If you're shopping for premium wireless earbuds in 2024, you've likely come across the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99) and JBL Tour Pro+ ($149.94). Let's dive into how these earbuds compare and which might be right for you.
Wireless earbuds have come a long way since the first AirPods launched in 2016. Today's models pack impressive technology into tiny packages - from active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and counter outside noise) to spatial audio (creating a 3D sound experience that follows your head movements).
The AirPods Pro 2 released in late 2022 brought significant improvements over the original Pro model, including better noise cancellation and a new H2 chip for improved sound processing. The JBL Tour Pro+, launched in mid-2021, represents JBL's premium offering with features like adaptive noise cancellation and a unique digital display on the charging case.
Both earbuds deliver excellent sound, but they take different approaches:
The AirPods Pro 2 focus on balanced, accurate sound reproduction. Their new custom driver and amplifier create crisp highs and controlled bass. What really sets them apart is Spatial Audio - it's like having a mini home theater in your ears, with sound that seems to come from all around you. When watching movies, this creates an impressively immersive experience that the JBL can't match.
The JBL Tour Pro+ leans toward a more traditional "fun" sound signature with punchy bass. While they don't have spatial audio, they offer more sound customization through their app's equalizer. This means you can adjust the sound to your preferences, whether you want extra bass for workouts or clearer vocals for podcasts.
Here's where we see some significant differences:
The AirPods Pro 2's noise cancellation is simply better. Apple claims it blocks up to twice as much noise as the first generation, and in real-world use, it's noticeably more effective at silencing both constant sounds (like airplane engines) and irregular noises (like office chatter).
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers good noise cancellation, particularly for low-frequency sounds, but it's not quite at the same level. However, both earbuds feature awareness modes (called Transparency mode on AirPods and Ambient Aware on JBL) that let you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds.
The JBL Tour Pro+ wins on paper with up to 8 hours of playback with noise cancellation enabled, compared to 6 hours for the AirPods Pro 2. Both cases provide multiple additional charges - 30 hours total for AirPods Pro 2 and 32 hours for the Tour Pro+.
Both support wireless charging, but the AirPods Pro 2 case adds conveniences like MagSafe compatibility (magnetic alignment with compatible chargers) and the ability to charge with an Apple Watch charger.
This is where your choice of phone becomes crucial:
If you use an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 offer an unmatched experience. They instantly pair with all your Apple devices, automatically switch between them, and offer hands-free Siri access. The Find My feature helps locate lost earbuds, and you can even use them as basic hearing aids with the Conversation Boost feature.
The JBL Tour Pro+ works well with both Android and iOS but offers a more platform-neutral experience. Their unique charging case with a touchscreen display lets you control various settings without using your phone - a genuinely useful feature that Apple doesn't match.
Both earbuds are comfortable for long listening sessions and include multiple tip sizes to help you find the right fit. The AirPods Pro 2 are slightly lighter and have an IPX4 water resistance rating (protected against splashes), while the JBL Tour Pro+ offers IPX5 (can handle sustained water spray).
At current prices ($189.99 for AirPods Pro 2 vs $149.94 for JBL Tour Pro+), both offer good value for different reasons:
The AirPods Pro 2 justify their higher price through superior noise cancellation, spatial audio, and tight Apple integration. If these features matter to you, they're worth the extra cost.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offer excellent sound quality, longer battery life, and more customization at a lower price point. They're a particularly good value for Android users who won't benefit from Apple-specific features.
Here's a straightforward way to choose:
For home theater use, the AirPods Pro 2's spatial audio makes them the clear winner, creating a more cinematic experience. However, the JBL's stronger bass response might appeal to action movie fans.
Remember that both are excellent earbuds - your specific needs and preferences should guide your choice more than any minor technical differences. Whether you choose the premium features and Apple integration of the AirPods Pro 2 or the customization and value of the JBL Tour Pro+, you'll be getting a capable set of wireless earbuds that should serve you well for years to come.
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($189.99) | JBL Tour Pro+ ($149.94) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office work | |
| Industry-leading ANC with adaptive features | Good ANC, primarily effective for low frequencies |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without charging | |
| 6 hours per charge, 30 hours with case | 8 hours per charge, 32 hours with case |
| Sound Signature - Determines your listening experience | |
| Balanced, accurate sound with superior clarity | Bass-forward with customizable EQ settings |
| Special Features - Can justify price difference | |
| Spatial Audio, Find My tracking, Conversation Boost | Digital touchscreen case, multi-device pairing |
| Device Integration - Affects ease of use | |
| Seamless Apple ecosystem, limited Android support | Works equally well with all devices |
| Water Resistance - Important for exercise use | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (sustained spray resistant) |
| Case Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| USB-C, MagSafe, Qi, Apple Watch charger compatible | USB-C, Qi wireless charging |
| Voice Assistant Support - Hands-free control | |
| Native Siri integration, hands-free "Hey Siri" | Alexa and Google Assistant support, button activated |
| Call Quality - Important for business use | |
| Superior voice clarity, better wind reduction | Good clarity indoors, struggles in windy conditions |
| Value Proposition - Bang for buck | |
| Higher price justified for Apple users and ANC needs | Better value for Android users and bass lovers |
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are superior for movie watching due to their Spatial Audio feature, which creates a theater-like surround sound experience. The JBL Tour Pro+ offer good sound but lack this immersive technology.
For Apple users, the AirPods Pro 2 at $189.99 justify their higher price through better noise cancellation and ecosystem integration. The JBL Tour Pro+ at $149.94 offer better value for Android users or those prioritizing battery life.
The JBL Tour Pro+ wins with 8 hours per charge compared to 6 hours for the AirPods Pro 2. Both cases provide about 30 hours of total playback time.
Both work with Bluetooth-enabled TVs, but the AirPods Pro 2 offer lower latency with Apple TV devices. The JBL Tour Pro+ may experience slight audio delay with some TV setups.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer superior noise cancellation, especially for variable sounds. The JBL Tour Pro+ are good but primarily effective for low-frequency noise.
The AirPods Pro 2 provide clearer call quality and better wind noise reduction. The JBL Tour Pro+ perform adequately indoors but struggle in outdoor conditions.
The JBL Tour Pro+ are better suited for Android users, offering full functionality and customization. The AirPods Pro 2 lose several key features when not used with Apple devices.
The AirPods Pro 2 have lower latency with Apple devices, making them better for gaming. The JBL Tour Pro+ may have noticeable audio delay in gaming scenarios.
The AirPods Pro 2 offer more balanced, accurate sound, while the JBL Tour Pro+ provide stronger bass and more sound customization options through their app.
Both work well, but the AirPods Pro 2 have better noise cancellation for flight noise. The JBL Tour Pro+ offer longer battery life for long flights.
The AirPods Pro 2 seamlessly switch between Apple devices, while the JBL Tour Pro+ offer standard Bluetooth multi-device pairing for any platform.
The JBL Tour Pro+ have slightly better water resistance (IPX5 vs IPX4), while the AirPods Pro 2 have better build quality and a more compact case.
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 - apple.com - cnet.com - hearingreview.com - target.com - support.apple.com - costco.com - cnet.com - quill.com - digitaltrends.com - harmanaudio.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - tomsguide.com - jbl.com - bestbuy.com - seriousinsights.net - mm.jbl.com - support.jbl.com - bigapplebuddy.com
