I’ve been using the AirPods Pro 3 for my workouts. Here’s how they performed.

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I was once a harsh critic of people who worked with them Airpods. Not only did it feel awkward, but the buds themselves provided no stability on the ear, making them more of a liability than an asset. then AirPods Pro He came out…and I’m still thinking the same thing. That was until I actually practiced with them.

Apple Noise canceling buds It quickly became a favorite exercise. then AirPods Pro 2 They dropped and became my favorite headphones for a long time (up to eight months), thanks to their dynamic sound, noteworthy ANC, and secure fit through an in-ear design with silicone tips. The combination of flawless voice activation and ease of wear with sweat/water resistance (IPX4) also made it suitable for exercise.

Now that AirPods Pro 3 Launched with advanced health features and a new ergonomic design, it seems safe to make it my next gym partner. But don’t jump to that conclusion yet.

I’ve been digging Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 For the past six months, I take them Best earbuds for working out total. Not everything reaches its goal (the ANC is disappointing). However, the Powerbeats Pro 2 meets the most important criteria in the subcategory: sound quality, battery life, and serviceability.

Since the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 share identical features and specs, I expected nothing but greatness from Apple’s headphones during workouts. This turns out to be mostly true. Some issues were present, and could be deal breakers, depending on your needs.

Here are my thoughts on using the AirPods Pro 3 for exercise.

Apple’s most improved fitness buds ever

Let’s get to the killer feature of the AirPods Pro 3: heart rate monitoring. They’re more effective than any other pair of HRM-equipped earbuds, including the Powerbeats Pro 2. Optical sensors near the tip shine infrared light that pulses 256 times per second to check blood flow in your ears. Apple has also enhanced its algorithms to capture data as accurately as possible.

I compared the readings between the AirPods Pro 3 (via the Fitness app) and… Fitbit Charge 6which has optical sensors to measure blood flow on the wrist, and I was surprised at how close the results were. The HRM sensors on the treadmill even tracked heart rate (bpm) close to the AirPods Pro 3.

Speed ​​of light mashable

HRM isn’t the only thing that makes AirPods Pro 3 ideal for workouts. IP57 dust and water resistance protects the earphones and charging case from excessive moisture damage. Touch sensors on the stems allow you to easily adjust the volume with swipe gestures. “Hey Siri” voice activation puts functionality on the tip of your tongue; It was very easy to answer calls and switch playlists without using my hands.

Apple’s listening modes give the AirPods Pro 3 a huge advantage over other sports headphones. Transparency mode raises ambient awareness to an incredibly high level. I could hear pedestrians and vehicles loud and clear when running outside. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts to your surroundings by mixing ANC and Transparency modes for optimal listening. Custom Volume does the same thing and learns from your listening habits to adjust volume settings over time. Finally, Conversation Awareness lowers the media volume and enhances the voices in front of you.

Custom fit with unmatched comfort

These are the most convenient AirPods ever. The audio port occupies the widest range and fits perfectly in your ear. Apple’s silicone tips form a tight seal when properly adjusted, and they have good sweat absorption to reduce slippage.

At first, I was afraid of breaking these buds on the treadmill, especially after seeing them iFixit Repairability score very poor 0/10. However, I calmed down the more I trained with them. The AirPods Pro 3 never fell out during running or heavy side exercises (e.g., side-to-side lunges).

Unfortunately, the updated design affects comfort. Since the sound port protrudes more, it puts pressure on the canal and conch. My ears felt tired after three hours of wear. Anyone with a high pain threshold should get about five hours of use before they feel discomfort.

A sound fueled by energy

The sound on the AirPods Pro 3 is more lively than its predecessor. Apple has updated its acoustic architecture to deliver deeper bass response and added clarity to your ears. The low end is better controlled and more impactful. This is exactly what you want from a fitness standpoint. Additionally, the adaptive EQ system does a great job of adjusting the sound in real time.

Dedicated spatial audio may be the most underrated fitness feature. I’ve used it several times when watching workout videos and enjoyed the extra layer of realism it provided. The instructors sounded prominent over ambient noise and musical instruments. This gave off personal trainer vibes. Spatial audio is more suitable for Apple Music and creates an immersive soundscape for Dolby Atmos tracks. The drums and synth were strong, while the treble remained warm and crisp.

Android users are looking elsewhere

I previously tested the AirPods Pro 3 as an Android user, and things didn’t go smoothly. They are not optimized for use with Google’s mobile operating system. Beats headphones and earbuds are, but the AirPods Pro 3 run on an H2 processor rather than Beats’ own chips, which are designed to work seamlessly with iOS/macOS and Android.

In this case, Android users lose out on all the major AirPods Pro 3 features, including HRM, spatial audio, and voice assistance.

Bottom line

The AirPods Pro 3 are excellent workout buds that deliver industry-leading performance across the board. More testing is needed to determine if they’re a better fitness buddy than the Powerbeats Pro 2. What I will tell you is that the AirPods Pro 3’s superior heart rate monitoring, coupled with the addition of Apple’s latest listening modes, puts them ahead of the pack right now.