
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs JBL Tour Pro 3: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Score breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- JBL Tour Pro 3
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against JBL Tour Pro 3 (2024). The JBL Tour Pro 3 edges ahead on platform, but only just: Top codec LDAC against AAC. The Apple AirPods Pro 3 answers on convenience features: it adds Water resistance IP57 against IP55.
- AirPods Pro 320251 yr newer
- Tour Pro 32024
- Top codec
- AAC
- LDAC
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP55
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, ANC type, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $330
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 79
- Released
- 2025
- 2024
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 2-driver hybrid
- Driver type
- dynamic
- hybrid
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 11 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 2
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 32 Ω
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- 104 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 11 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 44 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 3 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 5.6 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 71.8 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IP55
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 6
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- -
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
- Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
- Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)
JBL Tour Pro 3
The JBL Tour Pro 3 are premium wireless earbuds featuring adaptive active noise cancellation and a unique touchscreen charging case. They deliver high-resolution audio via LDAC support and offer a comfortable fit with long battery life, including up to 44 hours with the case. Their hybrid dual-driver setup aims for detailed sound, while IP55 water resistance adds durability.
- Pro:Excellent battery life, especially with the charging case
- Pro:Adaptive ANC effectively reduces ambient noise
- Pro:LDAC codec support for high-resolution audio
- Con:Premium price point may be prohibitive for some
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
- Con:Battery life drops significantly when ANC is enabled
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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