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 laborious to not examine them to the brand-new AirPods Professional 3, which have been additionally just lately launched.
Whereas each are designed to work seamlessly with the iPhone, they do have some key variations. When you’re not sure 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 have been designed for very completely different existence.
Powerbeats Match are clearly constructed with sports activities and exercises in thoughts. Beats redesigned the wingtip to be extra versatile, which provides them a safer match for operating or gymnasium classes. The case can also be smaller than the previous Beats Match Professional, although it nonetheless expenses solely through USB-C. Sadly, there’s no wi-fi charging right here.
AirPods Professional 3, then again, is a extra premium possibility centered on on a regular basis use. They arrive with new foam-infused silicone suggestions 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.
Foundry
Not like Powerbeats Match, the AirPods Professional 3 charging case helps MagSafe wi-fi charging. Plus, it additionally helps you to add a lanyard and has a built-in speaker for Discover My alerts. AirPods Professional 3 additionally provides 5 completely different ear tip measurement choices: XXS, XS, S, M, and L. Powerbeats Match, then again, 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 everyday Beats tuning with stable bass, plus respectable Lively Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes.
Foundry
The AirPods Professional 3 hold 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 also be rather 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 Customized Spatial Audio.
In case your priorities are one of the best sound and noise cancellation, the AirPods Professional 3 are simply the best alternative.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Battery life
With regards to wi-fi headphones and earbuds, many customers are involved about battery life. Whether or not it’s for getting via a protracted day at work or a transatlantic flight, having extra battery life is all the time an excellent benefit.
Surprisingly, each Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 ship very related outcomes on this regard, with only some variations.
Powerbeats Match ship as much as 7 hours of playback on a single cost. Mixed with the charging case, you should use them for as much as 30 hours.
AirPods Professional 3, then again, 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 offers you extra complete battery if it is advisable recharge them on the go.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Health and good options
First, let’s dive into what Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 have in widespread. They each assist options reminiscent of “Hey Siri,” Introduced Notifications, quick pairing with iOS, computerized gadget 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 supply some further options. This contains Adaptive Mode and the just lately introduced Stay Translation. The most recent AirPods additionally supply 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 charge 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 charge measurement.
On the identical time, Powerbeats Match are extra common in relation to working with different platforms. Android customers can obtain the Beats app to unlock fast pairing, widgets, EQ changes, and placement monitoring.
If you’d like all the newest options, AirPods Professional 3 are the proper alternative. However if you happen to plan to make use of your earbuds with an Android cellphone 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 coloration choices like Spark Orange and Energy Pink, and they’re additionally accessible in grey and black.
When you wish to match your earbuds with the remainder of your outfit, Powerbeats Match may go well with you nicely. I particularly love the brand new Powerbeats Slot in Spark Orange – they go nicely with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Professional and in addition with the brand new orange rugged case from Beats.
Foundry
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Water resistance
Powerbeats Match are IPX4 licensed, which suggests they’re splash resistant. You need to use them within the rain with none worries, however submerging them in water will not be a good suggestion.
AirPods Professional 3 are IP57 licensed, making them extra proof against being submerged in water for a couple of minutes, in addition to being mud resistant. So if you happen to’re a slipshod one who usually washes your earbuds together with your pants, go along 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 have been launched earlier this yr, compete extra immediately 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 in addition the built-in coronary heart charge sensor.
As well as, Powerbeats Professional 2 provides an much more safe match with lengthy earhooks, excellent for sports activities (though they could be a bit annoying if you happen to put on glasses). In addition they ship as much as 8 hours of playback on a single cost and as much as 36 further hours with the charging case.
Foundry
Sadly, regardless of having the H2 chip, they nonetheless lack assist for the brand new Stay Translation characteristic in iOS 26. No less than in addition they include 5 completely 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. When you nonetheless have older AirPods or different earbuds, you’ll undoubtedly like them.
When you’re keen to spend a bit extra and the safe health match isn’t a problem for you, go along with the AirPods Professional 3. They provide one of the best sound, one of the best ANC, and in addition some unique options. They’re excellent for iPhone customers who already personal AirPods Professional and need to take their expertise one step additional.
And if you happen to’re a critical athlete who wants an especially safe match and in addition desires issues like higher ANC and a coronary heart charge 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 person you might be.
Talking of worth, right here’s how a lot each prices, although they will usually be discovered on sale:
On the finish of the day, Apple and Beats now supply a lineup that covers practically each sort of person. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the last word exercise earbuds, an on a regular basis companion to your iPhone, or one thing in between, there’s an possibility for you.