True Wireless
Apple AirPods Pro 3
86Outstanding
$180
Full review dataApple AirPods Pro 3 vs Powerbeats Pro 2: 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.
True Wireless
Powerbeats Pro 2
79Great
$250
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads on 5 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods Pro 3
- Powerbeats Pro 2
HearWiki score
86
79
Sound
8.6
7.9
Noise cancelling
9.3
8.2
Battery
7.3
8.8
Calls
7.4
8.3
Value
8.3
7.0
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?
Same generation
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is 6 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Apple AirPods Pro 3 adds Multipoint pairing and Water resistance IP57 against IPX4. For 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- AirPods Pro 320256 yr newer
- Powerbeats Pro 22019
What differsAirPods Pro 3Powerbeats Pro 2
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, Top codec, ANC type, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods Pro 3Powerbeats Pro 2
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $180
- $250
- HearWiki score
- 86
- 79
- Released
- 2025
- 2019
- Availability
- Sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 10.7 mm dynamic
- 9.5 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 10.7 mm
- 9.5 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Sensitivity
- 110 dB/mW
- -
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Battery life
- 8 h
- 10 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 8 h
- 8 h
- Battery incl. case
- -
- 45 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- adaptive
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- touch
- both
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 5.5 g
- 8.7 g
- Case weight
- 44 g
- 69 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Microphones
- 3
- 3
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
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)
Powerbeats Pro 2
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a refined, workout-first true wireless pair that finally add adaptive active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and wireless charging to the iconic secure-fit design. They deliver a punchy, accurate sound signature, a long 10-hour battery (8 with ANC) plus a 45-hour total with the case, and remain light and comfortable for intense sessions. While the heart-rate tracking is a novel addition, it still feels limited in practice, and the premium price tag may give some buyers pause.
- Pro:Secure, lightweight fit ideal for workouts
- Pro:Very good audio accuracy and punchy bass
- Pro:Effective adaptive ANC and transparency mode
- Con:No multipoint Bluetooth connection
- Con:Heart-rate tracking has limited real-world usability
- Con:Premium price point
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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