QC Earbuds II vs JBL Tour Pro 3
The QC Earbuds II and the JBL Tour Pro 3 are direct rivals in the premium wireless earbuds class, one from Bose and one from JBL. Look at the scorecard and the JBL Tour Pro 3 stands out, ahead in 1 of 3 areas. The battery & charging numbers explain a lot of that.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging JBL Tour Pro 3 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price QC Earbuds II wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.6
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging6.5
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has 2 h more listening per charge
The JBL Tour Pro 3 clearly leads on battery (single charge), and 8 h versus 6 h is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The JBL Tour Pro 3 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has 8 h more total battery with the case
On battery (with case), the JBL Tour Pro 3 posts 32 h against 24 h for the QC Earbuds II, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. The JBL Tour Pro 3’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has a tougher IP55 rating
Small gaps can still matter over time, and here the JBL Tour Pro 3 leads IP55 to IPX4. A higher water resistance rating gives more protection against sweat and rain during workouts.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP55 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.20 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 2.53 oz Heaviest case in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
Neither the QC Earbuds II nor the JBL Tour Pro 3 has a real advantage in the sound & noise cancelling category. Treat sound & noise cancelling as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Battery & Charging
JBL Tour Pro 3 leads
Look at the battery & charging table and one name keeps coming out on top: the JBL Tour Pro 3. The JBL Tour Pro 3 makes its case with 2 h more listening per charge. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips. Prioritize battery & charging, and the JBL Tour Pro 3 is where you should land.
Battery (single charge)
QC Earbuds II: 6 h JBL Tour Pro 3: 8 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
QC Earbuds II: 24 h JBL Tour Pro 3: 32 h Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
There’s no meaningful winner in the features & connectivity section; the two are too close to separate. On features & connectivity alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.39 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 6 h | 8 h (winner) |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 24 h | 32 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | No | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Touch (tap and swipe) | Touch on earbuds + touchscreen on case |
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stability bands | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP55 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | N/A (not specified) | 0.20 oz |
| Case weight | N/A (not specified) | 2.53 oz Heaviest case in class |
Price
| Spec | QC Earbuds II | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $299 | $300 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is almost a tie, with the QC Earbuds II launching $1 below the JBL Tour Pro 3. The value question is simple: are 2 h more listening per charge and 8 h more total battery with the case worth $1 to you? If so, the JBL Tour Pro 3 makes sense.
Launch prices (US) as of September 2024. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the QC Earbuds II if…
- you don’t need the extras that cost $1 more
- you’re loyal to Bose and happy with it
Choose the JBL Tour Pro 3 if…
- you want longer listening per charge (8 h vs 6 h)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (32 h vs 24 h)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP55 vs IPX4)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the QC Earbuds II or the JBL Tour Pro 3?
The JBL Tour Pro 3 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if paying $1 more feels hard to justify for you.
Which has better battery life, the QC Earbuds II or the JBL Tour Pro 3?
The JBL Tour Pro 3 comes out ahead on battery (single charge), with 8 h compared with 6 h on the QC Earbuds II.
Is the QC Earbuds II cheaper than the JBL Tour Pro 3?
At launch, the QC Earbuds II undercut the JBL Tour Pro 3 by $1. These figures are as of September 2024, and street prices can change.
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Bose’s QC Earbuds II against JBL’s JBL Tour Pro 3. The biggest reason I lean toward the JBL Tour Pro 3 is simple: it has 2 h more listening per charge. Then there’s a tougher IP55 rating, another point for the JBL Tour Pro 3.
The QC Earbuds II is built for people who weigh price heavily, and the JBL Tour Pro 3 for people who weigh battery & charging.
My pick: the JBL Tour Pro 3, with one exception: if you’d rather keep $1 for something else, go for the QC Earbuds II.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.