Beats not too long ago 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 evaluate them to the brand-new AirPods Professional 3, which had been additionally not too long ago launched.
Whereas each are designed to work seamlessly with the iPhone, they do have some key variations. If you happen to’re not sure which one is best for you, learn on as we evaluate 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 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 working or fitness center periods. The case can be smaller than the previous Beats Match Professional, although it nonetheless costs solely through USB-C. Sadly, there’s no wi-fi charging right here.
AirPods Professional 3, however, is a extra premium choice targeted on on a regular basis use. They arrive with new foam-infused silicone suggestions for a greater seal and luxury throughout lengthy listening periods. 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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Not like 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 completely different ear tip dimension choices: XXS, XS, S, M, and L. Powerbeats Match, however, doesn’t have the XXS choice.
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.
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The AirPods Professional 3 preserve 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 far 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 the perfect sound and noise cancellation, the AirPods Professional 3 are simply the perfect selection.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Battery life
On the subject of wi-fi headphones and earbuds, many customers are involved about battery life. Whether or not it’s for getting by means of a protracted day at work or a transatlantic flight, having extra battery life is at all times a great 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 utilize them for as much as 30 hours.
AirPods Professional 3, however, now last as long as 8 hours of playback on a single cost. Nevertheless, 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 whole battery if you might want to 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, automated system switching, auto-pause, and Discover My assist.
Nevertheless, 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 not too long ago introduced Reside Translation. The newest 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 charge sensor for monitoring exercises with out the necessity for an Apple Watch. And even you probably have an Apple Watch, the sensor within the earbuds can enhance the accuracy of coronary heart charge measurement.
On the similar time, Powerbeats Match are extra common in the case 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 most recent options, AirPods Professional 3 are the precise selection. However if you happen to plan to make use of your earbuds with an Android telephone or pill, Powerbeats Match are a greater choice.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: Shade 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.
If you happen to wish to match your earbuds with the remainder of your outfit, Powerbeats Match would possibly swimsuit you properly. I particularly love the brand new Powerbeats Slot in Spark Orange – they go properly with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Professional and in addition 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 suggests they’re splash resistant. You should utilize 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 if you happen to’re a slipshod one that typically washes your earbuds together with your pants, go together with AirPods Professional 3.
Powerbeats Match vs AirPods Professional 3: A 3rd choice…
What if I instructed you there’s additionally a 3rd choice for you? Powerbeats Professional 2, which had been launched earlier this yr, 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 in addition the built-in coronary heart charge sensor.
As well as, Powerbeats Professional 2 affords an much more safe match with lengthy earhooks, best for sports activities (though they could be a bit annoying if you happen to put on glasses). Additionally 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 additionally they include 5 completely different sizes of silicone tip – though they’re not foam-filled.
Powerbeats Match or AirPods Professional 3: Which one do you have to purchase?
Once more, they’re all nice wi-fi earbuds, every with their very own distinctive options aimed 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 suited to Android customers. If you happen to nonetheless have older AirPods or different earbuds, you’ll undoubtedly like them.
If you happen to’re prepared to spend a bit extra and the safe health match isn’t a problem for you, go together with the AirPods Professional 3. They provide the perfect sound, the perfect ANC, and in addition some unique options. They’re best for iPhone customers who already personal AirPods Professional and need to take their expertise one step additional.
And if you happen to’re a severe athlete who wants a particularly safe match and in addition desires issues like higher ANC and a coronary heart charge sensor for exercises, Powerbeats Professional 2 is the precise selection for you. They price the identical as AirPods Professional 3, so it’s a selection about what sort of person you’re.
Talking of worth, right here’s how a lot every one prices, although they will typically be discovered on sale:
On the finish of the day, Apple and Beats now provide a lineup that covers practically each sort of person. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the final word exercise earbuds, an on a regular basis companion on your iPhone, or one thing in between, there’s an choice for you.
