The JBL Tour Pro 3 is a flagship true wireless earbud designed to offer a premium experience with an abundance of smart features, impressive sound quality, and a sleek design. JBL has aimed these at those who want a combination of high-end audio performance and the latest tech, packed into a small, stylish package.

Design & Comfort

The design of the JBL Tour Pro 3 exudes elegance, with a modern aesthetic that includes a standout feature: the smart charging case. This case is not just functional but fun and interactive. With a built-in 1.45-inch LED display on the front, it allows you to control a wide range of functions, such as adjusting the volume, switching between active noise cancelation (ANC) and ambient modes, as well as battery monitoring—all without having to pull out your phone.

When I unboxed my JBL Tour Pro 3, a quirky and unexpected detail stood out: the case’s screen had a pre-set wallpaper with “Techcravers” written on it! It was a fun touch that added a little personal charm to the experience right from the start.

The earbuds themselves are compact and fit comfortably in the ear, with multiple ear tip sizes included to ensure a snug, secure fit for a variety of ear shapes. This makes them great for both long listening sessions and more active use, whether you’re at the gym or on your daily commute.

Features

JBL has loaded these earbuds with features, making them stand out in the competitive wireless earbuds market. The case’s display isn’t just a gimmick—it’s genuinely useful for controlling your listening experience on the go. Pairing the earbuds to your phone is easy thanks to Bluetooth 5.3, and the buds support both Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair, making them ideal for both Android and Windows users.

The earbuds feature adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level of noise cancelation based on your surroundings. Whether you’re in a noisy café or a quieter office, the JBL Tour Pro 3 intelligently adapts to ensure the best listening experience. There’s also a transparency mode that allows ambient sound in, which is perfect for when you need to stay aware of your surroundings.

The Smart Charging Case on the Tour Pro 3 has an audio transmitter built-in. That means you can connect the case to a device with the included USB-to-audio jack cable, and enjoy low latency, high quality streaming. (Image credit: JBL)

JBL’s app offers further customization, with a wide range of EQ presets and the ability to adjust the earbuds’ sound signature to your personal taste. You can also configure touch controls, making it easy to play/pause, skip tracks, or activate voice assistants with a tap on the earbuds.

Sound Quality

In terms of sound, JBL has continued to deliver. The Tour Pro 3 is powered by 10mm dynamic drivers that produce a rich, well-rounded sound. The bass is powerful but controlled, providing a punchy low-end without overwhelming the mids and highs. Vocals and instruments come through clearly, with a wide soundstage that makes these earbuds suitable for a range of genres, from bass-heavy tracks to acoustic performances.

While the default sound profile is excellent, I found that using the JBL app to tweak the EQ really enhances the experience. For those who enjoy a bit more bass or prefer brighter highs, the app provides granular control to personalize the sound.

Battery Life

Battery life is another strong point of the JBL Tour Pro 3. On a single charge, you can expect up to 10 hours of playback from the earbuds with ANC off, and around 8 hours with it enabled. Combined with the charging case, which holds an additional 24 hours of battery life, these earbuds can last through a full day of heavy use. Plus, the fast-charging feature gives you an hour of playback with just 10 minutes of charging—a lifesaver when you’re in a rush.

Performance in Real-World Use

In real-world use, the adaptive ANC performs admirably. It effectively reduces background noise in busy environments, making commuting and traveling more pleasant. The transparency mode also works well when you need to be aware of your surroundings.

The call quality is solid, too. The multiple microphones help reduce background noise during calls, making your voice clearer to those on the other end of the line. Even in windy conditions or noisy environments, I found that calls came through cleanly.

Drawbacks

One potential drawback of the JBL Tour Pro 3 is its price. With so many features packed in, these earbuds sit at the higher end of the market, and for some users, this may be a sticking point. There are other JBL models that offer similar sound quality and features at a lower price, which might make the decision tougher for budget-conscious buyers.

Additionally, while the touch-sensitive controls on the earbuds work well most of the time, they can be a little too sensitive. I occasionally triggered a function while adjusting the fit of the earbuds, which was slightly annoying.

Conclusion

The JBL Tour Pro 3 is a feature-packed, high-performance pair of earbuds that stand out with their futuristic charging case, strong sound quality, and excellent ANC. For those who appreciate top-notch tech and don’t mind paying a premium for it, these earbuds deliver on all fronts. From the personal touch of the “Techcravers” wallpaper on my case to the immersive sound experience, these earbuds are both fun and functional.

However, if you’re shopping on a budget or already own high-quality earbuds, the price might be a consideration. But for those wanting the latest features in a stylish package, the JBL Tour Pro 3 is hard to beat.