Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Best for Apple UsersBeats Powerbeats Pro 2
Best for Gym & WorkoutsPrice
$229-$249
$199-$249
Summary
Best-in-class comfort, transparency mode, and ANC for anyone in the Apple ecosystem. PCMag calls them better than ever with 'leading noise cancellation' and 'first-rate audio.'
The gym earbud Reddit and expert reviewers keep recommending for secure fit, sweat resistance, and now heart rate monitoring. Wirecutter says it has 'everything we want in a set of workout earbuds.'
Pros
- Best transparency mode of any earbud according to Reddit community consensus
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration with instant switching between devices
- Leading ANC in an open-ear design per PCMag testing
- Comfortable fit that works for long listening sessions
- Ear-hook design stays secure during intense workouts and running
- Heart rate monitoring built in — a first for earbuds at this level
- Noise cancellation and wireless charging added over previous gen
- Bass-forward sound that suits energetic workout music
Cons
- Expensive compared to Android-compatible alternatives
- Full feature set locked to Apple devices only
- Open-ear fit doesn't suit all ear shapes
- Bulkier than standard earbuds due to ear-hook design
- Higher price point than many gym-focused alternatives
- Best experience tied to Apple/Beats ecosystem
Our take
If you have an iPhone, stop deliberating — AirPods Pro 3 are the pick. The ecosystem integration alone makes them worth it, and the ANC and transparency mode are genuinely the best you'll find.
For workouts, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the clear winner — the ear-hook design actually stays in during hard efforts, and adding heart rate monitoring makes it a fitness tool, not just earbuds.
Buy
