Wireless Earbuds / Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Fit
Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Beats Powerbeats Fit
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone.
Wins overall by 1.2 points
Quick Verdict
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the stronger all-round pick, ahead by 1.2 points. Outstanding ANC and a real hearing-aid mode — if you own an iPhone.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Fit are both current-generation wireless Earbuds models, and the Beats Powerbeats Fit is $49 cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ($199.99 vs $249). On Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.5 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed. On Call Quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.0 vs 7.5/10) — microphone performance and background noise rejection. On Features, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads (9.0 vs 7.5/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. Overall, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.6/10 across our 8 scoring categories versus 7.4/10 for the Beats Powerbeats Fit. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Beats Powerbeats Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.00 | $199.99 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2025 |
| Battery (ANC on) (hrs) | 8✓ | 6 |
| Battery with Case (hrs) | 24 | 24 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Apple ANC on the H2 chip; Apple claims roughly twice the noise reduction of AirPods Pro 2 | Active Noise Cancelling with Transparency, using six microphones |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published by the manufacturer | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | Class 1 Bluetooth; Beats does not publish a version number |
| Multipoint | No — Apple offers iCloud automatic device switching, which hands the connection over rather than holding two at once | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Water Resistance | IP57 | IPX4 buds and case |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | No |
| Weight per Bud (g) | 5.55✓ | 5.78 |
| Codecs | SBC and AAC only — no aptX or LDAC | Not published by Beats |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Yes, with dynamic head tracking |
| App EQ | No | Not published by the manufacturer |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | White | Spark Orange, Black, Power Pink, Gravel Grey |
Category Scores
Sound Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on tuning, detail and codec support. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Noise Cancelling
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.5 against 7.0 — a 2.5-point margin on how much ambient noise is actually removed. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Battery
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.0 against 7.0 — a 1.0-point margin on playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Comfort & Fit
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 8.5 — a 0.5-point margin on weight, fit options and how they feel over long sessions. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Call Quality
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-point margin on microphone performance and background noise rejection. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Features
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 9.0 against 7.5 — a 1.5-point margin on app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Durability
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 8.5 against 7.5 — a 1.0-point margin on IP rating, build materials and case robustness. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Value
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 leads clearly here, 7.5 against 7.0 — a 0.5-point margin on features and performance relative to price. If that is what you are buying for, the Beats Powerbeats Fit does not close the gap elsewhere.
Best For
Choose the Apple AirPods Pro 3 if…
- • Noise Cancelling matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.5/10 here (how much ambient noise is actually removed).
- • Call Quality matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (microphone performance and background noise rejection).
- • Features matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 9.0/10 here (app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras).
- • Sound Quality matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.5/10 here (tuning, detail and codec support).
- • Battery matters most to you — the Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.0/10 here (playtime in the buds and total runtime with the case).
Choose the Beats Powerbeats Fit if…
- • You want to spend less — it's $49 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Pros
- +Among the best noise cancelling in any earbud, and a huge step over the Pro 2
- +The FDA-authorised hearing aid feature is a genuine health function, not a gimmick
- +IP57 is the toughest rating here
- +Heart-rate sensing and Live Translation
Cons
- −No EQ of any kind — you cannot adjust the tuning at all
- −No true multipoint, only Apple device switching
- −AAC and SBC only, with no hi-res codec
- −On Android you get playback and almost nothing else — you cannot even update the firmware without an Apple device
Beats Powerbeats Fit
Pros
- +The wingtip fit is the most secure here for running and gym work
- +Works properly on both iOS and Android, with an official Beats app on each
- +Case is noticeably smaller than the Fit Pro it replaces
- +Spatial Audio with head tracking on Apple devices
Cons
- −H1 chip rather than the H2 in AirPods Pro 3, so a generation behind
- −No wireless charging
- −Beats publishes neither codec support nor a Bluetooth version
- −Only IPX4, so no dust rating despite the workout positioning
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or Beats Powerbeats Fit better overall?+
Based on our 8-category scoring, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which is better for Noise Cancelling, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Noise Cancelling (9.5/10 vs 7.0/10) — how much ambient noise is actually removed.
Which is better for Call Quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Call Quality (9.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — microphone performance and background noise rejection.
Which is better for Features, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Features (9.0/10 vs 7.5/10) — app depth, spatial audio, multipoint and extras.
Which is better for Sound Quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 or the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 scores higher on Sound Quality (8.5/10 vs 7.5/10) — tuning, detail and codec support.
Is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 worth the price difference over the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Beats Powerbeats Fit is the cheaper option at $199.99 versus $249. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in Noise Cancelling.
Which is better suited to my use case?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the better fit if you mainly care about calls. The Beats Powerbeats Fit is the better fit for workout or commute.
What's the warranty on the Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs the Beats Powerbeats Fit?+
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 ships with a 12-month warranty; the Beats Powerbeats Fit ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Soundcore Liberty 4 NC — $99.99
Premium Option
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro — $249.99
Specifications and prices for both products last verified . Scores are calculated from published specifications — see how we compare products.