QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) vs JBL Tour Pro 3
Bose brings the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen); JBL answers with the JBL Tour Pro 3. Both play in the premium wireless earbuds class. Here the verdict on paper is fairly clear. The JBL Tour Pro 3 takes 1 of 3 areas against the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), starting with battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging JBL Tour Pro 3 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) 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
At 8 h versus 6 h, this is a decisive lead for the JBL Tour Pro 3, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
-
The JBL Tour Pro 3 has 8 h more total battery with the case
If battery (with case) is one of your priorities, this settles it: the JBL Tour Pro 3 leads clearly with 32 h to the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)’s 24 h. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has a tougher IP55 rating
On paper, the JBL Tour Pro 3 is a touch ahead here, listing IP55 against IPX4. The JBL Tour Pro 3 is better protected, which matters if you run in all weather.
Design & Size
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | 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
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on sound & noise cancelling. Neither pair gives you a reason to choose it on sound & noise cancelling.
Battery & Charging
JBL Tour Pro 3 leads
When it comes to battery & charging, the JBL Tour Pro 3 is comfortably ahead. The JBL Tour Pro 3 has the edge with 2 h more listening per charge. The JBL Tour Pro 3 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. That makes the JBL Tour Pro 3 the natural choice for buyers focused on battery & charging.
Battery (single charge)
QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 6 h JBL Tour Pro 3: 8 h Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
Battery (with case)
QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): 24 h JBL Tour Pro 3: 32 h The JBL Tour Pro 3’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the JBL Tour Pro 3 match each other closely in this area. Both cover features & connectivity well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 0.39 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Bose Immersive Audio (with head tracking) | N/A (not specified) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | 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 | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | JBL Tour Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio) |
| Multipoint | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Touch (tap and swipe) | Touch on earbuds + touchscreen on case |
Fit & Build
| Spec | QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | 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 Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | 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
The launch price difference is small: $1, favoring the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). The QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) saves $1, but the JBL Tour Pro 3 answers with 2 h more listening per charge and 8 h more total battery with the case.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked June 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if…
- you’d put the $1 saving toward something else
- you trust Bose and want to keep things familiar
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 want the tougher water resistance rating (IP55 vs IPX4)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour Pro 3?
We’d point most buyers to the JBL Tour Pro 3. The main exception is if you’d rather keep $1 for something else.
Which has better battery life, the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour Pro 3?
On paper, the JBL Tour Pro 3 has the edge: 8 h of battery (single charge) against 6 h for the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen). Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) cheaper than the JBL Tour Pro 3?
The JBL Tour Pro 3 launched at $1 more than the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), based on prices as of June 2025.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) and the JBL Tour Pro 3. I just have opinions about the numbers. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the JBL Tour Pro 3 brings 2 h more listening per charge. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the JBL Tour Pro 3 has a tougher IP55 rating.
Who should get which? The QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) for price, the JBL Tour Pro 3 for battery & charging.
My pick: the JBL Tour Pro 3, though I’d happily point you to the QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) if the extra $1 would stretch your budget.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.