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

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I once harshly criticized people who trained with their AirPods. Not only did it look awkward, but the buds themselves did not provide stability on the ear, making them more of a liability than an asset. Then AirPods Pro came out… and I was still thinking the same thing. That was until I actually trained with them.

Apple noise canceling buds quickly became a workout favorite. Then AirPods Pro 2 fell and became my long-term favorite headphones (up to eight months) thanks to their dynamic sound, remarkable noise cancellation, and secure fit thanks to the in-ear design with silicone tips. The combination of impeccable voice activation, lightness and sweat and water resistance (IPX4) also made them comfortable for training.

Now that AirPods Pro 3 released with advanced health features and a new ergonomic design, it's safe to say I'll be making these my next gym partner. But don't rush to that conclusion just yet.

I was digging Powerbeats Pro 2 for the last six months and I'm counting them best headphones for workouts general. Not everything achieves its goal (ANC is disappointing). However, the Powerbeats Pro 2 meet the most important criteria in this subcategory: sound quality, battery life, and serviceability.

Since the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 have the same features and specifications, I expected nothing less than excellence from Apple's headphones during workouts. For the most part, this turned out to be true. There were some issues present and these could be deal breakers depending on your needs.

Here are my thoughts on using the AirPods Pro 3 for workouts.

Apple's Most Optimized Fitness Headphones Ever

Let's get to the killer feature of the AirPods Pro 3: heart rate monitoring. They're more efficient than any other pair of HRM headphones, including the Powerbeats Pro 2. Optical sensors near the tip emit infrared light that pulses 256 times per second to test blood flow in your ears. Apple has also improved its algorithms to collect data as accurately as possible.

I compared the readings of my AirPods Pro 3 (via the fitness app) and Fitbit charge 6which has optical sensors to measure blood flow at the wrist, and was surprised by how close the results were. Even the HRM sensors on the treadmill tracked BPM (beats per minute) close to the AirPods Pro 3.

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

HRM isn't the only thing that makes AirPods Pro 3 ideal for workouts. IP57 dust and water resistance protects the earbuds and charging case from excessive moisture damage. Touch sensors on the legs make it easy to adjust volume using gestures. Voice activation “Hey Siri” provides functionality at the tip of the tongue; it was so convenient to answer calls and switch playlists without using your hands.

Apple's listening modes give the AirPods Pro 3 a huge advantage over other sports headphones. Transparency mode increases awareness of the world around you at an incredibly high level. I could hear pedestrians and vehicles loud and clear as I ran outside. Adaptive Audio automatically adapts to your surroundings, combining ANC and Transparency modes for an optimal listening experience. Personalized Volume does the same and takes your listening habits into account to adjust your volume settings over time. Finally, Conversation Awareness reduces media volume and amplifies the voices in front of you.

Custom fit with compromised comfort

These are the most comfortable AirPods ever. The wider sound port occupies the shell and fits perfectly to the ear. When adjusted correctly, Apple's silicone tips provide a snug fit and absorb sweat well, minimizing slippage.

They are designed to be the best AirPods yet.
Photo: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

At first I was afraid of breaking these buds on the treadmill, especially after I saw them iFixit The repairability rating is terrible 0/10. However, the more I trained with them, the more I calmed down. The AirPods Pro 3 never fell out during running or heavy lateral exercises (like side-to-side lunges).

Unfortunately, the updated design affects comfort. As the sound port sticks out more, it is pressed against the channel and sink. My ears are tired after wearing them for three hours. Anyone with a high pain threshold should go through about five hours of use before feeling any discomfort.

Energy sound

The sound on AirPods Pro 3 is more vibrant than its predecessor. Apple has updated its acoustic architecture to deliver deeper bass and added clarity to your ears. The low end is better controlled and more effective. This is exactly what you need from a fitness perspective. Additionally, the adaptive equalizer does a great job of fine-tuning your audio in real time.

Personalized spatial audio may be the most underrated fitness feature. I used it several times while watching exercise videos and enjoyed the extra level of realism it provided. The sound of the instructors stood out from the ambient noise and instrumentals; it gave the vibe of a personal trainer. Spatial audio is more suitable for Apple Music and creates an immersive soundscape for Dolby Atmos tracks. Drums and synths sounded powerful, and highs remained warm and clear.

Android users look elsewhere

I previously tested the AirPods Pro 3 as an Android user and it didn't go as smoothly. They are not optimized for use with Google's mobile operating system. There are Beats headphones and headphones, but the AirPods Pro 3 are powered by an H2 processor instead of the proprietary Beats chipset, which is designed to work seamlessly with iOS/macOS and Android.

In this case, Android users lose all the major features of the AirPods Pro 3, including HRM, spatial audio, and voice support.

Bottom line

The AirPods Pro 3 are great workout headphones that deliver best-in-series performance across the board. More testing is required to determine if they are a better fitness companion than the Powerbeats Pro 2. I will tell you that the AirPods Pro 3's superior heart rate monitoring, as well as the addition of Apple's newest listening modes, puts them in the lead right now.