The JBL Tour Pro 3 represents the third iteration of JBL’s premium wireless earbuds line, building upon the success of its predecessors with refined audio technology, enhanced noise cancellation, and the standout smart charging case with a built-in touchscreen. After extensive testing across various environments and use cases, here’s my comprehensive assessment of these feature-packed earbuds.
Specs
- Driver size: 10mm dynamic drivers with JBL’s Pro Sound technology
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection (up to 3 devices)
- Codec support: SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
- Battery life: 9 hours (ANC on)/12 hours (ANC off), 40 hours total with case
- Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging
- Water/dust resistance: IP55 rating
- Weight: 6.1g per earbud, 67g charging case
- Colors: Black, Champagne Gold
- Smart case display: 2-inch TFT touchscreen (480 x 360 resolution)
- Price: $349.99
Key Features
Smart Charging Case with Touchscreen Display
The Tour Pro 3’s most distinctive feature is its 2-inch touchscreen on the charging case, allowing users to control playback, adjust ANC settings, manage connections, customize EQ, and even view notifications without reaching for their phone. The screen is responsive and surprisingly useful in daily use.
Adaptive Noise Cancellation Pro
JBL’s advanced ANC technology uses four microphones per earbud to continuously monitor and adjust noise cancellation based on your environment. The system also adapts to the earbud’s position in your ear for optimized performance.
Spatial Sound with Head Tracking
The Tour Pro 3 offers impressively accurate spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, creating an immersive listening experience for both music and video content. The implementation feels natural and less artificial than some competitors.
Personalized Sound Profiles
The JBL Headphones app offers a comprehensive hearing test to create a custom EQ profile tailored to your specific hearing capabilities, compensating for frequency sensitivity variations.
Smart Talk Technology
When the earbuds detect you’re speaking, they automatically reduce volume and activate transparency mode, making conversations seamless without manually adjusting settings.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality with rich, detailed audio across all frequencies
- Innovative smart case that genuinely enhances usability
- Outstanding battery life that exceeds most competitors
- Effective noise cancellation that rivals industry leaders
- Comfortable, secure fit even during extended listening sessions
- Premium build quality with high-quality materials
- LDAC support for high-resolution audio with compatible devices
- Multipoint connection that works reliably across devices
Cons
- High price tag places them among the most expensive TWS options
- Bulky charging case due to the display, making pocket carry less convenient
- Touchscreen requires regular charging and adds another battery to maintain
- Occasional software hiccups with the case display requiring restarts
- Touch controls can be oversensitive leading to accidental activations
- App requires numerous permissions for full functionality
Who Should Buy?
The JBL Tour Pro 3 is ideal for:
- Tech enthusiasts who appreciate innovative features and cutting-edge design
- Frequent travelers who will benefit from the extended battery life and effective ANC
- Audiophiles seeking premium sound in a portable format with high-res codec support
- Multitaskers who value the convenience of controlling earbuds without constantly using their phone
- Android users looking for a feature-rich alternative to Apple ecosystem products
These earbuds may not suit:
- Budget-conscious shoppers
- Those who prioritize the smallest possible carrying solution
- Users who prefer physical buttons over touch controls
- People who find smart features unnecessary or distracting
Takeaways
The JBL Tour Pro 3 represents a bold step forward in truly wireless earbud design. The smart case isn’t just a gimmick – it genuinely enhances the user experience by reducing the need to constantly interact with your phone for adjustments. While the $349.99 price point positions these firmly in the premium category, they deliver performance and features that justify the investment for the right user.
Sound quality remains exceptional with JBL’s signature balanced profile that offers punchy bass without overwhelming the mids and highs. The noise cancellation system effectively blocks most environmental distractions while offering natural-sounding transparency when needed.
What impresses most is how JBL has created a coherent ecosystem where the innovative charging case, advanced earbuds, and well-designed app work together seamlessly. Despite some minor software quirks and the bulk of the charging case, the Tour Pro 3 represents one of the most complete and forward-thinking audio packages available today.
For those willing to embrace cutting-edge features and pay the premium price, the JBL Tour Pro 3 delivers an outstanding audio experience wrapped in genuinely useful innovation.
