When it comes to picking wireless earbuds in 2024, two interesting options are the budget-friendly Jabra Elite 4 Active at $69.99 and the premium JBL Tour Pro 3 at $299.95. Let's explore how these earbuds stack up and who they're best suited for.
True wireless earbuds have come a long way since Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016. Today's models offer impressive features like active noise cancellation (which uses microphones to detect and cancel out environmental noise), spatial audio (creating a 3D-like sound experience), and smart features that were unimaginable just a few years ago.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active launched in March 2022, bringing many premium features to a more affordable price point. The JBL Tour Pro 3, released in late 2023, represents the cutting edge of what's possible in wireless earbuds, though at a significantly higher price.
Sound quality remains the most important factor for most users, and these earbuds take different approaches:
The Jabra Elite 4 Active uses a single dynamic driver (think of it as one speaker per ear) tuned for a balanced sound profile. It supports the standard SBC Bluetooth codec and aptX, which allows for better quality audio streaming on Android devices. The sound is clean and neutral, though it lacks some of the deep bass that many users enjoy.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 employs a more sophisticated dual-driver system - imagine having two specialized speakers per ear. One handles bass and midrange, while the other focuses on high frequencies. This results in clearer, more detailed sound, especially noticeable in complex musical passages. It also supports LDAC, Sony's high-quality Bluetooth codec that can transmit nearly three times more data than standard Bluetooth.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), but the implementation differs significantly:
The Jabra's ANC is basic but functional. It helps reduce constant low-frequency sounds like airplane engines or train noise, but struggles with irregular sounds and voices. This is perfectly fine for casual use but might disappoint if you're frequently in very noisy environments.
The JBL takes noise cancellation to another level with its "True Adaptive" system. It measures your ear canal's shape and adjusts the noise cancellation accordingly. In testing, it rivals top performers like Sony and Bose, making it a better choice for frequent travelers or office workers who need serious noise reduction.
Both offer transparency modes (called HearThrough on the Jabra) that let you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds. The JBL's implementation is more natural-sounding, but both work well for quick conversations or staying aware while running.
Battery life has improved dramatically in recent years, and both models show this:
The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers 7 hours of playback with ANC on, and the case provides three additional charges for a total of 28 hours. That's plenty for most users, though it lacks wireless charging.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 pushes further with 11 hours per charge (ANC off) and 44 hours total with the case. It also supports wireless charging and fast charging, providing 3 hours of playback from just 10 minutes of charging.
This is where the price difference becomes most apparent:
The Jabra offers solid basics: a good companion app with EQ adjustment, button customization, and find my earbuds functionality. It supports Google Fast Pair for quick Android connections and has physical buttons that work reliably even with wet hands.
The JBL introduces several innovative features: a smart charging case with a touchscreen display (letting you control music and settings without your phone), spatial audio with head tracking, and Auracast support for sharing audio with nearby compatible devices. It's also one of the first earbuds to support Bluetooth 5.3, offering more stable connections and better battery efficiency.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active shines here with its IP57 rating, meaning it's fully protected against dust and can survive being submerged in water up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes. The secure fit makes it excellent for workouts.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 focuses more on comfort than ruggedness, though it still offers decent sweat resistance. Its larger size might not suit smaller ears, but it includes multiple ear tip sizes for a customizable fit.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active represents exceptional value at $69.99. You get most of the features that mattered most in premium earbuds from just a couple of years ago: good sound quality, basic ANC, solid battery life, and excellent durability. It's perfect for:
The JBL Tour Pro 3 at $299.95 is for those who want the latest and greatest. Its premium features justify the price if you:
While neither model is specifically designed for home theater use, the JBL Tour Pro 3's support for LDAC and lower latency codecs makes it a better choice if you plan to use them with your TV. The smart case can even act as a Bluetooth transmitter for devices that don't have Bluetooth built-in, making it more versatile for home theater applications.
Consider your primary use case:
Neither choice is wrong - it's about matching the features to your needs and budget. Both represent solid values in their respective price brackets, and both will serve you well for years to come.
| Jabra Elite 4 Active $69.99 | JBL Tour Pro 3 $299.95 |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration - Determines sound quality and detail | |
| Single 6mm dynamic driver (good for most users) | Hybrid dual-driver system (notably better audio quality) |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) - Critical for commuting and travel | |
| Basic ANC (handles constant noise only) | Adaptive ANC 2.0 (excellent for all noise types) |
| Battery Life - Important for daily convenience | |
| 28 hours total (7h buds + case) | 44 hours total (11h buds + case) |
| Water/Dust Resistance - Crucial for exercise use | |
| IP57 (fully waterproof) | IPX4 (splash resistant only) |
| Charging Options - Affects convenience | |
| USB-C only | USB-C and wireless charging |
| Special Features - Can justify price premium | |
| Basic app controls, workout-focused | Smart case with display, spatial audio, Auracast sharing |
| Bluetooth Codecs - Impacts audio quality | |
| SBC, aptX (good for Android) | SBC, AAC, LDAC (superior audio possible) |
| Fit Style - Affects comfort and stability | |
| Compact, secure fit for sports | Larger size, comfort-focused design |
| Call Quality - Important for work use | |
| 4-mic system (good for casual calls) | 6-mic system with wind reduction (excellent for all conditions) |
| Value Proposition - Overall worth | |
| Excellent value for basic needs | Premium features at premium price |
The JBL Tour Pro 3 at $299.95 is significantly better for home theater use due to its LDAC codec support and lower latency. Its smart case can also act as a Bluetooth transmitter for non-Bluetooth devices. The Jabra Elite 4 Active at $69.99 works for basic TV watching but may experience audio delay.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 offers superior battery life with 44 hours total (11 hours per charge), while the Jabra Elite 4 Active provides 28 hours total (7 hours per charge).
The price difference ($230) is justified if you need premium features like superior noise cancellation, spatial audio, or the smart case. For basic use, the Jabra Elite 4 Active offers excellent value.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 features significantly better noise cancellation with its adaptive ANC 2.0 system. The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers basic ANC that mainly handles constant, low-frequency noise.
Yes, both work for movies, but the JBL Tour Pro 3 offers better audio sync and spatial audio features for a more immersive experience.
The Jabra Elite 4 Active is better for workouts with its IP57 waterproof rating and secure fit design. The JBL Tour Pro 3 is more suited for casual use.
Neither is optimal for gaming due to Bluetooth latency. For gaming, consider dedicated gaming headphones instead.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 delivers superior sound quality with its dual-driver system and advanced codec support. The Jabra Elite 4 Active offers good but basic sound quality.
Both support Bluetooth multipoint connection, allowing connection to two devices simultaneously.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 offers better call quality with its 6-mic system and wind reduction technology, compared to the Jabra Elite 4 Active's 4-mic system.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 supports spatial audio with head tracking, while the Jabra Elite 4 Active does not offer this feature.
If budget is a concern, the Jabra Elite 4 Active at $69.99 offers good performance for casual TV watching. However, if you're serious about home theater use, the JBL Tour Pro 3 at $299.95 provides a notably better experience with its advanced features and superior audio quality.
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: soundguys.com - blog.ear-phone-review.com - camelcamelcamel.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - headphonecheck.com - jabra.com - youtube.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - jabra.com - techradar.com - sweetwater.com - news.jbl.com - youtube.com - harmanaudio.com - jbl.com - krazykileys.ca - jbl.com - shop.menshealth.com - sweetwater.com
