JBL Tour Pro 3 vs WF-1000XM5
JBL versus Sony: the JBL Tour Pro 3 and the WF-1000XM5 go after the same premium wireless earbuds buyer. Taken area by area, the JBL Tour Pro 3 wins 1 of 3. That doesn’t make the WF-1000XM5 a bad choice, but it does set the baseline.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging JBL Tour Pro 3 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price Tie
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging6.5
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging3.8
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 8 h more total battery with the case
Not a close call. The JBL Tour Pro 3 lists 32 h and the WF-1000XM5 lists 24 h. That’s a substantial gap. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
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The WF-1000XM5 has
Among all the differences on this page, 1.38 oz against 2.53 oz is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the WF-1000XM5. Case weight often reflects battery size, so a heavier case can mean more reserve power.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has
The JBL Tour Pro 3 comes out larger here (0.39 in versus 0.33 in), which is neither a plus nor a minus on its own. Treat driver size as a design detail rather than a verdict on how each pair sounds.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has a 0.01 oz lighter build
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The JBL Tour Pro 3’s 0.20 oz beats the WF-1000XM5’s 0.21 oz. Lighter earbuds or headsets feel less noticeable during long listening sessions.
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The JBL Tour Pro 3 has a tougher IP55 rating
The JBL Tour Pro 3 wins this narrowly, IP55 against IPX4, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. A higher water resistance rating gives more protection against sweat and rain during workouts.
Design & Size
The WF-1000XM5 carries an extra 0.01 oz.
Fit & Build
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear (stemless) |
| Water resistance | IP55 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.20 oz (winner) | 0.21 oz |
| Case weight | 2.53 oz Heaviest case in class | 1.38 oz (winner) Lightest case in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
This is a tie in all but name. On sound & noise cancelling, both deliver about the same. Either pair will serve you equally well on sound & noise cancelling.
Driver size
JBL Tour Pro 3: 0.39 in WF-1000XM5: 0.33 in Larger drivers can move more air, while smaller ones allow a more compact design; neither guarantees better sound.
Battery & Charging
JBL Tour Pro 3 leads
This is one of the JBL Tour Pro 3’s strongest areas. On battery & charging, the WF-1000XM5 falls well short. The JBL Tour Pro 3 makes its case with 8 h more total battery with the case. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience. Anyone shopping mainly on battery & charging should start with the JBL Tour Pro 3.
Battery (with case)
JBL Tour Pro 3: 32 h WF-1000XM5: 24 h The JBL Tour Pro 3’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
The features & connectivity section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | 0.39 in | 0.33 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | N/A (not specified) | 360 Reality Audio |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h | 8 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 32 h (winner) | 24 h |
| Wireless charging | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio) | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Multipoint | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Touch on earbuds + touchscreen on case | Touch |
Fit & Build
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | In-ear with stem | In-ear (stemless) |
| Water resistance | IP55 (winner) | IPX4 |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.20 oz (winner) | 0.21 oz |
| Case weight | 2.53 oz Heaviest case in class | 1.38 oz (winner) Lightest case in class |
Price
| Spec | JBL Tour Pro 3 | WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $300 | $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
Money won’t decide this one: the JBL Tour Pro 3 and the WF-1000XM5 launched at identical prices.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2024; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the JBL Tour Pro 3 if…
- you want more total battery with the case (32 h vs 24 h)
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.20 oz vs 0.21 oz)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP55 vs IPX4)
Choose the WF-1000XM5 if…
- you want the lighter case (1.38 oz vs 2.53 oz)
- you already know your way around Sony’s products
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the JBL Tour Pro 3 or the WF-1000XM5?
We’d point most buyers to the JBL Tour Pro 3. The main exception is if having matters more to you than the rest.
Does the JBL Tour Pro 3 last longer on a charge than the WF-1000XM5?
It’s effectively a tie. The battery figures for the JBL Tour Pro 3 and the WF-1000XM5 are too close to call.
Is the JBL Tour Pro 3 lighter than the WF-1000XM5?
On the scale, the JBL Tour Pro 3 comes out ahead at 0.01 oz lighter than the WF-1000XM5.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the JBL Tour Pro 3 and the WF-1000XM5. For me, the deciding factor is that only the JBL Tour Pro 3 gives you 8 h more total battery with the case. It also helps that the JBL Tour Pro 3 has a 0.01 oz lighter build. The WF-1000XM5 has a trump card of its own in.
I’d match them like this: battery & charging to the JBL Tour Pro 3, a lighter case to the WF-1000XM5.
My pick: the JBL Tour Pro 3. The WF-1000XM5 only comes out ahead if your top priority is.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.