Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Beats’s Powerbeats Pro 2 and Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 target the same premium wireless earbuds space in different ways. The numbers lean one way: the Powerbeats Pro 2 comes out ahead in 1 of the 3 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the battery & charging category. So which one fits you better? The breakdown below should make that clearer.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Powerbeats Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price AirPods Pro 3 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging8.2
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 has 12 h more total battery with the case
When it comes to battery (with case), the Powerbeats Pro 2 wins comfortably with 36 h against 24 h. The Powerbeats Pro 2’s case holds more extra charge, which is handy on trips.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has a 0.11 oz lighter build
It’s a lopsided result (0.20 oz for the AirPods Pro 3, 0.31 oz for the Powerbeats Pro 2) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The AirPods Pro 3 puts less weight on your ears or head, which adds up over a full day.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has a tougher IP57 rating
The spread here is large: IP57 on the AirPods Pro 3 versus IPX4 on the Powerbeats Pro 2. Expect to notice it. Water resistance ratings describe lab conditions and don’t make the pair safe for swimming unless stated.
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The AirPods Pro 3 has
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the AirPods Pro 3 makes its strongest case: 1.55 oz against 2.43 oz. The AirPods Pro 3’s case is lighter, one less thing weighing down your pocket.
Design & Size
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is 0.11 oz heavier than the AirPods Pro 3.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.20 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.55 oz (winner) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
The differences on sound & noise cancelling are small enough to ignore in daily use. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Battery & Charging
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads
This is one of the Powerbeats Pro 2’s strongest areas. On battery & charging, the AirPods Pro 3 falls well short. The Powerbeats Pro 2 adds 12 h more total battery with the case. Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in. On battery & charging alone, the Powerbeats Pro 2 gets the nod.
Battery (with case)
Powerbeats Pro 2: 36 h AirPods Pro 3: 24 h A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
Call the features & connectivity round a draw. In short, features & connectivity is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h | 8 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 36 h (winner) Most total battery | 24 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes | Yes |
| Hearing health features | N/A (not specified) | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Controls | Physical button + volume rocker on each earbud | Force sensor, swipe for volume |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP57 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.20 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.55 oz (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $250 | $249 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Price is almost a tie, with the AirPods Pro 3 launching $1 below the Powerbeats Pro 2. If $1 isn’t a stretch, the Powerbeats Pro 2 gives you 12 h more total battery with the case.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Powerbeats Pro 2 if…
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (36 h vs 24 h)
- you trust Beats and want to keep things familiar
Choose the AirPods Pro 3 if…
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.20 oz vs 0.31 oz)
- you want the tougher water resistance rating (IP57 vs IPX4)
- you want the lighter case (1.55 oz vs 2.43 oz)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($1 less)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 3?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if what you want most is a 0.11 oz lighter build.
Which has better battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 3?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Powerbeats Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 3 are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Is the Powerbeats Pro 2 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 3?
At launch, the AirPods Pro 3 undercut the Powerbeats Pro 2 by $1. These figures are as of September 2025, and street prices can change.
Which weighs less, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 3?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is the heavier of the two; the AirPods Pro 3 saves 0.11 oz.
Executive Summary
Cross-brand comparisons are where I find the real differences in philosophy, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 versus the AirPods Pro 3 shows that nicely. My main argument for the Powerbeats Pro 2? It comes with 12 h more total battery with the case. Still, if you care most about a 0.11 oz lighter build, the AirPods Pro 3 deserves a look.
Your priorities do the choosing here: battery & charging points to the Powerbeats Pro 2, comfort to the AirPods Pro 3.
My pick: the Powerbeats Pro 2 gets my vote, but the AirPods Pro 3 is the right call if you value a 0.11 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.