Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Same DNA, different buds

Apple’s latest earbuds lineup presents two very different visions of what premium wireless audio can be. On one hand, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 act as an all-in-one gadget — a pair of earbuds, hearing aids, translator, and fitness tracker all rolled into one. On the other hand, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 focus squarely on athletic performance, offering a secure fit and reliable Active Noise Canceling (ANC) for workouts. After testing both, I found that while the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 share the same Apple DNA, their priorities couldn’t be more different.

What’s it like to use the Apple AirPods Pro 3 compared to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

The AirPods Pro 3 retain Apple’s iconic white stemmed design but introduce subtle tweaks that improve fit and comfort. The smaller bulb and deeper insertion promise a more reliable seal, while the new foam-infused ear tips offer a balance of comfort and isolation. In my experience, the fit felt more secure than the AirPods Pro 2, but the smooth silicone coating still caused some slippage once sweat and skin oils accumulated. I appreciated the innovation, but I still prefer traditional foam tips for long-term stability.

Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are built with athletes in mind. Their over-ear hook design ensures that the earbuds stay locked in place even during intense workouts. In testing, they never slipped, although I did notice some pressure behind my ears after a few hours. The five included ear tip sizes help achieve a proper seal, and the IPX4 water resistance rating offers reassurance against sweat. While the large charging case is still bulkier than Apple’s, it’s far smaller than the first-gen Powerbeats Pro, making it easier to pocket.

In short, the AirPods Pro 3 feel more versatile and everyday-friendly, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 are purpose-built for movement and stability — a better choice for gym-goers or runners.

Do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have more features?

This one isn’t even close. The AirPods Pro 3 are packed with tech. Beyond standard ANC and Spatial Audio, they function as a hearing aid, a fitness tracker, and a real-time translator. The built-in heart rate sensor can log workouts and sync with the Apple Health app. However, accuracy drops if the earbuds loosen during high-intensity training. The hearing aid and hearing protection modes work impressively well for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, and the Live Translation feature shows promise despite noticeable lag and occasional misinterpretations.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 take a more focused approach. Their defining feature is the heart rate monitor, which matches Apple Watch readings during workouts. However, they don’t track additional metrics, such as steps or distance. Beyond that, you get Active Noise Canceling, Transparency mode, and Spatial Audio features. I also appreciated how easily they integrate with Apple devices via the H2 chip, while Android users can customize settings through the Beats app. Still, these earbuds don’t offer the same experimental ecosystem-level features found on the AirPods Pro 3.

The AirPods Pro 3 are the clear feature champion, but if you prioritize workout reliability and simplicity, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the more practical choice.

How do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 connect?

Both earbuds operate Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the SBC and AAC codecs. The AirPods Pro 3 rely on Apple’s H2 chip for seamless pairing, automatic switching, and Spatial Audio processing, while the case adds a U2 chip for precise Find My tracking. However, Android users are locked out of most features and can only stream audio without any meaningful customization or firmware updates.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 also use the company’s H2 chip, offering the same effortless iCloud syncing and device switching for Apple users. Android fans receive more flexibility here thanks to the Beats app. However, pairing across platforms can be cumbersome, since the earbuds must be disconnected from Apple devices first. Neither pair supports higher-quality codecs or lossless streaming.

Overall, both earbuds perform best in Apple’s ecosystem, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer slightly better cross-platform usability.

Is battery life better on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

Battery life is one area where the Powerbeats Pro 2 dominate. They deliver up to 10 hours of playback per charge, and up to 45 hours total with the case when ANC is off. That’s roughly double what the AirPods Pro 3 manage. The new USB-C and wireless charging support make topping up easy, and you’ll rarely worry about running out of power during long workout sessions.

The AirPods Pro 3 improved over their predecessors, lasting 8 hours and 42 minutes with ANC enabled in our test — a strong showing for their size. The charging case supports USB-C, wireless charging, and even Apple Watch chargers. A quick five-minute charge provides roughly an hour of playback, which I found genuinely convenient on the go.

For marathon endurance, Powerbeats win easily. For portability and charging versatility, the AirPods Pro 3 take the edge.

Do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 block noise better?

In testing, both models performed well, but the AirPods Pro 3 are clearly superior. They reduce outside noise by an average of 90%, ranking among the best noise-canceling earbuds we’ve tested here at SoundGuys. This makes them excellent for travel or office use, where chatter and hum can be intrusive. The improved seal and adaptive ANC work well together to make the world around you appear substantially quieter than without the buds.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 offer solid noise canceling, too, cutting ambient noise by around 83%. In a gym or on the street, they handled external sound well enough that I barely noticed background clatter. Transparency mode is equally impressive on both, with Apple’s implementation making conversation feel completely natural.

While both deliver excellent isolation, the AirPods Pro 3 provide a more powerful and consistent ANC experience.

Do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 sound better than the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

The AirPods Pro 3 sound impressive thanks to Apple’s redesigned acoustic chamber. They deliver improved bass response and stereo performance without overpowering the midrange. In songs like “party 4 u” by Charli XCX, reverbs create a good illusion of 3D space, while bass lines in “CODEINE” by er808 and NXSTY remain detailed. However, I did notice that the bass can feel a bit overemphasized at times — likely due to fit variations — and the lack of EQ adjustments remains frustrating. Still, the Spatial Audio experience in movies like Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is phenomenal, creating a convincing illusion of 3D sound that few earbuds can match.

The Powerbeats Pro 2, meanwhile, have a darker quality that caters to those who enjoy energetic workout playlists with prominent bass. For example, listening to songs like “10:35” by Tiësto and Tate McRae showcases powerful kick drums and vocals, but the upper treble feels subdued. Strangely, without ANC, the overall sound quality drops notably. This is due to underemphasized mids, and there’s also no custom EQ for the Powerbeats Pro 2. Instead, the earbuds utilize Apple’s Adaptive EQ feature to adjust the sound profile according to their fit.

Objective Measurements

The AirPods Pro 3 have a mostly flat response that follows our house curve. However, they exhibit a slightly elevated bass and a peak near 6kHz that makes vocals stand out in the mix. The Powerbeats Pro 2, by contrast, have a U-shaped frequency response — accentuated sub-bass and treble, with a dip in bass and mids around 100–900Hz. This makes vocals sound slightly recessed but gives kick drums and cymbals more prominence. In practice, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver music more faithfully, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 are superior for workout motivation and bassheads.

Do the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 have a better microphone?

Both earbuds feature dual beamforming microphones with background noise reduction, and they perform best when paired with iOS devices. In quiet conditions, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver rich, detailed vocals suitable for most conference and casual calls. They also suppress environmental sounds effectively with Voice Isolation, though intense wind can introduce some crackling.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 microphones perform similarly but struggle more in windy situations. Noise suppression is strong in standard environments, but the microphone processing relies heavily on pairing to an iOS device.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Apple AirPods Pro 3 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 microphone demo (Windy conditions):

Overall, the AirPods Pro 3 enjoy a clearer and more consistent microphone experience across different settings.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Price and availability

The Apple AirPods Pro 3 retail for $249 at Amazon, firmly positioning themselves as Apple’s flagship earbuds. Consequently, they are widely available through Apple and major retailers. The Powerbeats Pro 2 target the premium fitness market and carry the same high price tag of $249 at Amazon. AppleCare+ coverage is available for $15 per year, and purchases include a three-month trial of Apple Music.

Both are premium products, but the AirPods Pro 3 offer broader functionality for the same price.

Should you get the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

If you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem and want the most capable earbuds available, the AirPods Pro 3 are the better buy. They sound great, cancel noise extremely well, and add unique extras like heart rate tracking, hearing assistance, and translation — even if not all of them are flawless.

However, if your top priority is fitness, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are hard to beat. Their secure fit, long battery life, and focused feature set make them ideal for athletes who value consistency over experimentation.

In short, choose the AirPods Pro 3 for versatility and everyday excellence or the Powerbeats Pro 2 if you want durable, high-performing workout companions.