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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize call quality and wear comfort, the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) may be better for you, with good mic and comfort scores, but be aware that they have poor sound isolation and aren't suited for noisy environments or focused music listening. Alternatively, if noise isolation is essential for you, particularly if you exercise a lot or are often in noisy places, the Beats Fit Pro with active noise cancelling and sweat resistance could be the better choice, though you may compromise slightly on comfort and call quality. For Apple device users, both earbuds are optimized and feature spatial audio, but only the Beats Fit Pro offer virtual surround sound, exclusively on Apple devices. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
- Good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Beats Fit Pro
- The Beats Fit Pro has no clear advantages over the Apple Airpods (3rd generation).
Key differences
Phone Calls
7.6
6.3
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is good for phone calls, while the Beats Fit Pro is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.6
7.6
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Fit Pro is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.3
The Beats Fit Pro is very good for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
5.2 Hours
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has 6 hours of battery life. The Beats Fit Pro has 5.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$170
$200
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has a price of $170 and the Beats Fit Pro costs $200.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) has excellent build quality, while the Beats Fit Pro has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.1
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods (3rd generation) to be good for music, while the Beats Fit Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.4
4.9
The Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and Beats Fit Pro are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.5
5.6
The Beats Fit Pro and Apple Airpods (3rd generation) are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) and the Beats Fit Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (3rd generation) | Beats Fit Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$170 | $200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 1, 2021 | November 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.4/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.6/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 7.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 6 Hours | 5.2 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 30 | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Medium | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4.3 Grams | 5.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (3rd generation)
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz, Christian Thomas | February 2023
"The Apple AirPods improves upon the 2019 model with its more ergonomic, yet unsealed, fit, water-resistant build, MagSafe charging case, and advanced software features. You can enjoy a wholly immersive movie experience with the new AirPods' spatial audio with head tracking, and enjoy HD audio during FaceTime calls. Of course, most of these features are limited to Apple hardware."
Beats Fit Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Lili Katz | January 2024
"The Beats Fit Pro is just as easy to use with an Android device as it is with an iPhone. It seems Apple-owned Beats is trying to appeal to a wider market, and it works. The Fit Pro fits like a pro with the ear tip fit test and multiple ear tips. Sound quality is sure to please most athletes, but the Fit Pro is just at home in the office as it is in the gym. The main factor holding the Beats Fit Pro back from gold is the price."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (3rd generation) or the Beats Fit Pro
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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