Choosing between premium wireless earbuds isn't easy, especially when comparing two heavyweight contenders like the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249.99) and JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.99). Both released in mid-2024, these earbuds represent the latest in personal audio technology, but they take distinctly different approaches to winning over listeners.
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes a great pair of wireless earbuds in 2024. The basics haven't changed - sound quality, comfort, and battery life still matter enormously. But now we're seeing AI features, spatial audio (which makes sound seem like it's coming from all around you), and smart noise cancellation that adapts to your environment.
The latest wireless earbuds also support newer Bluetooth codecs - these are like languages that your phone and earbuds use to talk to each other. Better codecs mean higher quality audio can be transmitted wirelessly. Both our contenders here support the latest Bluetooth 5.3 standard, which brings improvements in connection stability and power efficiency.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro and JBL Tour Pro 3 take different approaches to delivering premium sound. Samsung uses a dual-driver system with a planar magnetic tweeter - a flat, lightweight speaker that's great at producing clear high frequencies. This is paired with a traditional dynamic driver for the low end. It's an impressive setup that delivers detailed sound with excellent separation between frequencies.
JBL's approach uses a hybrid system combining a large 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature driver (a tiny, precise speaker typically used in hearing aids and professional in-ear monitors). This combination provides powerful bass while maintaining clarity in the higher frequencies.
In my testing, both sound excellent, but there's a noticeable difference in their "signature" sound. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro lean toward a more neutral, accurate presentation that works well across all genres. The JBL Tour Pro 3 has that classic JBL sound - slightly more bass-forward and energetic, which many listeners prefer for popular music and movies.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has become increasingly sophisticated, and both models showcase this evolution. The JBL Tour Pro 3's True Adaptive Noise Cancellation 2.0 is particularly impressive, measuring your environment 50,000 times per second to adjust its noise cancellation. It's notably better at handling sudden changes in noise levels, like when someone starts talking nearby.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro's ANC is good, but not quite at the same level. However, they make up for it with excellent ambient awareness features - their ability to let in outside sound when you need to hear your surroundings. Samsung's implementation feels more natural, likely due to their AI-powered sound processing.
This is where we see a significant difference. The JBL Tour Pro 3 offers an impressive 11 hours of playtime with ANC off (8 hours with it on), plus three additional full charges from the case, totaling up to 44 hours. That's substantially more than the Galaxy Buds3 Pro's 5-6 hours per charge and roughly 20 hours total with the case.
Both support wireless charging and quick charging features, but JBL's implementation gives you more listening time from a quick top-up - about three hours of playback from a 10-minute charge.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro shine brightest when paired with Samsung devices. They offer seamless switching between Samsung devices, Galaxy AI features like real-time translation, and Samsung's 360 Audio with head tracking. These features work incredibly well within the Samsung ecosystem but are either limited or unavailable when used with other devices.
JBL takes a different approach with their smart charging case, which features a touchscreen display. You can control playback, adjust settings, and even view notifications without touching your phone. It's clever, though sometimes it feels like a solution in search of a problem.
Both sets of earbuds support spatial audio and head tracking, which can be particularly engaging when watching movies or TV shows. I've found the Galaxy Buds3 Pro's implementation to be more convincing for home theater use, especially when paired with a Samsung TV.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are notably compact and lightweight, making them comfortable for extended wearing. They use proprietary ear tips, which is somewhat annoying when you need replacements, but they do provide an excellent seal.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 are slightly larger but still comfortable. They use standard ear tips, making replacements easier to find. The larger size accommodates their bigger batteries and driver system, which many users will find a worthwhile trade-off.
The choice between the Galaxy Buds3 Pro and JBL Tour Pro 3 largely comes down to your priorities and what devices you use:
For Samsung users, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro are almost a no-brainer. The ecosystem integration and special features make them incredibly convenient, and the sound quality is excellent. They're also $50 cheaper.
For everyone else, the JBL Tour Pro 3 offer better value despite their higher price. The superior battery life, better noise cancellation, and more universal compatibility make them a more versatile choice. They're particularly good for frequent travelers or anyone who needs long battery life.
For home theater use, both work well, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro have a slight edge when paired with a Samsung TV due to their better integration and spatial audio implementation.
Budget-conscious buyers should lean toward the Galaxy Buds3 Pro, while power users who need the longest possible battery life should opt for the JBL Tour Pro 3.
Remember that both of these are excellent earbuds that represent the current state of the art in wireless audio. You're unlikely to be disappointed with either choice - it's more about finding the features and compromises that work best for your specific needs.
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($249.99) | JBL Tour Pro 3 ($299.99) |
|---|---|
| Driver Configuration - Determines sound quality and clarity | |
| Dual driver with planar tweeter | 10mm dynamic + 5.1mm balanced armature |
| Battery Life (ANC On) - Critical for extended use without charging | |
| 5 hours buds, 20 hours total with case | 8 hours buds, 32 hours total with case |
| Noise Cancellation - Important for noisy environments and travel | |
| Good ANC, excellent ambient mode | Superior ANC with advanced adaptive features |
| Special Features - Added value beyond core functions | |
| Galaxy AI, real-time translation, Samsung ecosystem benefits | Smart case with display, Auracast sharing, universal compatibility |
| Water Resistance - Crucial for workout use and durability | |
| IP57 (can handle sweat and rain) | IPX5 (splash resistant only) |
| Codec Support - Affects audio quality with compatible devices | |
| Samsung Seamless (24-bit), AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC (better universal high-res support) |
| Size/Weight - Impacts comfort during long sessions | |
| 5.4g per bud (very compact) | 5.6g per bud (slightly larger) |
| Case Features - Convenience and additional functionality | |
| Standard case with wireless charging | Smart display case with controls and audio transmitter |
| Best For - Key differentiating use cases | |
| Samsung users, compact design preference | Long battery needs, universal compatibility, frequent travelers |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro has better spatial audio implementation for movies, especially when paired with Samsung TVs. However, the JBL Tour Pro 3 offers richer bass response which some viewers prefer for action scenes and soundtracks.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 is actually $50 more expensive at $299.99 compared to the Galaxy Buds3 Pro at $249.99. The value depends on your needs - Samsung users get more features with the Buds3 Pro, while the JBL offers better battery life and universal compatibility.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 has superior noise cancellation with its True Adaptive Noise Cancellation 2.0 technology. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers good ANC but isn't quite as effective at blocking external noise.
Yes, both work well for TV viewing. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better integration with Samsung TVs, while the JBL Tour Pro 3 includes a smart case that can act as a wireless transmitter for any TV with USB or analog output.
The JBL Tour Pro 3 significantly outperforms with 8 hours (ANC on) and 32 hours total with the case, compared to the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offering 5 hours and 20 hours total.
Both work well, but the JBL Tour Pro 3 has an advantage with its LDAC codec support for higher quality audio. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro performs best within the Samsung ecosystem.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro is slightly more comfortable due to its lighter weight (5.4g vs 5.6g) and more compact design compared to the JBL Tour Pro 3.
Both support multipoint connectivity, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro switches more seamlessly between Samsung devices. The JBL Tour Pro 3 offers more universal device compatibility.
Both perform well, but the Galaxy Buds3 Pro has slightly lower latency when paired with Samsung devices. The JBL Tour Pro 3 maintains consistent latency across all platforms.
Both excel at call quality, but the JBL Tour Pro 3 edges out with its 6-microphone array and advanced wind noise reduction. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro still performs admirably with clear voice pickup.
Both work excellently with streaming services. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers better spatial audio with Samsung devices, while the JBL Tour Pro 3 provides consistent performance across all platforms.
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro has superior water resistance with an IP57 rating, making it more durable than the JBL Tour Pro 3 which has an IPX5 rating.
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: head-fi.org - soundguys.com - yankodesign.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - phonearena.com - cdw.com - soundguys.com - youtube.com - samsung.com - cnet.com - samsung.com - techradar.com - sweetwater.com - news.jbl.com - youtube.com - harmanaudio.com - jbl.com - krazykileys.ca - jbl.com - shop.menshealth.com - sweetwater.com
