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Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3 - Outstanding overall at around $179.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

  • Apple AirPods Pro 3
  • Beats Powerbeats Pro
HearWiki score
86
64
Sound
8.6
7.4
Noise cancelling
9.3
-
Battery
7.3
7.5
Calls
7.4
6.8
Value
8.3
-
Price (USD)
$180
$250

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Beats Powerbeats Pro (2019). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0 and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.

  • AirPods Pro 320256 yr newer
  • Powerbeats Pro2019
What differsAirPods Pro 3Powerbeats Pro

Platform

Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
ANC type
Adaptive
None

Everyday features

Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Wireless charging
Yes
No
USB-C
Yes
No
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4

Level on: Top codec, Wear detection.

Specifications

AirPods Pro 3Powerbeats Pro
Type
True Wireless
True Wireless
Price (USD)
$180
$250
HearWiki score
86
64
Released
2025
2019
Availability
Sold new
Still sold new
Driver
10.7 mm dynamic
12 mm dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Driver size
10.7 mm
12 mm
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
20 Hz - 20 kHz
Sensitivity
110 dB/mW
-
Bluetooth
5.3
5.0
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC
Multipoint pairing
Yes
No
Battery life
8 h
9 h
Battery life (ANC on)
8 h
-
Battery incl. case
-
24 h
Quick charge
-
5 min → 1.5 h
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
Yes
No
ANC type
adaptive
-
Transparency mode
Yes
-
Companion app
Yes
-
Wear detection
Yes
Yes
Controls
touch
buttons
Voice assistant
Siri
Siri
Weight
5.5 g
21 g
Case weight
44 g
80 g
Water resistance
IP57
IPX4
USB-C
Yes
No
Microphones
3
-
Microphone type
beamforming
-

What reviewers said

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 are premium true wireless earbuds that combine adaptive active noise cancellation with a comfortable, secure fit. They deliver clear calls, robust battery life, and a balanced sound profile, all wrapped in an IP57-rated design that handles water and dust. With Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint connectivity, and wireless charging, they offer a polished experience for Apple and non-Apple users alike.

  • Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
  • Pro:Clear call quality with beamforming mics
  • Pro:Strong battery life of 8 hours with ANC on
  • Con:Fit may be tricky for some ears
  • Con:Premium price point
  • Con:Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Beats Powerbeats Pro

The Powerbeats Pro are secure-fitting true wireless earbuds designed for active use, delivering a punchy and balanced sound with a strong Bluetooth connection and long battery life. They offer a comfortable, stable fit and simple physical controls, though they lack active noise cancellation and advanced features like wireless charging or multipoint connectivity. Overall, they are a solid choice for workouts and daily listening, especially for Apple users.

  • Pro:Secure and comfortable fit for workouts
  • Pro:Long battery life of 9 hours per charge
  • Pro:Reliable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with Class 1 range
  • Con:No active noise cancellation or strong isolation
  • Con:No wireless charging or USB-C port
  • Con:Treble can sound dull, and mids may be under-emphasized

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

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New comparisonApple AirPods Pro 3Beats Powerbeats Pro