I used the AirPods Pro 3 for my workouts. Here’s how they performed.

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I used to be a harsh critic of people who trained with their AirPods. Not only did it feel awkward, but the headphones themselves offered no stability on the ear, making them more of a liability than an asset. Then the AirPods Pro came out…and I was still thinking the same thing. It was, until I exercised with them.

Apple noise canceling buds quickly became a workout favorite. Then the AirPods Pro 2 dropped and transformed into my favorite headphones for a long time (up to eight months), thanks to their dynamic sound, remarkable ANC and secure fit thanks to an in-ear design with silicone tips. The combination of seamless voice activation and lightweight portability with sweat and water resistance (IPX4) also makes them exercise-friendly.

Now that the AirPods Pro 3 were launched with advanced health features and a new ergonomic design, it seems a safe bet that I’ll make this my next gym partner. But don’t immediately jump to that conclusion.

Are AirPods Pro 3 my new go-to workout headphones? Keep reading to find out.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

I dug the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 over the last six months, and I consider them to be the best headphones for working out overall. Not everything is up to par (ANC is disappointing). Nevertheless, the Powerbeats Pro 2 meet the most important criteria in the subcategory: audio quality, battery life and ease of maintenance.

Since the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 share identical features and specifications, I expected nothing but greatness from Apple earbuds during workouts. This turned out to be largely true. There were some issues present that could be a hindrance, depending on your needs.

Here are my thoughts on using AirPods Pro 3 to workout.

Apple’s most optimized fitness headphones yet

Let’s move on to the flagship feature of the AirPods Pro 3: heart rate monitoring. It’s more effective than any other pair of earbuds with HRM, including the Powerbeats Pro 2. Optical sensors near the tip emit infrared light that pulses 256 times per second to examine blood flow in your ears. Apple has also improved its algorithms to capture data as accurately as possible.

I compared the readings between my AirPods Pro 3 (via the Fitness app) and FitbitCharge 6which has optical sensors to measure blood flow at the wrist, and was surprised by how close the results were. Even a treadmill’s HRM sensors tracked the BPM (beats per minute) close to the AirPods Pro 3.

My AirPods Pro and Fitbit Charge 6 showed similar heart rate readings.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

HR 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 damage caused by moisture. Touch sensors on the stems let you easily adjust the volume with swipe gestures. “Hey Siri” voice activation puts functionality at the tip of your tongue; it was so convenient to answer calls and swap playlists without using my hands.

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

A personalized fit with compromised comfort

These are the most suitable AirPods yet. The larger sound port occupies the concha and fits your ear perfectly. Apple’s silicone tips form a tight seal when fitted properly and properly absorb sweat to minimize slippage.

These are designed to be the best-fitting AirPods yet.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

At first I was petrified to break these buds on the treadmill, especially after seeing their iFixit repairability score of a terrible 0/10. However, I calmed down as I exercised with them. AirPods Pro 3 never fell out during runs or strenuous lateral exercises (e.g. side lunges).

Unfortunately, the updated design affects comfort. As the sound port protrudes further, it presses against the canal and concha. My ears were tired after three hours of wear. Anyone with a high pain threshold should use it for about five hours before feeling any discomfort.

Sound powered by energy

The sound of AirPods Pro 3 is livelier than that of their predecessor. Apple has updated its acoustic architecture to bring deeper bass response and additional clarity to your ears. The low end is better controlled and more impactful. This is exactly what you’re looking for from a fitness perspective. Additionally, the adaptive EQ does a remarkable job of fine-tuning the sound in real time.

Custom spatial audio is perhaps the most underrated fitness feature. I used it several times while watching exercise videos and appreciated the extra layer of realism it offered. The instructors seemed prominent over the ambient noise and instruments; it gave a personal trainer vibe. Spatial audio is more suitable for Apple Music and creates an immersive soundscape for Dolby Atmos tracks. The drums and synths were robust, while the highs remained warm and crisp.

Android users look elsewhere

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

That being said, Android users lose all of the AirPods Pro 3’s most important features, including HR, spatial audio, and voice assistance.

Conclusion

AirPods Pro 3 are excellent workout headphones that produce peak performance across all verticals. Further testing is needed to determine if they are a better fitness companion than the Powerbeats Pro 2. What I will tell you is that the AirPods Pro 3’s superior heart rate monitoring, along with the addition of Apple’s latest listening modes, puts them in a leadership position right now.