Apple's AirPods Pro 3 now have heart monitoring, the same feature as the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Here's how the two ear-based fitness trackers size up.
The AirPods Pro 3 arrive with a number of improvements, but there are two big introductions that got the biggest reaction from commentators. Live translations and heart rate tracking.
While Live translations will be an all-new experience, heart rate tracking in an audio product is something Apple has done before.
Earlier in 2025, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 launched with heart beat monitoring as part of its 2025 overhaul. At the time, it was considered a precursor to the same function becoming part of a future AirPods release.
With the new AirPods Pro sporting the fitness feature, Apple users now have two alternatives to heart rate tracking via their Apple Watch.
AirPods Pro 3
This is how the new AirPods Pro 3 compare to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Specifications
| Specifications | AirPods Pro 3 | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $249.00 Buy on Amazon | $249.99 Buy on Amazon |
| Dimensions (inches) | 1.22 x 0.76 x 1.06 | 1.8 x 1.6 x 0.9 |
| Weight (ounces) | 0.20 | 0.30 |
| Case Dimensions (inches) | 1.86 x 2.45 x 0.86 | 3.0 x 2.6 x 1.3 |
| Case Weight (ounces) | 1.61 | 2.43 |
| Battery Life (earbuds) | 8 hours with ANC | 8 hours with ANC |
| Battery Life (with case, ANC) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 36 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Controls | Touch control | Beats logo button, Rocker volume |
| Microphones | Dual beamforming microphones, Inward-facing microphone | Three microphones, Inward-facing |
| Sensors | Skin detection, Motion-detecting accelerometer, Speech-detecting accelerometer, Touch control, Heart rate sensor | Optical sensor, Motion-detection, Voice accelerometer, Heart rate sensor |
| Sweat and Water Resistance | IP57 | IPX4 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Features | Adaptive EQ, Audio sharing, Hands-free Siri, Find My, Lossless audio | Adaptive EQ, Audio sharing, Hands-free Siri, Find My, Lossless audio Beats app for Android |
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Design and Dimensions
The AirPods Pro 3 arrive as earphones that are unmistakably AirPods in nature. Indeed, they look a lot closer to AirPods 4 in design than the AirPods Pro 2.
The design has shrunk down each earbud, with each measuring 1.22 inches by 0.76 inches by 1.06 inches.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 also had a bit of a physical change since the previous edition, but they still have an over-ear hook design. This reduces the reliance on an ear-canal-only fit to keep the earbud in place during exercise.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Earhooks make the Powerbeats Pro 2 much bigger than the AirPods Pro 3
It does, however, mean the Powerbeats Pro 2 are much larger, at 1.8 inches by 1.6 inches by 0.9 inches. They're also heavier per earbud, at 0.3 ounces to 0.2 ounces for the AirPods Pro 3.
One other thing that the AirPods Pro 3 follow the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 with is the ear canal fitting. The new earbuds are said to be more comfortable, in part due to new foam-filled silicone eartips.
While the Powerbeats Pro 2 can't match in terms of materials, it can do so in sizing. Following Beats' lead, the AirPods Pro 3 include five different sizes of eartips, increasing the variety of sizes and therefore making it easier for more users to wear them.
Accompanying the earbuds are cases, with the AirPods Pro 3's version measuring 1.86 inches by 2.45 inches by 0.86 inches. The version for the Powerbeats Pro 2 is larger at 3 inches by 2.6 inches by 1.3 inches, but the case has to be bigger to accommodate the earbuds themselves.
Powerbeats Pro 2
The cases are also different when it comes to weight. The AirPods case is 1.61 ounces, while the Powerbeats have a 2.43-ounce case.
Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 have an IP57 rating for sweat and water resistance, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 are IPX4. In either case, they will handle sweat and light rain, but not submergence.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Both have five different sizes of silicone eartips.
The cases also have Find My support, which will help you track them down if they're misplaced. However, while Beats still uses a button for pairing purposes, the AirPods have removed it from the case, and instead rely on a gesture for the same purpose.
When it comes to control, the AirPods still rely on touching and swiping the stem. The Powerbeats instead uses buttons in the Beats logo, as well as rockers for volume on each earbud.
It's arguable that, for those doing physical activities, a rocker for the volume is probably a better choice in the midst of the action.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Features
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency are now standard features for Apple's high-end earphones, and that counts for the Beats lines too. The new version in the AirPods Pro 3 are now able to remove twice as much noise as the second-gen version, and four times that of the original AirPods Pro.
Both also have Adaptive EQ functionality, though again, Apple says the new version in the AirPods Pro 3 has an improved bass. A trio of microphones on each of the earbuds handles audio capture from the user, as well as driving the ANC and EQ experience.
There are other features shared across both earphones, like hands-free Siri, Find My support, and lossless audio. Both also employ Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: AirPods Pro 3 in the case
Where the Beats may pull ahead is through its more advanced Android support. There's the Beats app on Android, which handles firmware updates and configuration.
On iOS, both are very integrated into the Apple ecosystem to an equal level.
The big thing for 2025 in both lines is the heart rate monitoring capability, using sensors that touch the inside of each ear. Much like an Apple Watch, the earbuds repeatedly flash lights into the user's skin to check for blood flow.
However, this is not the same sort of utility as the Apple Watch in either case. You don't get all-day health monitoring, but you do get it when working out.
This does make the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 great for workouts where wearing an Apple Watch could be disadvantageous.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Sensors like these take your pulse.
One thing that the Powerbeats Pro 2 will not be getting is Live Translation. The AirPods Pro 3 feature will capture the audio of another speaker, pass it to your iPhone for translation, then play the audio of the translation back to you via the AirPods.
This is the Star Trek communicator dream, but with a little bit of a lag behind the other person speaking to you. It works well in testing, but it's a shame it won't be used more widely at this time.
This is especially since the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 use the H2 chip, the same one used in the AirPods Pro 3.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Battery life
When it comes to the usage time, the AirPods Pro 3 are claimed to last for up to eight hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled. That drops to 7.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled, 6.5 hours with heart rate sensing enabled, and up to ten hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 can last up to ten hours per charge, eight with ANC enabled.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Beats include a mammoth battery life, partly because of the massive case.
When used with the cases, the Powerbeats Pro can go to 36 hours with ANC on, 45 hours with ANC off. The AirPods Pro 3 can get to 24 hours with the case, used with ANC.
Both models offer fast-charging capabilities. Five minutes in the case equates to an hour of listening for the AirPods Pro, 90 minutes for the Powerbeats Pro 2.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Connectivity
Both the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 connect using Bluetooth 5.3, with the H2 chip enabling instant device switching and pairing.
There is Find My support to varying levels. The AirPods Pro 2 case now uses the U2 location-finding chip, so you can track it down, and even play a sound through the built-in speaker.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 case doesn't have a speaker, but you can still play audio through each earbud.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Price
The new AirPods Pro 3 are priced at $249 and are available only in white.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are also at an MSRP of $249.99, but available in more colors: Electric Orange, Hyper Purple, Quick Sand, and Jet Black. They're regularly on sale at Amazon.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - Which to buy
The situation with the AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is a bit complicated, in part because they are both premium earphones with similar features and specifications. Both are deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, both use the H2 chip, and both work the same way when it comes to measuring a person's heartbeat.
There are differences that users should consider. The chief one being the styling of each.
AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: The new AirPods Pro 3 are sleeker and smarter than ever.
Both use silicone eartips in a multitude of sizes to try to be as comfortable as possible. But Beats uses the earhook as a secondary mounting element.
This does increase the overall size, but it also means you're far less likely to lose an earbud if you're in the middle of a fast-paced workout. For people heavily into fitness, this is probably the main reason to get Powerbeats Pro 2 over the new AirPods Pro 3.
For regular users who would prefer something more discreet or that looks like AirPods, the AirPods Pro 3 remain their main choice.
Where to buy AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Apple's AirPods Pro 3 can be ordered now at Amazon, with the best AirPods deals at your fingertips in our AirPods Price Guide, which is updated throughout the day.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, meanwhile, are regularly on sale at Amazon, with discounted prices at press time ringing in at $199.95.
