Let's dive into a detailed comparison of two popular wireless earbuds: the Beats Fit Pro ($179) and JBL Tour Pro+ ($149). Both released in late 2021, these earbuds have matured in the market and proven their capabilities. I've spent considerable time testing both, and there's a lot to unpack about who each model serves best.
True wireless earbuds have become increasingly sophisticated since their mainstream adoption. Unlike traditional Bluetooth earbuds with a connecting wire, these are completely separate units that work in harmony. Modern features like active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out ambient noise) and transparency mode (letting you hear your surroundings when needed) have become standard expectations.
When comparing earbuds today, we're looking at much more than just sound quality - we're evaluating entire ecosystems of features and compatibility.
The Beats Fit Pro and JBL Tour Pro+ take different approaches to sound delivery. The Beats offer a more dynamic, punchy sound signature that works especially well for modern music genres. Their implementation of spatial audio (which creates a 3D soundstage that adjusts as you move your head) is particularly impressive when watching movies or playing games.
I've found the JBL's more neutral sound profile to be excellent for accurate music reproduction, especially beneficial for classical music or acoustic performances. Their app offers extensive EQ customization, letting you dial in exactly the sound you prefer.
For home theater use, the Beats Fit Pro's spatial audio gives them a clear advantage. When watching movies on an iPad or Apple TV, the virtual surround sound effect adds a compelling dimension to the experience that the JBL's can't match.
This is where the products diverge significantly. The Beats Fit Pro's Apple H1 chip enables:
While these features work wonderfully within Apple's ecosystem, Android users miss out on several capabilities. The JBL Tour Pro+ takes a more universal approach, offering full functionality regardless of your phone's operating system.
Both models handle fit differently. The Beats Fit Pro uses a unique wingtip design that's proven incredibly secure - I've used them during high-intensity workouts without any stability issues. The JBL Tour Pro+ uses a more traditional design with optional fins, which works well for casual use but might not be as secure during vigorous activity.
Since their release, battery life has become increasingly important as people spend more time connected. The JBL Tour Pro+ leads here with:
The Beats Fit Pro offers:
Both support fast charging, but the JBL's wireless charging capability gives it an edge in convenience.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation, but implement it differently:
In testing, the Beats have a slight edge in noise cancellation effectiveness, especially with variable noise environments like commuting. For calls, the Beats Fit Pro's superior microphone array and wind reduction make them the better choice for frequent phone calls or video meetings.
At $179, the Beats Fit Pro commands a premium price but justifies it for Apple users with its seamless integration and spatial audio features. The JBL Tour Pro+ at $149 offers excellent value, especially for users who want platform flexibility and customization options.
Both models have received firmware updates since launch, improving stability and performance. The Beats have seen more frequent updates, particularly around spatial audio capabilities and integration with Apple services. JBL has focused on refining their app experience and EQ presets.
Your choice should primarily depend on your ecosystem and use case:
Choose Beats Fit Pro if:
Choose JBL Tour Pro+ if:
Both products represent solid choices in the premium wireless earbud category, but they serve different users best. The Beats Fit Pro excels as an Apple ecosystem product with unique spatial audio capabilities, while the JBL Tour Pro+ offers a more flexible, customizable experience that works equally well across all platforms.
| Beats Fit Pro ($179) | JBL Tour Pro+ ($149) |
|---|---|
| Ecosystem Integration - Determines how seamlessly they work with your devices | |
| Apple H1 chip with instant pairing, spatial audio, auto-switching | Platform agnostic, works equally well on all devices |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without recharging | |
| 6h (ANC on), 24h with case, no wireless charging | 8h (ANC on), 32h with case, includes wireless charging |
| Sound Profile - Affects your listening enjoyment and content compatibility | |
| Dynamic, bass-forward, with spatial audio for movies | Neutral, customizable EQ, better for acoustic music |
| Fit Security - Important for exercise and active use | |
| Secure-fit wingtips, excellent stability for workouts | Standard design with optional fins, less secure for intense movement |
| Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office use | |
| Adaptive ANC with excellent performance | Standard ANC with app customization options |
| Call Quality - Essential for work calls and meetings | |
| Superior mic array with wind reduction | Average call quality, struggles in windy conditions |
| Water Resistance - Determines durability for workouts | |
| IPX4 (splash and sweat resistant) | IPX5 (better water resistance) |
| App Features - Affects customization and control | |
| Limited features on Android, seamless on iOS | Extensive EQ and settings on all platforms |
The Beats Fit Pro ($179) offers superior movie performance thanks to spatial audio support that creates virtual surround sound. The JBL Tour Pro+ ($149) provides good stereo sound but lacks spatial audio capabilities for immersive movie watching.
The Beats Fit Pro integrates seamlessly with iPhones through the Apple H1 chip, offering instant pairing and device switching. While the JBL Tour Pro+ works with iPhones, it lacks these ecosystem advantages.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers 8 hours of playback with ANC on (32 hours total with case), while the Beats Fit Pro provides 6 hours (24 hours total with case).
Both work for TV watching, but the Beats Fit Pro has an advantage with lower latency on Apple TV and spatial audio support. The JBL Tour Pro+ may experience slight audio delay depending on your TV's Bluetooth implementation.
The Beats Fit Pro offers more effective adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to your environment. The JBL Tour Pro+ has good but less sophisticated ANC.
The Beats Fit Pro performs better for gaming due to lower latency with Apple devices and spatial audio support. The JBL Tour Pro+ isn't specifically optimized for gaming.
Both are comfortable, but the JBL Tour Pro+ may be more suitable for extended viewing as its design puts less pressure on the ear. The Beats Fit Pro wingtip design can cause fatigue after several hours.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers full functionality on Android with extensive app features. The Beats Fit Pro works with Android but loses several key features like instant pairing and spatial audio.
The Beats Fit Pro provides superior call quality with better wind reduction and voice clarity. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers adequate but less impressive call performance.
Both work well with streaming apps, but the Beats Fit Pro offers better integration with Apple TV+ and spatial audio support. The JBL Tour Pro+ provides standard stereo playback for streaming content.
The JBL Tour Pro+ at $149 offers better value for general users, especially with wireless charging included. The Beats Fit Pro at $179 justifies its higher price for Apple users who'll benefit from its ecosystem features.
Both work well for bedtime viewing, but the Beats Fit Pro edges ahead with spatial audio making movies more immersive. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers longer battery life for extended viewing sessions.
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: sixminutemile.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - pcrichard.com - expercom.com - target.com - beatsbydre.com - soundguys.com - businesswire.com - staples.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
