Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the upgrade from the Beats Powerbeats Pro?
Verdict
Clear upgrade
Going from the Beats Powerbeats Pro to the Apple AirPods Pro 3 buys you 22.0 points of HearWiki score - a clear step up that reviewers agree on rather than a marketing refresh. The gains are concentrated in sound (7.4 to 8.6) and calls (6.8 to 7.4). On paper: active noise cancelling, weight 21 g to 5.5 g and bluetooth 5.0 to 5.3. Worth checking: battery life goes 9 h to 8 h and driver size goes 12 mm to 10.7 mm. It's also $71 cheaper, which makes this an easy call. If your current pair is worn out or the gains line up with how you listen, this one is worth the money.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound7.48.6
- Battery7.57.3
- Calls6.87.4
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro | AirPods Pro 3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 9 h | 8 h | |
| Active noise cancelling | No | Yes | |
| Weight | 21 g | 5.5 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
| Multipoint pairing | No | Yes | |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 | |
| Driver size | 12 mm | 10.7 mm | |
| Case weight | 80 g | 44 g | |
| Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
| USB-C | No | Yes | |
| Controls | buttons | touch | |
| Driver | 12 mm dynamic | 10.7 mm dynamic |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "Powerbeats Pro to AirPods Pro 3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.