Beats just lately launched the brand new Powerbeats Match – a revamped model of the favored Beats Match Professional. The earbuds are a substitute for Apple’s AirPods, and it’s exhausting to not examine them to the brand-new AirPods Professional 3, which had been additionally just lately launched.
Whereas each are designed to work seamlessly with the iPhone, they do have some key variations. For those who’re uncertain which one is best for you, learn on as we examine Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 in design, sound high quality, and extra.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Design and luxury
The very first thing you’ll discover is that the 2 earbuds had been designed for very totally different life.
Powerbeats Match are clearly constructed with sports activities and exercises in thoughts. Beats redesigned the wingtip to be extra versatile, which supplies them a safer match for operating or health club classes. The case can be smaller than the outdated Beats Match Professional, although it nonetheless expenses solely by way of USB-C. Sadly, there’s no wi-fi charging right here.
AirPods Professional 3, alternatively, is a extra premium possibility targeted on on a regular basis use. They arrive with new foam-infused silicone ideas for a greater seal and luxury throughout lengthy listening classes. Apple additionally ensures a safe match with AirPods Professional, however not having a wingtip makes them extra more likely to fall out of your ears throughout very intense exercises.
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In contrast to Powerbeats Match, the AirPods Professional 3 charging case helps MagSafe wi-fi charging. Plus, it additionally permits you to add a lanyard and has a built-in speaker for Discover My alerts. AirPods Professional 3 additionally affords 5 totally different ear tip dimension choices: XXS, XS, S, M, and L. Powerbeats Match, alternatively, doesn’t have the XXS possibility.
For stability throughout exercises, the Powerbeats Match are the clear winners with versatile wingtips and a extra rugged design. For all-day consolation and a extra refined look, AirPods Professional 3 take the lead.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Sound high quality and ANC
That is the place the hole between the 2 fashions turns into clearer.
The Powerbeats Match use Apple’s H1 chip, so their sound high quality and noise cancellation are roughly on par with the first-generation AirPods Professional. They sound good, however not cutting-edge. It’s the standard Beats tuning with stable bass, plus respectable Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes.
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The AirPods Professional 3 maintain the identical H2 chip launched with the AirPods Professional 2, however with minor acoustic updates. In comparison with Powerbeats Match, AirPods Professional 3 have a extra immersive and clear sound. The ANC in AirPods Professional 3 can be way more environment friendly, even higher than in AirPods Professional 2.
Each AirPods Professional 3 and Powerbeats Match assist Adaptive EQ, which intelligently adapts the sound to match your environment and the match of every earbud, and Personalised Spatial Audio.
In case your priorities are the very best sound and noise cancellation, the AirPods Professional 3 are simply the best alternative.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Battery life
In the case of wi-fi headphones and earbuds, many customers are involved about battery life. Whether or not it’s for getting by an extended day at work or a transatlantic flight, having extra battery life is at all times an excellent benefit.
Surprisingly, each Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 ship very comparable outcomes on this regard, with just a few variations.
Powerbeats Match ship as much as 7 hours of playback on a single cost. Mixed with the charging case, you need to use them for as much as 30 hours.
AirPods Professional 3, alternatively, now last as long as 8 hours of playback on a single cost. Nonetheless, its charging case has a smaller battery and extends playback time to as much as 24 hours.
In different phrases: AirPods Professional 3 final a bit longer on a single cost, however the Powerbeats Match’s case provides you extra whole battery if that you must recharge them on the go.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Health and sensible options
First, let’s dive into what Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 have in frequent. They each assist options similar to “Hey Siri,” Introduced Notifications, quick pairing with iOS, computerized machine switching, auto-pause, and Discover My assist.
Nonetheless, since Powerbeats Match have the H1 chip and AirPods Professional 3 have the H2 chip, Apple-branded earbuds provide some additional options. This contains Adaptive Mode and the just lately introduced Reside Translation. The most recent AirPods additionally provide decrease latency and can be utilized as lavalier microphones when paired with an iPhone.
One other characteristic unique to AirPods Professional 3 is a coronary heart price sensor for monitoring exercises with out the necessity for an Apple Watch. And even when you have an Apple Watch, the sensor within the earbuds can enhance the accuracy of coronary heart price measurement.
On the identical time, Powerbeats Match are extra common in terms of working with different platforms. Android customers can obtain the Beats app to unlock fast pairing, widgets, EQ changes, and site monitoring.
If you need all the newest options, AirPods Professional 3 are the proper alternative. However in the event you plan to make use of your earbuds with an Android telephone or pill, Powerbeats Match are a greater possibility.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Coloration choices
That is the place Beats nonetheless stands out. Whereas AirPods Professional 3 are solely accessible in white, Powerbeats Match are available in enjoyable colour choices like Spark Orange and Energy Pink, and they’re additionally accessible in grey and black.
For those who wish to match your earbuds with the remainder of your outfit, Powerbeats Match may swimsuit you nicely. I particularly love the brand new Powerbeats Slot in Spark Orange – they go nicely with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Professional and likewise with the brand new orange rugged case from Beats.
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Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Water resistance
Powerbeats Match are IPX4 licensed, which implies they’re splash resistant. You should use them within the rain with none worries, however submerging them in water isn’t a good suggestion.
AirPods Professional 3 are IP57 licensed, making them extra immune to being submerged in water for a couple of minutes, in addition to being mud resistant. So in the event you’re a careless one who usually washes your earbuds together with your pants, go together with AirPods Professional 3.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: A 3rd possibility…
What if I informed you there’s additionally a 3rd possibility for you? Powerbeats Professional 2, which had been launched earlier this 12 months, compete extra instantly with Apple’s AirPods Professional. They’ve the H2 chip with decrease latency and higher ANC (although not precisely the identical because the AirPods Professional 3), and likewise the built-in coronary heart price sensor.
As well as, Powerbeats Professional 2 affords an much more safe match with lengthy earhooks, preferrred for sports activities (though they could be a bit annoying in the event you put on glasses). In addition they ship as much as 8 hours of playback on a single cost and as much as 36 additional hours with the charging case.
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Sadly, regardless of having the H2 chip, they nonetheless lack assist for the brand new Reside Translation characteristic in iOS 26. No less than in addition they include 5 totally different sizes of silicone tip – though they’re not foam-filled.
Powerbeats Match or AirPods Professional 3: Which one must you purchase?
Once more, they’re all nice wi-fi earbuds, every with their very own distinctive options geared toward a special viewers.
Powerbeats Match are greatest for runners, gym-goers, and anybody who desires earbuds that keep put it doesn’t matter what. They sound respectable and have good ANC for many conditions. They’re additionally a bit cheaper and are available in additional colours. Plus, they’re extra fitted to Android customers. For those who nonetheless have older AirPods or different earbuds, you’ll undoubtedly like them.
For those who’re keen to spend a bit extra and the safe health match isn’t a difficulty for you, go together with the AirPods Professional 3. They provide the very best sound, the very best ANC, and likewise some unique options. They’re preferrred for iPhone customers who already personal AirPods Professional and need to take their expertise one step additional.
And in the event you’re a critical athlete who wants a particularly safe match and likewise desires issues like higher ANC and a coronary heart price sensor for exercises, Powerbeats Professional 2 is the proper alternative for you. They value the identical as AirPods Professional 3, so it’s a alternative about what sort of consumer you might be.
Talking of value, right here’s how a lot every one prices, although they will usually be discovered on sale:
On the finish of the day, Apple and Beats now provide a lineup that covers almost each sort of consumer. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the last word exercise earbuds, an on a regular basis companion in your iPhone, or one thing in between, there’s an possibility for you.
