
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats X: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats X, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
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 X
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?
Apple AirPods Pro 3 (2025) against Beats X (2017). The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 4.0 and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C.
- AirPods Pro 320258 yr newer
- X2017
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 4.0
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- None
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Platform
Everyday features
Specifications
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $150
- HearWiki score
- 86
- Not scored
- Released
- 2025
- 2017
- Availability
- Sold new
- Discontinued
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 4.0
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- -
- Quick charge
- -
- 5 min → 2 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- No
- ANC type
- adaptive
- -
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- touch
- -
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Siri
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- -
- Case weight
- 44 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IP57
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Microphones
- 3
- 1
- 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 X
These wireless in-ear headphones offer a secure, cable-connected fit with Bluetooth 4.0 and Apple's W1 chip for seamless pairing. They provide up to 8 hours of playback and a quick-charge feature that delivers 2 hours of use from just 5 minutes of charging, along with an inline mic and remote for calls and controls. Lacking active noise cancellation, they focus on straightforward, reliable performance for everyday listening.
- Pro:Fast Fuel quick charge gives 2 hours from a 5-minute charge
- Pro:Stable wireless connection with Apple's W1 chip
- Pro:Lightweight, flexible neckband design for comfort
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Bluetooth 4.0 is older and less stable than newer versions
- Con:Battery life is modest at 8 hours
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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