As wireless earbuds continue to dominate the personal audio market, choosing between models can be challenging. Today, we'll compare two popular options: the Beats Powerbeats Pro(/product1) and JBL Tour Pro+(/product2), breaking down exactly what you get for your money and who each model serves best.
True wireless earbuds (TWS) have come a long way since Apple's original AirPods launched in 2016. Both of our contenders represent different approaches to solving common wireless earbud challenges. The Powerbeats Pro launched in May 2019, bringing Apple's H1 chip technology to a sports-focused design. The JBL Tour Pro+ arrived later in May 2021, incorporating newer features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and wireless charging that had become standard by then.
The Powerbeats Pro's defining feature is its ear hook design. These hooks, while making the earbuds larger overall, provide unmatched stability during intense activities. Having tested these during everything from running to CrossFit, I can confirm they simply don't fall out. The IPX4 water resistance rating means they'll handle sweat and light rain, though you shouldn't submerge them.
JBL took a more traditional TWS approach, focusing on a compact design with silicon tips and stabilizer rings. The IPX5 rating offers slightly better water protection than the Powerbeats. While they're secure enough for light exercise, they're really designed for daily commuting and office use, where their ANC technology shines.
Both earbuds deliver impressive audio, but they take different approaches:
For home theater use, the JBL's lower latency and ANC make it a better choice for quiet movie watching, though neither matches over-ear headphones for this purpose.
The Powerbeats Pro leads in single-charge battery life:
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers:
The Powerbeats Pro's H1 chip provides seamless integration with iOS devices, including:
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers:
After extensive testing, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
The Powerbeats Pro at $129.99 represents good value for:
The JBL Tour Pro+ at $149.94 justifies its higher price through:
Both earbuds excel in their intended use cases. The Powerbeats Pro remains the gold standard for sports and activity-focused users, while the JBL Tour Pro+ offers a more feature-rich experience for daily commuters and office workers.
The technology gap between their release dates shows in features like ANC and wireless charging, but the Powerbeats Pro's focused approach to sports use remains relevant. Choose based on your primary use case rather than features alone, and you'll likely be satisfied with either option.
Remember to check current prices, as both models frequently go on sale, which can significantly impact the value proposition. Whichever you choose, both represent capable entries in the premium wireless earbud market.
| Beats Powerbeats Pro ($129.99) | JBL Tour Pro+ ($149.94) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation - Critical for commuting and office work | |
| None | Yes, with adjustable levels |
| Battery Life - Important for all-day use without charging | |
| 9 hours (24 more with case) | 8 hours, 6 with ANC (24 more with case) |
| Water Resistance - Essential for workout durability | |
| IPX4 (sweat and splash resistant) | IPX5 (better water protection) |
| Fit Style - Determines stability during movement | |
| Ear hooks (extremely secure for athletics) | Traditional in-ear (moderate security) |
| Sound Customization - Affects long-term satisfaction | |
| Fixed sound profile | Adjustable EQ through app |
| Charging Options - Convenience feature | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and Wireless Qi charging |
| Special Features - Integration benefits | |
| Apple H1 chip, instant iOS pairing | Multi-device connection, ambient mode |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| Good in most conditions | Better in quiet environments, struggles with wind |
| Weight Per Earbud - Affects comfort during long sessions | |
| 20g (heavier due to hooks) | 15g (lighter, more comfortable) |
| Case Size - Impacts portability | |
| Large (due to ear hooks) | Compact (more pocket-friendly) |
The JBL Tour Pro+ is better for home theater use due to its active noise cancellation and lower latency. While the Beats Powerbeats Pro works fine for movies, it lacks ANC which helps create a more immersive viewing experience.
The JBL Tour Pro+ is more comfortable for extended viewing as it's lighter and doesn't have ear hooks. The Powerbeats Pro can cause fatigue during long sessions due to the ear hook design.
The JBL Tour Pro+ edges ahead with customizable EQ settings and better sound isolation. The Powerbeats Pro offers good sound but lacks customization options for different content types.
Both work with any Bluetooth-enabled TV, but the JBL Tour Pro+ offers lower latency for better audio-video sync. The Powerbeats Pro may experience slight delay depending on the TV model.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro offers 9 hours of continuous playback versus 8 hours (6 with ANC) for the JBL Tour Pro+. Both provide enough battery for most viewing sessions.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers better multi-device connectivity. The Powerbeats Pro excels with Apple devices but is less flexible with other platforms.
At $149.94, the JBL Tour Pro+ offers more features like ANC and wireless charging. The Powerbeats Pro at $129.99 is better value if you prioritize sports use or Apple integration.
Yes, but differently. The Powerbeats Pro works best with Siri, while the JBL Tour Pro+ supports multiple assistants including Google and Alexa.
The JBL Tour Pro+ is superior with active noise cancellation. The Powerbeats Pro only offers passive noise isolation.
The Powerbeats Pro supports audio sharing with other Apple headphones. The JBL Tour Pro+ doesn't have this feature.
The JBL Tour Pro+ is more comfortable for side-lying due to its compact design. The Powerbeats Pro's ear hooks can be uncomfortable against pillows.
Neither fully supports spatial audio like Apple AirPods Pro, but the JBL Tour Pro+ offers better virtual surround sound features than the Powerbeats Pro.
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: rtings.com - mddevicerepair.com - adambowie.com - verizon.com - globalmobilesinc.com - costco.com - support.apple.com - soundguys.com - techshop.umich.edu - cnet.com - rcwilley.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
