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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Beats Powerbeats Pro offer a midrange price, excellent build quality, and good overall sound quality, accentuated by their ear hooks for secure fit during exercise; however, their sound isolation is modest and they lack active noise cancelling. On the other hand, the less expensive Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 provides very good mic quality, longer battery life with a charging case, and active noise cancelling; though, they might not be as snug for physical activities and their overall sound quality is slightly lower. Your choice may hinge on whether you prioritize better sound and fit for sports (Powerbeats Pro) or value-for-money with effective noise cancellation for quiet listening (Outlier Air V3). 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.5
5.7
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both good for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
4.6
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Cost
$124
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.1
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Powerbeats Pro to be excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good.
TV and Video
5.7
5.4
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
10.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 5.2 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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.
About Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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