Neckband
Beats Powerbeats
68Good
$160
Full review dataBeats Powerbeats vs Powerbeats3 Wireless: which should you buy?
Specs, scores and condensed review verdicts for the Beats Powerbeats vs Powerbeats3 Wireless, side by side. Where a product has no HearWiki score yet, not enough reviews have been aggregated to rate it.
Neckband
Powerbeats3 Wireless
Not yet scored
$200
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Beats Powerbeats leads on 5 of 5 measures.
- Beats Powerbeats
- Powerbeats3 Wireless
HearWiki score
68
-
Sound
7.7
-
Battery
8.4
-
Calls
6.5
-
Price (USD)
$160
$200
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?
Half a step newer
Beats Powerbeats (2019) against Powerbeats3 Wireless (2016). The Beats Powerbeats edges ahead on platform, but only just: Bluetooth 5.0 against 4.1.
- Powerbeats20193 yr newer
- Powerbeats3 Wireless2016
What differsPowerbeatsPowerbeats3 Wireless
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 4.1
Platform
Level on: Top codec, Multipoint pairing.
Specifications
PowerbeatsPowerbeats3 Wireless
- Type
- Neckband
- Neckband
- Price (USD)
- $160
- $200
- HearWiki score
- 68
- Not scored
- Released
- 2019
- 2016
- Availability
- Discontinued
- Discontinued
- Driver
- dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 1
- -
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 50 Ω
- Sensitivity
- -
- 96 dB/mW
- Bluetooth
- 5.0
- 4.1
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- AAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Battery life
- 9 h
- 10.5 h
- Battery incl. case
- 24 h
- -
- Quick charge
- 5 min → 1.5 h
- 5 min → 1 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- -
- Companion app
- Yes
- -
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- -
- Weight
- 8.7 g
- -
- Case weight
- 80 g
- -
- Water resistance
- IPX4
- -
- Detachable cable
- No
- -
- USB-C
- No
- No
- Model code
- -
- MNLX2LL/A
- Microphones
- -
- 1
What reviewers said
Beats Powerbeats
These wireless neckbuds are built for workouts, offering a secure fit, long-lasting battery, and quick charging to keep you moving. They deliver a balanced sound with clear vocals, though the treble can be a bit soft, and they rely on Apple's H1 chip for easy pairing and Siri access. While they lack noise cancellation and modern USB-C, their sporty design and reliable performance make them a solid pick for active listeners.
- Pro:Excellent battery life with fast charging
- Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for exercise
- Pro:Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with multipoint
- Con:No active noise cancellation
- Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs
- Con:No USB-C charging port
Powerbeats3 Wireless
The Powerbeats3 Wireless are sport-focused earphones with a neckband design and ear hooks for a stable fit. They pair easily with Apple gear thanks to the W1 chip, offer around 10.5 hours of playback per charge, and include a quick-charge feature for a quick boost. These are a solid option for workouts, though they lack modern USB-C and advanced codecs.
- Pro:Secure ear-hook fit for exercise
- Pro:Fast pairing with Apple devices
- Pro:Quick charge gives 1 hour from 5 minutes
- Con:Only AAC codec support
- Con:Older Bluetooth 4.1 standard
- Con:No USB-C charging
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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