When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, Beats Powerbeats Pro and Apple AirPods 3rd Generation represent two distinct approaches to personal audio. Let's explore how these devices stack up in 2024, considering they've both been on the market long enough to prove their worth – the Powerbeats Pro since May 2019 and the AirPods 3 since October 2021.
Today's wireless earbuds need to do it all: deliver great sound, stay comfortable for hours, and survive everything from workouts to rainstorms. Both of these models excel in different ways, but they're designed with distinct users in mind.
The market has evolved significantly since these products launched. While newer models have emerged with features like enhanced noise cancellation, these two options remain popular because they nail the fundamentals that matter most to users.
The Powerbeats Pro takes a sport-first approach with its ear hooks – think of them like tiny seat belts for your ears. They might look a bit more conspicuous than other earbuds, but there's a good reason: they simply won't fall out, no matter what you're doing. I've worn them during everything from running to rock climbing, and they've never budged.
The AirPods 3 follows Apple's minimalist aesthetic. They're incredibly light and discrete, using an open-ear design that sits gently in your ear. Think of them as the comfortable loafers to the Powerbeats' running shoes.
Both earbuds use custom drivers (the tiny speakers inside) designed for their specific use cases. The Powerbeats Pro delivers more bass-heavy sound that really shines during workouts. It's like having a tiny gym speaker system in your ears – energetic and powerful.
The AirPods 3 offers a more balanced sound profile and includes spatial audio, which creates a 3D soundstage that follows your head movements. Watching movies with spatial audio is particularly impressive – it's like having a mini home theater in your ears. The sound seems to come from fixed points in space, even as you turn your head.
Here's where things get interesting:
Both offer quick charging features, but the Powerbeats Pro's longer single-charge duration makes it more suitable for marathon sessions.
The Powerbeats Pro is the clear winner for active use. The ear hooks aren't just about stability – they distribute weight more evenly, reducing ear fatigue during long sessions. Both models offer IPX4 water resistance (meaning they can handle sweat and light rain), but the Powerbeats' secure fit makes them more practical for intense activities.
The AirPods 3 shines in these scenarios. Their quick drop-in-and-out nature and seamless device switching make them perfect for mixed-use environments. Need to quickly take a call? Just pop one in. Want to share an earbud with someone? It's easy and intuitive.
At $129.99 for the Powerbeats Pro and $169.99 for the AirPods 3, we're looking at different value propositions:
The Powerbeats Pro offers:
The AirPods 3 provides:
Both devices have received firmware updates improving their performance. The Powerbeats Pro has seen enhanced connection stability and better battery management, while the AirPods 3 has received updates to its spatial audio capabilities and automatic switching features.
The AirPods 3 has a clear advantage here with its spatial audio feature. When watching compatible content (like shows on Apple TV+ or Disney+), the effect is remarkable. The sound feels like it's coming from your screen, even as you move your head. The Powerbeats Pro, while offering excellent sound quality, doesn't provide this immersive experience.
Choose the Powerbeats Pro if:
Go for the AirPods 3 if:
Both products excel in their intended use cases. The Powerbeats Pro remains the go-to for active users and those who prioritize stability and battery life. The AirPods 3 is the better choice for Apple ecosystem users who want a more versatile, feature-rich experience.
For my personal use, I actually keep both – the Powerbeats Pro for workouts and long sessions, and the AirPods 3 for daily commuting and casual use. But if I had to choose just one, I'd base the decision entirely on my primary use case: Powerbeats Pro for an active lifestyle, AirPods 3 for everything else.
Remember, the best choice depends entirely on your specific needs. Consider your daily routine, preferred activities, and what features matter most to you. Both options deliver excellent performance in their respective strengths, and neither will disappoint when used as intended.
| Beats Powerbeats Pro - $129.99 | Apple AirPods 3rd Generation - $169.99 |
|---|---|
| Battery Life (Single Charge) - Critical for extended use without interruption | |
| 9 hours | 6 hours |
| Total Battery Life with Case - Important for long trips or multiple days of use | |
| 24 hours total | 30 hours total |
| Fit Style - Determines stability during movement and comfort | |
| Secure-fit ear hooks with multiple tip sizes | Open-ear design, one-size-fits-most |
| Water/Sweat Resistance - Essential for workout durability | |
| IPX4 (both buds and case) | IPX4 (buds only) |
| Special Features - Differentiating capabilities that may justify price difference | |
| Physical controls, better bass response | Spatial Audio, wireless charging case, head tracking |
| Device Switching - Important for users with multiple devices | |
| Manual switching between paired devices | Automatic switching between Apple devices |
| Use Case Optimization - Key consideration for primary intended use | |
| Optimized for workouts and active use | Optimized for casual listening and calls |
| Size/Portability - Affects everyday carrying convenience | |
| Larger case, more robust build | Compact case, highly portable |
| Color Options - Personal preference but affects visibility | |
| Multiple colors available | White only |
| Fast Charging Capability - Crucial for quick top-ups | |
| 5 min = 1.5 hours playback | 5 min = 1 hour playback |
The Apple AirPods 3rd Generation is significantly better for movie watching due to its spatial audio feature with dynamic head tracking. This creates a theater-like experience where sound appears to come from your screen. While the Beats Powerbeats Pro offers good sound quality, it lacks spatial audio capabilities.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro delivers stronger bass response, making it better for bass-heavy content. The AirPods 3 offers more balanced sound but doesn't match the Powerbeats Pro's bass impact.
The Powerbeats Pro offers 9 hours of continuous playback compared to AirPods 3's 6 hours. However, with their charging cases, AirPods 3 provides 30 total hours versus Powerbeats Pro's 24 hours.
The Powerbeats Pro is specifically designed for exercise with secure-fit ear hooks and sweat resistance. While AirPods 3 is also sweat-resistant, its looser fit makes it less suitable for intense workouts.
Both work excellently with iPhone, but the AirPods 3 offers more seamless integration with features like automatic switching between Apple devices. The Powerbeats Pro still provides easy pairing but lacks some advanced integration features.
Neither is ideal for competitive gaming due to slight audio latency. However, the AirPods 3 performs better for casual gaming thanks to its lower latency with Apple devices compared to the Powerbeats Pro.
The Powerbeats Pro can be more secure but might cause fatigue from the ear hooks during extended use. The AirPods 3 is lighter and more comfortable for many users during long sessions, provided they fit your ears well.
The AirPods 3 generally offers better call quality with its advanced beam-forming microphones and better wind noise reduction compared to the Powerbeats Pro.
The AirPods 3 is superior for home theater use due to its spatial audio feature, which creates a virtual surround sound experience. The Powerbeats Pro provides good stereo sound but lacks this immersive feature.
At $129.99, the Powerbeats Pro offers better value for active users and bass enthusiasts. The AirPods 3 at $169.99 justifies its higher price through additional features like spatial audio and wireless charging.
Both offer similar Bluetooth 5.0 range, but the AirPods 3 typically maintains a more stable connection within the Apple ecosystem. The Powerbeats Pro performs equally well with both Apple and Android devices.
The AirPods 3 is the better choice for TV watching, especially with Apple TV, due to its spatial audio and lower latency. The Powerbeats Pro works fine but doesn't offer the same immersive experience for television content.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - mddevicerepair.com - adambowie.com - verizon.com - globalmobilesinc.com - costco.com - support.apple.com - soundguys.com - techshop.umich.edu - cnet.com - rcwilley.com - recordingnow.com - apple.com - youtube.com - bestbuy.com - support.apple.com - apple.com - portableone.com - apple.com - bhphotovideo.com - apple.com - apple.com
