The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since Apple first removed the headphone jack from iPhones in 2016. Today's premium offerings like the Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds ($179) and JBL Tour Pro+ True Wireless Headphones ($149.94) represent the cutting edge of what's possible in tiny, cord-free audio devices.
Let's explore how these two popular options stack up in 2024, breaking down everything from sound quality to real-world usability.
Bose released the original QuietComfort earbuds in September 2020, with significant updates in 2022 and 2024. Each iteration has brought improvements to noise cancellation and battery life, with the latest version offering an impressive 8.5 hours per charge. The current model is 30% smaller than the original while delivering better sound quality.
JBL's Tour Pro+ series, launched in early 2022, took a different approach by focusing on customization and feature-rich software integration. While slightly older, they've received multiple firmware updates to enhance performance and add features.
The QuietComfort earbuds deliver what audio enthusiasts call a "neutral" sound signature. This means they try to reproduce music exactly as it was recorded, without artificially boosting any frequencies. The bass is tight and accurate, vocals are crystal clear, and high frequencies sparkle without becoming harsh.
Having tested these extensively in both quiet rooms and noisy environments, I've found they excel at revealing subtle details in complex musical arrangements. You'll hear background instruments and vocal harmonies that often get lost with lesser earbuds.
The Tour Pro+ takes a more customizable approach. Out of the box, they have a warmer sound with more emphasized bass - something many listeners prefer for modern music genres like hip-hop and electronic dance music. Through the JBL app, you can adjust the sound significantly using the built-in equalizer.
Noise cancellation technology works by using tiny microphones to detect outside sounds, then creating inverse sound waves to cancel them out - like adding negative numbers to positive ones to get zero.
Bose has long been the industry leader in noise cancellation, and it shows. The QuietComfort offers 11 levels of adjustment, letting you fine-tune exactly how much of the outside world you want to block. In testing, they excel at blocking both constant sounds (like airplane engines) and variable noise (like office chatter).
The Tour Pro+ offers good noise cancellation, but with less granular control. It's perfectly adequate for most situations, but in direct comparison, you'll notice it doesn't quite match the Bose's ability to create complete silence.
Modern wireless earbuds have largely solved the battery anxiety of earlier generations. Both models offer enough runtime for full workdays:
Bose QuietComfort:
JBL Tour Pro+:
Both manufacturers have put significant research into ergonomics, but they've taken different approaches:
The Bose QuietComfort uses a proprietary ear tip design with flexible wings that spread pressure evenly. They come with three sizes of tips and wings, making it easier to find a secure fit. They're IPX4 water-resistant, meaning they can handle sweat and light rain.
The JBL Tour Pro+ uses more traditional silicone tips but adds optional mini-fins for stability. They offer better water resistance with an IPX5 rating, making them slightly more suitable for intense workouts.
While both models can connect to smart TVs and streaming devices, they're not specifically optimized for home theater use. The Bose has slightly lower latency (delay between video and audio), making it better for watching movies. However, neither matches the performance of dedicated home theater headphones.
The price difference between these models (about $30 at regular pricing) isn't huge at this premium level, but it's worth considering what you're getting for your money.
The Bose QuietComfort justifies its higher price through superior noise cancellation and battery life. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more features and customization at a slightly lower price point.
Ask yourself these questions:
Both models represent excellent choices in the premium wireless earbud market. The Bose QuietComfort excels in pure performance metrics like noise cancellation and battery life, while the JBL Tour Pro+ offers more features and customization at a slightly lower price point.
For most users, the decision will come down to priorities. If you want the absolute best noise cancellation and don't mind paying a premium, go with the Bose. If you prefer more control over your sound and want to save a bit of money, the JBL is an excellent choice.
Remember that both manufacturers regularly update their companion apps, so features and performance can improve over time through software updates. Either way, you'll be getting a capable set of premium wireless earbuds that should serve you well for years to come.
| Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds | JBL Tour Pro+ True Wireless Headphones |
|---|---|
| Price - Initial investment for premium features | |
| $179 (often on sale for $129) | $149.94 |
| Battery Life - Critical for all-day use without interruption | |
| 8.5 hours per charge, 31.5 total with case | 6 hours per charge, 24 total with case |
| Noise Cancellation - Key feature for commuting and office work | |
| Industry-leading with 11 adjustment levels | Good but basic ANC with fewer adjustment options |
| Water Resistance - Important for workout use and durability | |
| IPX4 (splash resistant) | IPX5 (better protection against water) |
| Sound Signature - Affects how music will sound to your ears | |
| Balanced, neutral profile (better for acoustic, classical) | Warmer with stronger bass (better for modern genres) |
| Sound Customization - Ability to adjust to your preferences | |
| Limited EQ options | Extensive EQ controls with multiple presets |
| Quick Charge - How much playback from a short charge | |
| 15 minutes for 2 hours playback | 10 minutes for 3 hours playback |
| Case Size - Affects pocket-ability and portability | |
| Compact but slightly bulky | Slimmer profile, more pocket-friendly |
| Voice Assistant Integration - Convenience for hands-free control | |
| Basic voice assistant support | Advanced features including wake-word detection |
| Call Quality - Important for work calls and meetings | |
| Superior wind reduction, clear voice pickup | Good but can struggle in windy conditions |
The Bose QuietComfort True Wireless Earbuds offer slightly lower latency and better noise cancellation, making them the better choice for movie watching. While both provide good audio quality, the Bose's superior sound isolation creates a more immersive home theater experience.
The Bose QuietComfort at $179 versus the JBL Tour Pro+ at $149.94 represents good value if noise cancellation and battery life are priorities. However, if you're primarily using them for music and don't need elite noise cancellation, the JBL's lower price point offers excellent value.
The Bose QuietComfort leads with 8.5 hours per charge and 31.5 total hours with the case, while the JBL Tour Pro+ provides 6 hours per charge and 24 total hours with the case.
Both models can connect to smart TVs via Bluetooth, but the Bose QuietComfort has lower audio latency, making it better suited for TV watching. However, neither matches dedicated wireless TV headphones for synchronization.
The Bose QuietComfort offers superior noise cancellation with 11 adjustment levels, significantly outperforming the JBL Tour Pro+ in this area. This makes the Bose better for noisy environments or travel.
The JBL Tour Pro+ has better water resistance (IPX5 vs IPX4) and a more secure fit for active use, making it the better choice for workouts and running.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more extensive EQ customization through its app, while the Bose QuietComfort provides limited sound adjustment options but excellent out-of-the-box tuning.
The Bose QuietComfort performs better for calls with superior wind reduction and clearer voice pickup, making it the better choice for frequent business calls or video conferences.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more advanced voice assistant features, including wake-word detection, while the Bose provides basic voice assistant support.
Neither is specifically designed for gaming due to Bluetooth latency. For gaming, we recommend dedicated gaming headsets instead of either the Bose or JBL models.
The Bose QuietComfort typically offers better long-term comfort with its pressure-distributing design, making it more suitable for extended movie watching or binge sessions.
Both models support multipoint pairing, but the Bose QuietComfort offers a more seamless switching experience between devices compared to the JBL Tour 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: techradar.com - rtings.com - global.bose.com - cnet.com - bose.com - bestbuy.com - tomsguide.com - abt.com - boselatam.com - boseapac.com - audioxpress.com - cdw.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
