolls out firmware updates to extend functionality.

In February 2023, the Evolve2 85 received an update to improve noise cancellation and enable connectivity with the Jabra Sound+ app. No major changes have come out yet for the Evolve2 Buds.

What Does the Future Hold?

As a leader in call quality, we can expect Jabra to build on these headsets with new innovations:

• Longer battery life – Improved battery technology will likely boost close to 50 hours of listening time as the standard
• Enhanced noise cancellation – More advanced algorithms that detect and cancel ambient sound across more frequencies
• New style options – More color and material choices to match personal preference
• Expanded app connectivity – Deeper integration with productivity platforms and smart assistants

I anticipate both the Jabra Evolve2 Buds and Evolve2 85 will remain highly competitive choices even as new models come out. Their excellent core performance will stay relevant for many years.

Jabra Evolve2 Buds or Evolve2 85: Which Should You Buy?

So when all‘s said and done, which Jabra wireless headset reigns supreme?

For audio quality, noise cancellation, and seamless connectivity across devices – I have to give the win to the Jabra Evolve2 85. Simply put, it‘s built for business. With crystal clear microphone performance plus 30 hours of battery life, it has the endurance and intelligence that professionals need.

That said, if having a super portable headset is most important for your lifestyle, the Jabra Evolve2 Buds make more sense. The ultra compact charging case, IP57 waterproofing, and HearThrough mode still set these apart. Plus excellent connectivity and controls make these a pleasure to use on the move.

Hopefully this detailed look at the strengths of the Jabra Evolve2 Buds vs Jabra Evolve2 85 gives you clarity on the better choice depending on your needs. Both deliver signature Jabra call quality and usability, just tailored for different use cases.

You really can‘t go wrong with either pick! Now grab the one that fits your lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jabra Headsets

Is Jabra noise-cancelling?

Yes, all Jabra headsets feature some level of noise-cancellation technology to block out ambient sounds. Their over-ear models like the Evolve2 85 have the most advanced noise cancellation capabilities.

How do I get rid of background noise on Jabra?

Turn on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to filter out nearby noises on compatible Jabra models. This works very effectively to remove keyboard clicks, chatter, and other distractions.

Is Jabra better than Bose?

When it comes to headset audio quality, Jabra competes closely with top brands like Bose. Where they stand apart more is call clarity and microphone performance. So Jabra tends to be a better choice optimized for calls versus just music listening.

How long do Jabra earbuds last?

Battery lifespan varies by Jabra model. The Jabra Evolve2 Buds offer around 10 hours playtime per charge, with up to 33 hours including the charges from the charging case. Over-ear models like the Evolve2 85 last even longer on a single charge.

Can you overcharge Jabra?

It‘s best not to leave any Jabra headphones plugged in constantly once fully charged, as overcharging will degrade maximum battery capacity over time. Allow battery to drain closer to 20% before recharging.

In Conclusion

That sums up my complete analysis comparing the excellent Jabra Evolve2 Buds and Jabra Evolve2 85 headsets. Let me know in the comments which model you prefer!