Headphones / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs JBL Tour One M3
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs JBL Tour One M3
JBL Tour One M3
Comes with a transmitter that Auracasts any airplane or gym screen to your ears.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
Too close to call on score alone: 0.1 points separate them. Comes with a transmitter that Auracasts any airplane or gym screen to your ears. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) answers with a different set of strengths, so let the categories below decide it.
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and JBL Tour One M3 are both current-generation headphones models, and the JBL Tour One M3 is $99.10 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ($349.95 vs $449). On Battery, the JBL Tour One M3 leads (9.5 vs 8.0/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.9 vs 8.5/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On Comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads (9.2 vs 7.8/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. Overall, the JBL Tour One M3 scores 8.5/10 across our 10 scoring categories versus 8.4/10 for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | JBL Tour One M3 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.00 | $349.95 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 40✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 45 | 70✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 3✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | 5.3 with LE Audio and Auracast |
| Weight (g) | 250✓ | 278 |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by Bose | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC with updated ActiveSense and CustomTune ear-canal calibration, with manual ANC levels in the app | True Adaptive Noise Cancelling 2.0 using 8 ANC microphones, four per earcup |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | Not published by Bose for the Ultra | 10 |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Midnight Violet | Black, Blue, Mocha |
Category Scores
Battery
The JBL Tour One M3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.0 — a 1.5-point margin on playtime, standby, and charging speed. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.9 against 8.5 — a 1.4-point margin on how well ambient noise is blocked. If that is what you are buying for, the JBL Tour One M3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) leads clearly here, 9.2 against 7.8 — a 1.4-point margin on clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the JBL Tour One M3 does not close the gap elsewhere.
Sound Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) is marginally ahead, 8.5 to 8.2. A gap this small rarely decides a purchase on its own, though it counts if driver performance, tuning, and detail is your priority.
Call & Mic Quality
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and JBL Tour One M3 are level here, at 8.5/10 each. voice clarity and background noise rejection on calls is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Travel
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and JBL Tour One M3 are level here, at 9.5/10 each. foldability, case, ANC on planes, battery for long trips is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Gaming
The JBL Tour One M3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on latency, low-lag mode support, and soundstage. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The JBL Tour One M3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and JBL Tour One M3 are level here, at 7.5/10 each. build materials, hinge quality, and reported longevity is not what separates these two — look to the categories where the scores diverge.
Features
The JBL Tour One M3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 8.5 — a 1.0-point margin on app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.9/10 here (how well ambient noise is blocked).
- • Comfort matters most to you — the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores 9.2/10 here (clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions).
Choose the JBL Tour One M3 if…
- • Battery matters most to you — the JBL Tour One M3 scores 9.5/10 here (playtime, standby, and charging speed).
- • Value matters most to you — the JBL Tour One M3 scores 8.5/10 here (features and performance relative to price).
- • Features matters most to you — the JBL Tour One M3 scores 9.5/10 here (app ecosystem, multipoint, spatial audio, extras).
- • You want to spend less — it's $99.10 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Pros
- +The most effective noise cancelling available, narrowly ahead of Sony
- +CustomTune ear-canal calibration genuinely improves both ANC and sound
- +aptX Adaptive and USB-C lossless added this generation
- +Lightest flagship here at 250g and superbly comfortable
Cons
- −Wired listening still requires battery power, unlike most rivals
- −Immersive Audio costs you seven hours of battery
- −No LDAC
- −Bose publishes neither driver size nor microphone count
- −Only an iterative update over the first generation
JBL Tour One M3
Pros
- +The bundled Smart Tx transmitter solves airplane entertainment systems and gym equipment properly
- +40 hours with ANC on and 70 with it off
- +10 microphones, the most here, and excellent call quality
- +Folds flat and collapses, with LDAC support
Cons
- −The transmitter is one more thing to carry and charge
- −No IP rating
- −LDAC and Auracast cannot be used at the same time
- −Bulkier than the Sony or Bose
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or JBL Tour One M3 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the JBL Tour One M3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Battery, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour One M3?+
The JBL Tour One M3 scores higher on Battery (9.5/10 vs 8.0/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour One M3?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.9/10 vs 8.5/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked.
Which is better for Comfort, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour One M3?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) scores higher on Comfort (9.2/10 vs 7.8/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions.
Which is better for Value, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the JBL Tour One M3?+
The JBL Tour One M3 scores higher on Value (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — features and performance relative to price.
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) worth the price difference over the JBL Tour One M3?+
The JBL Tour One M3 is the cheaper option at $349.95 versus $449. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Battery.
What's the warranty on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs the JBL Tour One M3?+
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) ships with a 12-month warranty; the JBL Tour One M3 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless — $399.95
Premium Option
Beats Studio Pro — $349.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.