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I was once a harsh critic of people who worked out with their AirPods. Not only did it look awkward, but the buds themselves provided no on-ear stability, making them more of a liability than an asset. Then the AirPods Pro came out…and I still thought the same thing. That was, until I actually exercised with them.
Apple’s noise-cancelling buds quickly became a workout favorite. Then the AirPods Pro 2 dropped and turned into my go-to buds for a long stretch (up to eight months), thanks to their dynamic sound, noteworthy ANC, and secure fit via in-ear design with silicone tips. The combination of flawless voice activation and lightweight wearability with sweat/water resistance (IPX4) also made them favorable for exercising.
Now that the AirPods Pro 3 have launched with advanced health features and a new ergonomic design, it would seem a safe bet that I would make them my next gym partner. But don’t jump to that conclusion just yet.
Are the AirPods Pro 3 my newest go-to workout earbuds? Keep reading to find out.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
I’ve been digging the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for the past six months, and I consider them the best earbuds for working out overall. Not everything hits its mark (ANC is disappointing). Still, the Powerbeats Pro 2 meet the criteria that matter most in the sub-category: audio 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 buds during workouts. This turned out to be mostly true. Some issues were present, and they could be deal-breakers, depending on your needs.
Here are my thoughts on using the AirPods Pro 3 for working out.
Apple’s most optimized fitness buds ever
Let’s get to the AirPods Pro 3’s killer feature: heart rate monitoring. It is more effective than any other pair of earbuds with HRM, including the Powerbeats Pro 2. The optical sensors near the tip shine an infrared light that pulses 256 times a second to examine blood flow in your ears. Apple also enhanced its algorithms to capture data as accurately as possible.
I compared the readings between my AirPods Pro 3 (via Fitness app) and Fitbit Charge 6, which has optical sensors to measure blood flow on the wrist, and was surprised by how close the results were. Even the HRM sensors on a treadmill tracked BPM (beats per minute) close to the AirPods Pro 3.
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My AirPods Pro and Fitbit Charge 6 showed similar heart rate readings.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
HRM isn’t the only thing that makes the AirPods Pro 3 ideal for workouts. IP57 dust and water resistance protect the buds and charging case from excessive moisture damage. The touch sensors on the stems allow you to easily adjust volume with swipe gestures. “Hey Siri” voice activation places functionality at the tip of your tongue; it was so convenient to answer calls and swap out playlists without using my hands.
Apple’s listening modes give the AirPods Pro 3 a huge advantage over other sports buds. Transparency mode raises ambient awareness at an incredibly high level. I could hear pedestrians and vehicles loudly and clearly when running outside. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts to your surroundings by blending ANC and Transparency modes for optimal listening. Personalized Volume does the same and learns from your listening habits to adjust volume settings over time. Lastly, Conversation Awareness lowers media volume and enhances the voices in front of you.
A custom fit with compromised comfort
These are the most fit-friendly AirPods ever. The wider sound port occupies the concha and molds perfectly to your ear. Apple’s silicone tips form a tight seal when properly adjusted, and they have decent sweat absorption to minimize slippage.
These are designed to be the best-fitting AirPods yet.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
At first, I was petrified of breaking these buds on the treadmill, especially after seeing their iFixit repairability score of an abysmal 0/10. Nonetheless, I calmed down the more I exercised with them. The AirPods Pro 3 never fell out during runs or heavy lateral exercises (e.g., side-to-side lunges).
Unfortunately, the updated design affects comfort. Since the sound port sticks out more, it presses up against the canal and concha. My ears felt fatigued after three hours of wear. Anyone with a high pain threshold should get about five hours of use before experiencing discomfort.
Energy-fueled sound
Audio on the AirPods Pro 3 is livelier than their predecessor. Apple updated its acoustic architecture to bring deeper bass response and extra clarity to your ears. The low end is better controlled and more impactful. It’s exactly what you want from a fitness standpoint. In addition, the adaptive EQ does an outstanding job of fine-tuning sound in real time.
Personalized Spatial Audio might be the most underrated fitness feature. I used it several times when watching exercise videos and enjoyed the extra layer of realism it delivered. Instructors sounded prominent over ambient noise and instrumentals; this gave personal trainer vibes. Spatial audio is more suited for Apple Music and creates an immersive soundscape for Dolby Atmos tracks. Drums and synths were robust, while treble remained warm and crisp.
Android users look elsewhere
I previously tested the AirPods Pro 3 as an Android user, and things didn’t go so 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 the H2 processor instead of Beats’ proprietary chipset, which is designed to work seamlessly with iOS/macOS and Android.
That being the case, Android users lose out on all the AirPods Pro 3’s biggest features, including HRM, spatial audio, and voice assistance.
Bottom Line
The AirPods Pro 3 are excellent workout buds that produce series-leading performance across all verticals. More testing is required to determine whether they’re 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, has them in a front-runner spot right now.
