When it comes to choosing wireless earbuds in 2024, the landscape has evolved significantly. Today we're comparing the Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ($169.99) with the recently announced JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.99). While both are premium offerings, they take quite different approaches to personal audio.
The wireless earbud market has matured impressively since Apple first removed the headphone jack from the iPhone in 2016. The AirPods 3rd Generation launched in October 2021, bringing significant improvements like spatial audio and enhanced battery life to Apple's non-Pro lineup. Meanwhile, the JBL Tour Pro 3, announced in August 2023, represents the cutting edge of what's possible in wireless audio, with features like a smart display case and advanced noise cancellation.
Apple and JBL take notably different approaches to sound. The AirPods 3 use a single custom driver with Adaptive EQ (which automatically tunes music based on how the earbuds fit in your ears). This creates a balanced, accessible sound that works well for most music genres, podcasts, and calls.
The Tour Pro 3 employs a more sophisticated dual-driver system - think of it like having both a subwoofer and tweeter in each ear. There's a 10mm dynamic driver for powerful bass and clear vocals, plus a smaller balanced armature driver dedicated to high frequencies. For music lovers, this typically means more detail and better separation between instruments.
When it comes to watching movies, both earbuds support spatial audio, but they handle it differently. The AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking creates a convincing theater-like experience, especially with Apple TV+ content. The Tour Pro 3's JBL Spatial 360 offers similar functionality but works across more platforms and content types.
Here's where the products really diverge in philosophy:
The AirPods 3 are deeply integrated into Apple's ecosystem. They'll automatically switch between your iPhone, iPad, and Mac, show up in Find My, and offer hands-free "Hey Siri" support. It's incredibly convenient if you're invested in Apple's world, but less compelling if you use Android or Windows devices.
The Tour Pro 3 takes a platform-agnostic approach but adds unique features. The standout is the smart charging case with a touchscreen display. You can adjust settings, control playback, and even use the case as a wireless transmitter for airplane entertainment systems - a clever solution for travel.
Battery technology has improved significantly since 2021:
Both support wireless charging, but the Tour Pro 3's quick-charge feature is more efficient, providing 3 hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging.
The AirPods 3 maintain Apple's semi-open design, which some users (myself included) find more comfortable for long sessions. They don't create a seal in your ear canal, which can feel more natural but also means less passive noise isolation.
The Tour Pro 3 uses traditional in-ear tips with several size options. This creates a better seal for improved bass response and noise isolation, but some users find this style less comfortable for extended wear.
This is perhaps the starkest difference between the two:
For commuting or office work, this gives the Tour Pro 3 a significant advantage. However, the AirPods' open design can be preferable if you need to maintain awareness of your surroundings.
The AirPods 3 remain a solid choice for Apple users who want convenience and good sound quality without paying for Pro features. Their integration with Apple devices is unmatched, and at $169.99, they offer good value within their ecosystem.
The Tour Pro 3 justify their higher $299.99 price tag with superior sound quality, effective noise cancellation, and innovative features like the smart case. They're more versatile across platforms but lose some of the seamless integration that makes AirPods special in the Apple ecosystem.
Both products excel in their intended use cases, and your choice should ultimately depend on your specific needs rather than just the feature list. Consider your typical listening environment, device ecosystem, and how much you value audio quality versus convenience.
For home theater use specifically, both work well, but the Tour Pro 3's superior noise isolation and more dynamic sound make it the better choice for serious movie watching. However, if you're already using an Apple TV, the AirPods 3's seamless integration might be worth the trade-off.
| Apple AirPods 3rd Generation ($169.99) | JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.99) |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration - Affects sound quality and detail | |
| Single custom driver | Dual driver (10mm dynamic + balanced armature) |
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting or office use | |
| None | Advanced adaptive ANC with 50,000 adjustments/second |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use | |
| 6 hours (buds), 30 hours total with case | 11 hours (buds), 44 hours total with case |
| Ecosystem Integration - Affects everyday convenience | |
| Seamless Apple integration, instant device switching | Universal compatibility, but no seamless switching |
| Special Features - Added value considerations | |
| Spatial Audio, Find My tracking, "Hey Siri" | Smart case with display, Auracast sharing, LDAC codec |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (stronger water resistance) |
| Fit Style - Affects comfort and isolation | |
| Semi-open design (no seal required) | In-ear seal with multiple tip sizes |
| Charging Options - Convenience factor | |
| Wireless charging, Lightning port | Wireless charging, USB-C |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Good (dual beamforming mics) | Excellent (6 mics with wind reduction) |
| Additional Value Features - Worth considering | |
| Automatic device switching (Apple only) | Smart case can transmit audio to airplane systems |
For home theater use, the JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.99) has an edge with superior sound quality and noise isolation. However, if you use Apple TV, the AirPods 3 ($169.99) offer better integration and reliable spatial audio performance.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 features advanced adaptive noise cancellation, while the AirPods 3 don't have ANC at all. For noisy environments, JBL is clearly superior.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 offers 11 hours per charge (44 hours total with case), while AirPods 3 provide 6 hours (30 hours total with case).
The JBL Tour Pro 3 can connect to any Bluetooth-enabled TV and includes a case that works as a transmitter. AirPods 3 work best with Apple TV but can connect to other Bluetooth TVs.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 delivers superior sound quality with its dual-driver system and LDAC codec support. The AirPods 3 offer good but less detailed sound.
Neither is ideal for gaming due to Bluetooth latency. However, AirPods 3 have lower latency when used with Apple devices.
The AirPods 3 semi-open design is more comfortable for many users during long sessions, while JBL Tour Pro 3 provides better sound isolation but might cause fatigue.
Yes, both support spatial audio, but AirPods 3 work best with Apple content, while JBL Tour Pro 3 offers more universal spatial audio support.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 features six microphones with wind reduction, offering superior call quality compared to AirPods 3 dual beamforming mics.
Both are water-resistant, but JBL Tour Pro 3 has better protection (IPX5) compared to AirPods 3 (IPX4).
The JBL Tour Pro 3 is clearly better for Android users, offering full functionality. AirPods 3 lose many features outside the Apple ecosystem.
The AirPods 3 provide good value at $169.99 for Apple users. The JBL Tour Pro 3 at $299.99 justifies its higher price with superior features and sound quality, especially for home theater use.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: recordingnow.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - support.apple.com - apple.com - portableone.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - apple.com - apple.com - techradar.com - sweetwater.com - news.jbl.com - youtube.com - harmanaudio.com - jbl.com - krazykileys.ca - jbl.com - shop.menshealth.com - sweetwater.com
