JBL Tour Pro 3 Review: The Sony WF-1000XM5 Killer?

“Screens, screens everywhere, with no quiet corner to spare.” Whilst utterly made up by yours really, this contemporary lament completely sums up our actuality in 2025 — a world surrounded by screens. From on a regular basis companions like smartphones and tablets, to good fridges and even some espresso mugs, there appears to be no escape. In a world the place we work together repeatedly by way of swiping and tapping, the concept of a tiny display screen on a private gadget nearly feels much less novel and extra like a pure subsequent step. And that is what JBL has been doing with a number of of its true wi-fi stereo (TWS) earbuds over the past couple of years.

We reviewed the JBL Live Beam 3 in 2024, and whereas its built-in show actually introduced versatility, the trade-offs when it comes to noise cancellation and core audio efficiency have been too massive to disregard.

Maintaining a stability between a wealthy function set and delivering on audio high quality is a tricky ask, however that’s precisely what the lately launched JBL Tour Pro 3 goals to attain. At a launch worth of Rs. 29,999 (present promoting worth is Rs. 19,999), the TWS earbuds place themselves on the very prime of the premium TWS market, which instructions an exorbitant price ticket however nonetheless has competitors from the likes of Bose, Marshall, Sennheiser, and Sony.

But do the additional options assist the JBL Tour Pro 3 stand out among the many many, or do they disappear among the many few? I’ll clarify on this overview.

JBL Tour Pro 3 Design and Features: Everything That You Need, and More

• Weight – 5.6g (Each Bud), 71.8g (Case)
• Water and mud resistance – IP55
• Colours – Black and Latte

The JBL Tour Pro 3 is a assured dialog starter, and it’s primarily due to the contact display screen show (which we are going to discuss later within the overview). I used to be requested about them on greater than a few events when utilizing them out in public view.

The earbuds themselves have a conventional stem design and include a textured floor which offers a superb grip. The earbuds are pretty light-weight (5.6g every), and I didn’t really feel the burden even after extended utilization for a number of hours. The firm offers a complete of six pairs of eartips, together with a foam eartip choice, and I used to be simply ready to determine the scale choice which match me snugly.

The stems of JBL Tour Pro 3’s earbuds are flatter in comparison with different fashions from the corporate
Photo Credit: Gadgets 360/ Mohit Dawar

On every earbud, there’s a touch-sensitive part which helps single-tap, double-tap, and triple-tap gestures. The left earbud can be utilized to cycle between totally different energetic noise cancellation (ANC) modes, whereas the precise one offers playback controls. The contact controls are amongst probably the most responsive I’ve skilled on a pair of earbuds so far.

However, there may be one perennial gripe I’ve with most TWS earbuds, one thing which the funds Realme Buds Air 7 Pro (overview) surprisingly solved, however even the JBLs can’t: quantity management. There is not any choice on the JBL Tour Pro 3 to regulate the quantity through the earbuds themselves.

Now think about a situation the place your cellphone is simply out of attain once you want to modify the equaliser or change tracks. Even if the case is close by, there is not a lot you are able to do with it. That isn’t the problem with the JBL Tour Pro 3, nevertheless. It’s Smart Charging Case offers you with the identical diploma of management because the companion app in your cellphone — one thing which is never seen on TWS earbuds.

There is a 1.57-inch LCD display screen on the JBL Tour Pro 3’s Smart Charging Case, which delivers an astounding set of options at your disposal. There are the fundamentals to start with, resembling switching between ANC modes, controlling the quantity, and checking the battery stage. But on prime of that, you may obtain app notifications, set off Find My performance, cycle between spatial audio settings, view 24-hour time, allow the flashlight, and tweak the equaliser —all with out having to the touch your cellphone.

Left to proper: JBL Live Beam 3 vs JBL Tour Pro 3
Photo Credit: Gadgets 360/ Mohit Dawar

You may even change the wallpaper! Imagine this as a function on TWS earbuds just a few years in the past.

Another notable function is the transmitter performance. According to JBL, you may merely plug the Smart Charging Case into any audio supply, resembling in-flight leisure methods or cassette gamers, through the supplied USB Type-C to 3.5mm cable. This permits the case to perform as a wi-fi audio transmitter, delivering audio wirelessly to the earbuds. Pretty cool. Then there may be the future-proof Auracast function, permitting you to transmit audio to any appropriate close by units.

Now, your entire idea of the JBL Tour Pro 3 would possibly really feel a bit overwhelming with the huge vary of options which might be on provide, however it stops simply in need of being so. Its interface is straightforward to make use of, and you’ll swipe by way of the totally different screens to entry the function you need. It was a barely smoother expertise in comparison with the JBL Live Beam 3.

There are six microphones on the JBL Tour Pro 3
Photo Credit: Gadgets 360/ Mohit Dawar

However, packaging all of this tech right into a charging case means you will not be capable of ship a product that’s ergonomically excellent. And this rings true for the JBL Tour Pro 3 as effectively. The Smart Charging Case is actually bigger and heavier than most TWS earbuds in the marketplace, weighing in at 71.8 grams with out the earbuds.

The JBL Tour Pro 3 is out there in two finishes — Black and Latte. The overview unit I’ve is the previous, and it encompasses a practically stealthy matte black end that resists fingerprints. It appears premium, too. However, it’s not a standard TWS case, and though it wasn’t an issue for me since I stash them in my backpack, it’d take you a while to regulate to them in the event you normally carry your earphones in your pocket, as they protrude barely.

JBL Tour Pro 3 App and Specifications: Complements the Package

• Driver – 10.2mm Dynamic + 5.1 x 2.8 mm Balanced Armature
• Companion app – JBL Headphones
• Gesture controls – Yes (faucet)

Like different JBL TWS earbuds, the JBL Tour Pro 3 is appropriate with the JBL Headphones app. It is out there for each Android and iOS units and permits customisation of the varied options on the TWS earbuds. Like the Smart Charging Case, the companion app is function wealthy too. The app expertise is similar to the JBL Live Beam 3, so you may learn extra about it right here.

JBL Tour Pro 3 is appropriate with the JBL Headphones app

Moving on to the specs, the JBL Tour Pro 3 encompasses a hybrid dual-driver system, which features a 10.2mm dynamic driver. It is supplied with six microphones and carries an IP55 ranking for mud and splash resistance. The TWS earbuds help Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and LDAC codec. The JBL Tour Pro 3 is claimed to offer a complete of 44 hours of playback time on a single cost, together with the case.

JBL Tour Pro 3 Performance and Battery Life: At Par With the Best

• Codec Support – AAC, SBC, and LDAC
• Connectivity – Bluetooth 5.3
• Battery – 65mAh (Earbuds); 850mAh (Charging Case)

Engineered to ship audio to a mature viewers, the JBL Tour Pro 3 sounds very good. To start with, I performed tracks resembling Tom Misch’s “Disco Yes” and Massive Attack’s “Angel,” and the TWS earbuds produced a deep bass that’s exactly managed. It is strongly felt, however surprisingly, doesn’t really feel overbearing. Listen to Drover by Bill Callahan, and you’ll really feel the thump of the kick-drum, whereas the vocals stay equally sturdy. This meticulous stability is complemented by highs which prolong effectively sufficient.

When enjoying Kendrick Lamar’s Loyalty and Manhattan Transfer’s Birdland, I might hear the readability in excessive frequencies within the vocal harmonies and instrumental solos. Another massive win for the JBL Tour Pro 3 is that the timbre didn’t sound metallic at any level, even at excessive quantity. The vocals are additionally strongly represented. Play any Adele monitor, and you’ll clearly hear the highly effective voice with none distortion.

The earbuds handle to drown out many of the ambient noise with ANC switched on
Photo Credit: Gadgets 360/ Mohit Dawar

When spatial audio is switched on, the TWS earbuds create a large soundstage and supply nice separation between varied musical devices. To check this, I performed Unholy by Sam Smith (Orchestral Version), Daft Punk’s complete Random Access Memories album, and everyone’s favorite Hotel California. In most tracks, the lead vocalist shone with out overshadowing the percussion or string devices.

To put it merely, the JBL Tour Pro 3 sounds precisely how I desire a pair of TWS earbuds to sound. It surpasses a number of the different premium TWS earbuds I’ve examined, together with the AirPods Pro (1st Gen) and the Sony Linkbuds S, and is on par with the critically acclaimed Sony WF-1000XM5.

The JBL Tour Pro 3’s ANC lives as much as the identical excessive commonplace as its audio high quality. The TWS earbuds can drown out many of the ambient noise outdoor, together with the fixed hum of the Delhi Metro and a crowded restaurant. Interestingly, switching to the foam-based eartips will increase the ANC barely. I additionally examined the noise cancellation whereas standing proper subsequent to a Royal Enfield Hunter 350, however might solely hear a faint, low-end grunt of the engine. The JBLs do a fantastic job right here as effectively.

(*3*)

You can change between ANC modes and allow spatial sound through the Smart Charging Case itself
Photo Credit: Gadgets 360/ Mohit Dawar

Meanwhile, the transparency mode is much less spectacular, however you may nonetheless hear folks and automobile noises whereas strolling on the road adequately. (Quick PSA: We do not advise you to take action.)

Call high quality is respectable, too. There are a complete of six microphones on the JBL Tour Pro 3. Interestingly, I skilled below-average audio high quality when working on the out-of-the-box firmware. However, a software program patch arrived like a miracle and drastically improved the standard.

Some of the mics on the JBLs additionally cater to noise isolation. Ambient noises are properly drowned out, and the speaker’s voice hardly ever sounds synthetic. There is a neat function that allows you to use one of many earbuds as a devoted microphone. However, I didn’t discover any drastic enchancment within the name high quality, and it remained fairly much like once I usually used it for calls.

Moving on to the battery life, it’s spectacular. The firm claims as much as 11 hours of playtime on a single cost with ANC off and as much as eight hours with ANC on. In each eventualities, they lasted nearly at par with the claimed figures. With ANC off, the TWS earbuds lasted practically 10 hours, whereas switching on ANC decreased the battery life to round seven hours.

According to JBL, a fast 11-minute cost offers as much as three hours of utilization, and this proved to be nearly correct in my testing. On a full single cost, I managed to squeeze out as much as 15 days of playtime with rare use. It is greater than ample, even in the event you often commute for prolonged intervals.

JBL Tour Pro 3 Review: Verdict

The JBL Tour Pro 3 arrives as a daring assertion in right this moment’s TWS market. Banking on its glorious audio high quality and a Smart Charging Case that’s superior to its rivals, the earbuds current a compelling case of being positioned as the most effective TWS you should buy. This is aided by a extremely efficient ANC and an everlasting battery life. While there are just a few trade-offs, such because the cumbersome charging case and a excessive price ticket, the huge vary of options on provide is greater than only a gimmick and overshadows its shortcomings.

The JBL Tour Pro 3 is a package deal for many who desire a feature-packed product that doesn’t compromise on its core performance, and maybe offers a glimpse of what the way forward for TWS earbuds could possibly be.