Right around the same time that Apple finally debuted the AirPods 3, the company first released the Beats Fit Pro. It had been quite a while since we saw a set of top-of-the-line earbuds with Beats branding, and these followed the Beats Fit which was released earlier in 2021.
With two new sets of earbuds available, you might be trying to decide which of these is right for you. Both have their pros and cons, but there are also enough differences to sway you one way or the other.
Aside from the branding and color options, the Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods 3 are very different beasts. Starting with the AirPods 3, Apple ditched the old-school design of the original AirPods and adopted the shorter-stem design of the AirPods Pro. But instead of simply removing ANC capabilities, the AirPods 3 also don’t support the use of any ear-tips.
The end result is a design that may not be quite as comfortable as the last-generation AirPods. And in the case of many, it could result in the AirPods 3 not feeling as secure in your ears compared to other models. As for controls, the AirPods 3 also adopt the force-touch gestures available on the stem so you can control playback or answer calls without picking up your phone.
Moving over to the Beats Fit Pro, these instantly look like a set of headphones meant for those who enjoy running or hitting the gym. They are small and compact while sporting the iconic Beats logo on the outside.
To help keep the Fit Pro in your ears, Apple has integrated dedicated wingtips that fit into the top of your ear. And we have traditional ear tips that can be swapped out with different sizes to fit the needs of your ears specifically. Controls on the Beats Fit Pro are a bit different, as the outside of each earbud acts as a button. This is arguably a better way to manage playback, but you’ll also find yourself pushing the earbuds further into your ears with every button press.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods 3: Specs and Features
As for specs, there really isn’t too much here that is different. This time around, we’ll kick off with the Beats Fit Pro and talk about how it stands apart from the AirPods 3.
The biggest difference is that the Beats Fit Pro actually offers Active Noise Cancellation. Not only do we have ANC, but there’s also Spatial Audio compatibility. This means that the Fit Pro is more of a direct competitor to the AirPods Pro, instead of the AirPods 3. However, considering the $20 difference in price, you might not want to spring for the AirPods Pro and its $249 price tag.
Both of these earbuds offer up to six hours of listening time on a single charge and include support for Apple’s Adaptive EQ. There’s also a skin-detect sensor that provides better support for pausing music when you take the earbuds out.
Beats Fit Pro
AirPods 3
H1 Chip
Yes
Yes
Water Resistance
IPX4
IPX4
Battery Life (Earbuds)
6 hours (ANC On)
6 hours
Battery Life (Total)
24 Hours
30 Hours
Automatic Switching
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging Case
No
Yes
MagSafe Charging Case
No
Yes
Active Noise Cancelling
Yes
No
Spatial Audio
Yes
Yes
Skin-detect Sensor
Yes
Yes
Adaptive EQ
Yes
Yes
Dimensions
30 x 24 x 19mm
30.79 x 18.26 x 19.21mm
Weight (earbud)
5.6 grams
4.28 grams
Price
$199
$179
While the AirPods 3 lack ANC, they make up for it in two key areas: battery and weight. The AirPods 3 and Beats Fit Pro match up even when it comes to how long they last on a single charge. However, when you look at the 30 hours of playback time compared to the Beats Fit Pro and its 24 hours, that extra listening session might sway you.
Keeping with battery, charging is potentially another deciding factor. The Beats Fit Pro can only be charged using a wire, while the AirPods 3 not only can be charged wirelessly, but Apple also introduced its all-new MagSafe AirPods case. MagSafe and wireless charging, in general, are extremely convenient, making it easy to give the AirPods 3 the nod here.
The other factor that you should be aware of when comparing the Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods 3 is weight. Each Beats Fit Pro earbud weighs 5.6 grams, while the AirPods 3 comes in at just 4.28 grams. In my time with both of these, I found myself forgetting the AirPods 3 were even in my ears, whereas there was a bit of ear fatigue with the Beats. But your mileage may vary.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods 3: Making a Choice
The truth is that Apple has an incredible lineup of choices when it comes to finding some new headphones. You really can’t go wrong with either of these, and with a $20 price difference, the comparison is about as close as it gets.
If you want earbuds that include ANC and interchangeable ear-tips, then the Beats Fit Pro are the way to go. However, you can’t go wrong with the classic AirPods 3 and its MagSafe charging case despite the lack of ANC.
Andrew Myrick is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is having a never-ending supply of different keyboards and gaming handhelds that end up collecting more dust than the consoles that are being emulated.
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