At a look
Our Verdict
Each Powerbeats Match and AirPods Professional 3 work seamlessly with the iPhone, however they’re constructed for very completely different sorts of customers.
Value When Reviewed
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Greatest Pricing At present
Greatest Costs At present: Powerbeats Match
$199.95
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 evaluate 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 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 have been designed for very completely 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 working or fitness center classes. The case can be smaller than the outdated Beats Match Professional, although it nonetheless expenses solely through USB-C. Sadly, there’s no wi-fi charging right here.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 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
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 gives 5 completely 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 strong bass, plus respectable Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency modes.

Foundry
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
Relating to wi-fi headphones and earbuds, many customers are involved about battery life. Whether or not it’s for getting by way of an extended day at work or a transatlantic flight, having extra battery life is at all times 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 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 offers you extra whole battery if it is advisable 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 frequent. They each assist options corresponding to “Hey Siri,” Introduced Notifications, quick pairing with iOS, computerized system 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 newest 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 price 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 price measurement.
On the identical time, Powerbeats Match are extra common with regards to working with different platforms. Android customers can obtain the Beats app to unlock fast pairing, widgets, EQ changes, and placement monitoring.
If you would like all the newest options, AirPods Professional 3 are the precise selection. However in case 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: Colour choices
That is the place Beats nonetheless stands out. Whereas AirPods Professional 3 are solely out there in white, Powerbeats Match are available in enjoyable coloration choices like Spark Orange and Energy Pink, and they’re additionally out there in grey and black.
When you wish to match your earbuds with the remainder of your outfit, Powerbeats Match may go well with you effectively. I particularly love the brand new Powerbeats Slot in Spark Orange – they go effectively 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 implies they’re splash resistant. You need to 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 case 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 instructed you there’s additionally a 3rd possibility for you? Powerbeats Professional 2, which have been launched earlier this 12 months, compete extra straight 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 price sensor.
As well as, Powerbeats Professional 2 gives an much more safe match with lengthy earhooks, perfect for sports activities (though they could be a bit annoying in case you put on glasses). Additionally 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. Not 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 do you have to purchase?
Once more, they’re all nice wi-fi earbuds, every with their very own distinctive options geared toward a distinct viewers.
Powerbeats Match are greatest for runners, gym-goers, and anybody who needs 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. When you nonetheless have older AirPods or different earbuds, you’ll positively like them.
When you’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 perfect sound, the perfect ANC, and in addition some unique options. They’re perfect for iPhone customers who already personal AirPods Professional and need to take their expertise one step additional.
And in case you’re a critical athlete who wants a particularly safe match and in addition needs issues like higher ANC and a coronary heart price 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 consumer 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 kind of consumer. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the last word exercise earbuds, an on a regular basis companion on your iPhone, or one thing in between, there’s an possibility for you.
