Whether you're diving into wireless earbuds for the first time or upgrading your current pair, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and JBL Tour Pro+ represent two compelling but different approaches to premium audio. Let's break down everything you need to know to make the right choice.
The wireless earbud market has evolved dramatically since Apple launched the original AirPods in 2016. Today's premium earbuds pack incredible technology into tiny packages – we're talking advanced noise cancellation, spatial audio processing (which makes sound appear to come from all around you), and smart features that would have seemed like science fiction just a few years ago.
Both the Galaxy Buds3 Pro ($189.99) and JBL Tour Pro+ ($299.99) launched in mid-2024, representing the latest advances in wireless audio technology. They've both learned from earlier generations, particularly in areas like battery life and connection stability that used to plague wireless earbuds.
When it comes to audio quality, both products take different approaches to delivering premium sound:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses a dual-driver system (think of it like having both a tweeter and a woofer in each ear) that separates high and low frequencies for clearer sound. If you're using a recent Samsung phone or tablet, you'll get access to their 24-bit audio codec, which provides noticeably better sound quality than standard Bluetooth audio. In testing, I've found this makes a real difference when listening to high-quality music streams from services like Tidal or Amazon Music HD.
The JBL Tour Pro+ takes a more traditional single-driver approach but combines it with JBL's signature sound tuning. The bass is particularly impressive – if you enjoy genres like hip-hop or electronic music, you'll appreciate the extra punch. The companion app includes an excellent equalizer that lets you fine-tune the sound to your preferences.
Here's where things get interesting. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are deeply integrated into the Samsung ecosystem. If you use a Samsung phone, you'll get:
The JBL Tour Pro+, while lacking this deep integration with any specific ecosystem, works equally well with all devices. This makes it a more versatile choice if you switch between different brands of phones or want to use the earbuds with multiple devices.
Both earbuds offer active noise cancellation (ANC), which uses microphones to detect external noise and create anti-noise waves to cancel it out. However, they handle it differently:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses an adaptive system that automatically adjusts to your environment. In testing, it's particularly effective at blocking out consistent noises like airplane engines or air conditioners. The ambient sound mode (which lets you hear your surroundings) sounds more natural than previous generations.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers more manual control over noise cancellation levels but doesn't adapt automatically. Its ambient aware feature includes voice focus technology that helps amplify conversations while keeping other background noise at bay.
In the battery department, the JBL Tour Pro+ takes the lead:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers:
Both cases support wireless charging, which is convenient if you already have a wireless charger for your phone.
Comfort is subjective, but both manufacturers have made improvements in their latest models. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro are notably smaller than their predecessors and include three sizes of ear tips. The JBL Tour Pro+ comes with five sizes of silicone tips plus a pair of foam tips, offering more options for finding the perfect fit.
Both earbuds offer touch controls, but they implement them differently:
The Galaxy Buds3 Pro uses a combination of taps and touches that are highly customizable through the Galaxy Wearable app. The voice detect feature automatically lowers your music and enables ambient sound when you start speaking – particularly useful for quick conversations.
The JBL Tour Pro+ offers similar touch controls but adds swipe gestures for volume control. Its app includes some unique features like personi-fi, which creates a custom sound profile based on your hearing.
For home theater use, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro has a slight edge thanks to its 360 Audio feature, which creates a virtual surround sound effect when watching compatible content. The low latency connection (when used with Samsung TVs) means you won't experience lip-sync issues.
The JBL Tour Pro+ works well for TV watching too, but doesn't offer specialized spatial audio features. However, its longer battery life might be preferable for movie marathons.
Choose the Galaxy Buds3 Pro if:
Choose the JBL Tour Pro+ if:
At $189.99, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers exceptional value, especially for Samsung users. The JBL Tour Pro+ at $299.99 is pricier but justifies its cost with superior battery life and platform-agnostic features.
Remember that both models represent significant improvements over their predecessors. The Galaxy Buds3 Pro's dual-driver system and improved ANC make it a worthy upgrade from the Buds2 Pro, while the JBL Tour Pro+ builds on JBL's audio expertise with modern features and excellent battery life.
For most users, especially those with Samsung devices, the Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers the better value. However, if you're platform-agnostic and prioritize battery life and sound customization, the JBL Tour Pro+ is worth the extra investment.
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | JBL Tour Pro+ |
|---|---|
| Price - Your baseline investment decision | |
| $189.99 (excellent value for features) | $299.99 (premium pricing) |
| Battery Life with ANC - Critical for daily use without recharging | |
| 5.2 hours buds, 20 hours total with case | 6 hours buds, 24 hours total with case |
| Driver Configuration - Impacts sound quality and detail | |
| Dual driver (separate tweeter & woofer) | Single 6.8mm dynamic driver |
| Water Resistance - Important for workout use or rain | |
| IP57 (fully protected against dust, water-resistant) | IPX5 (water-resistant, less protected) |
| Noise Cancellation Type - Affects how well it adapts to different environments | |
| Adaptive (automatically adjusts to surroundings) | Manual adjustment (more control but requires user input) |
| Ecosystem Integration - Critical for accessing all features | |
| Deep Samsung integration, limited on other devices | Universal compatibility, consistent experience |
| Spatial Audio - Important for immersive movie watching | |
| 360 Audio with head tracking | Basic stereo only |
| Codec Support - Affects maximum audio quality possible | |
| 24-bit on Samsung devices, standard elsewhere | Standard codecs only |
| Extra Features - Could justify price difference | |
| Real-time translation, voice detect, Galaxy AI | Superior EQ control, better call quality |
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro is superior for movie watching due to its 360 Audio feature with head tracking, creating a virtual surround sound experience. The JBL Tour Pro+ offers good stereo sound but lacks spatial audio features.
At $189.99, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers excellent value, especially for Samsung device users. The features and sound quality match or exceed more expensive competitors.
Yes, the JBL Tour Pro+ works equally well with all devices, offering consistent performance regardless of your phone or tablet brand.
The JBL Tour Pro+ leads with 6 hours (ANC on) and 24 total hours with the case, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers 5.2 hours and 20 total hours.
Both work well for TV, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro has lower latency with Samsung TVs and better spatial audio features for home theater use.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers more advanced adaptive noise cancellation that automatically adjusts to your environment, while the JBL Tour Pro+ requires manual adjustment.
Both support calls, but the JBL Tour Pro+ generally performs better for call quality with its superior microphone system.
Both support voice assistants, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro works best with Bixby on Samsung devices, while the JBL Tour Pro+ works equally well with all assistants.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro provides better virtual surround sound through its 360 Audio feature, making it the superior choice for home theater use.
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offers more detailed sound with its dual-driver system, while the JBL Tour Pro+ provides stronger bass and more customizable EQ settings.
Both are sweat-resistant, but the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro has better water resistance (IP57) compared to the JBL Tour Pro+ (IPX5).
The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro at $189.99 offers better value, especially for Samsung users and home theater enthusiasts, while the JBL Tour Pro+ at $299.99 justifies its higher price with better battery life and universal compatibility.
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 - digitaltrends.com - harmanaudio.com - bestbuy.com - soundguys.com - tomsguide.com - jbl.com - bestbuy.com - seriousinsights.net - mm.jbl.com - support.jbl.com - bigapplebuddy.com
