Jawbone has been one of my go-to brands for Bluetooth earpieces for a long time. I have used several of them, including the Icon and the previous ERA, so when the new Jawbone ERA went on sale, I ordered one right away to see what had actually changed.
The big question for me was simple: is the new ERA just smaller, or did Jawbone improve the parts that matter in daily use, like comfort, noise cancellation, audio quality, and charging?
Quick Answer
The new Jawbone ERA is noticeably smaller than the previous ERA, keeps the familiar hardware layout, and adds a redesigned ear fit system that looks like a real improvement. The optional charging case is also useful if you rely on your Bluetooth headset throughout the day, though it does cost extra.
This first look is not a full sound-quality review yet. Out of the box, the new ERA looks promising, especially for people who already liked Jawbone’s noise cancellation and wanted something lighter and easier to carry.
What Comes In The Box
This unit was ordered directly from Jawbone on the day it went on sale, and it arrived with the optional charging case. The packaging was a simple black box, without the kind of retail labeling I would normally expect to see on a store shelf.
Inside the box, Jawbone included the headset, a short starter booklet, a small flexible USB to micro USB charging cable, and several ear pieces marked by size and side. The included ear pieces are labeled for medium right, medium left, and large right fit options.
The charging cable is similar to what Jawbone has included with earlier models. It is short, flexible, and uses micro USB, which keeps it consistent with the older ERA accessories.
The New ERA Is Much Smaller
The first thing that stands out is the size. Compared side by side with the older Jawbone ERA, the new model is clearly smaller. The old ERA was already light, but the new one feels tiny in the hand.
The Jawbone Icon is shorter than the old ERA, but it is thicker. The new ERA looks like Jawbone was trying to keep the headset compact without making it feel bulky in the ear.
Because this was an unboxing and first look, I had not spent time wearing it yet. But based on the weight and size, it looks like the kind of headset that should almost disappear once it is in place.
Noise Cancellation Is Still The Main Reason To Care
The reason I have liked Jawbone headsets is the noise cancellation. The older ERA had stronger noise cancellation than some of Jawbone’s earlier models, and the new ERA is supposed to improve on that again.
Jawbone’s approach is not just about having microphones. The headset has a small rubber sensor that rests against your face. When you talk, your jaw creates vibrations, and that sensor helps the headset understand when your voice is active.
In simple terms, when your jaw is moving, the headset knows to pay attention to your voice. When it is not, it can cut down the background noise more aggressively. That is the part I am most interested in testing in the full review.
The Ear Fit Looks Better
The new rubber ear piece looks like a step forward from the older ERA design. It has a loop-style shape that should help hold the headset in place inside the ear.
I have used similar loop-style ear pieces on other headsets, including my BlueBuds X, and that kind of design can work really well when it is shaped correctly. Since the new ERA is so small and light, a secure ear piece matters even more.
On my older ERA, I actually kept using an ear piece from a previous Jawbone model because I liked the little triangle section better. It stayed in my ear more reliably. The new ERA ear piece looks like Jawbone may have addressed that.
The Charging Case Is Useful But Not Perfect
I bought the version with the charging case. It costs more, but for the way I use Bluetooth earpieces, having extra power on the go is worth considering.
The case acts like a small mobile battery for the headset. You can charge the ERA normally with the cable, or place it into the case so the case can recharge it while you are out.
My first impression of the case is mixed. The charging idea is good, and I like being able to top off the headset without hunting for a cable. But when the ERA is stored in the case, part of the headset still sticks out more than I expected. I originally thought the whole thing would fit inside more cleanly.
At launch, the ERA by itself was around $100, while the bundle with the charging case was around $130. You could buy the case later, but it appeared to cost more separately, which makes the bundle the better value if you already know you want it.
Small Hardware Details
The physical switch layout is familiar if you have used the older ERA. I like that Jawbone kept a solid switch instead of making everything feel too hidden or touch-based.
The new switch also seems to stick out a little more, which is a good thing. On some earlier models, the switch could be a little hard to grab, especially when the headset was new.
One quality issue I had with the previous ERA was the finish around the front grille area. The older model looked like it had a silver grille, but over time that finish wore away. It did not take as long as I expected, and that was disappointing for a headset I used often.
With the new ERA, I will be watching long-term build quality closely. A first look can tell you size, fit, and design, but it cannot tell you how the finish will hold up after weeks or months of daily use.
Audio Quality Claims
Jawbone is also talking about better audio quality with the new ERA, including wider-spectrum audio. That matters because more people are using Bluetooth headsets for more than phone calls now.
A headset like this may be used for calls, music, video chat, podcasts, and quick audio throughout the day. If the audio quality is better than the older ERA, that would make the smaller size more meaningful.
I am not ready to judge that from the unboxing alone. The full review needs real-world testing with calls, background noise, fit over time, and actual listening.
Key Takeaways
- The new Jawbone ERA is much smaller than the previous ERA and still feels extremely light.
- Jawbone kept its voice-focused noise cancellation design, including the jaw vibration sensor.
- The redesigned ear pieces look more secure and more comfortable than the older ERA tips.
- The optional charging case is useful for all-day use, but the headset does not disappear fully inside it.
- The ERA alone was about $100 at launch, while the charging case bundle was about $130.
- A full review is still needed before judging call quality, audio quality, battery life, and long-term comfort.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full unboxing, side-by-side look at the older Jawbone ERA and Icon, and my first hands-on impressions of the new headset and charging case.
