AirPods Pro 3 vs. Pro 2: Why Apple’s New Earbuds Are Worth the Upgrade for Fitness
AirPods Pro 3 deliver stronger noise cancellation, improved sound and built-in heart rate tracking, making them a smarter choice for workouts and everyday use
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Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 mark a turning point for the brand, evolving from high-end audio gear into a fitness accessory.
The standout addition is heart rate sensing, a feature that quietly transforms how people track health without needing a watch on their wrist. For commuters, casual athletes, or anyone who doesn’t wear an Apple Watch all day, the AirPods Pro 3 bridges the gap, capturing active moments that would otherwise be missed. Compared to the Pro 2, which remain solid but are audio-first, the new model signals Apple’s push to make earbuds an integral part of everyday wellness.
The AirPods Pro 2, launched in 2022 and later refreshed with USB-C, set a high bar with the H2 chip, adaptive transparency and stronger active noise cancellation. They remain a great choice for working out, especially for users who can now find them at discounted prices through resellers. But the AirPods Pro 3 take things further, introducing a redesigned fit with five ear tip options, improved IP57 dust and water resistance and most notably, built-in heart rate sensing.
Why the AirPods Pro 3 Stand Out
In testing, the AirPods Pro 3’s sound profile stands out as a clear leap forward. Instrumentation is easier to separate, bass is more defined and the soundstage feels bigger. The improvements to Adaptive EQ and a new acoustic design make them the best-sounding earbuds Apple has ever released. Noise cancellation is also stronger, handling background chatter and transit noise more effectively than the Pro 2. A minor frustration with the previous generation, Adaptive Transparency occasionally lowering or raising levels without a clear cause, has been smoothed out in the Pro 3, creating a more consistent listening experience.
The heart rate sensor is a game-changer for commuters and casual athletes. Without needing a dedicated fitness watch, users can now capture heart rate data during walks, bike rides, or gym sessions. This is particularly great for those who focus on strength workouts, as the watch has been an encumbrance for workouts like kettlebell swings. Pairing them with the new Fitness app experience or Apple Watch can extend their utility even further, as metrics like calorie burn and heart rate can now sync seamlessly into workouts.
More Features & Functionalities
Other features continue to expand the Pro 3’s versatility. Live Translation, powered by Apple Intelligence, allows in-person conversations across languages, with a helpful pause before playback. For athletes, this could be particularly useful during races abroad. Spatial Audio remains impressive, and turning on head-tracked mode while disabling Sound Check in settings delivers a dynamic, immersive sound field for music and film.
Battery life has also improved. The Pro 3s offer up to eight hours of listening time on a charge with noise cancellation active, compared to six hours on the Pro 2. That makes them more reliable for long workdays or travel.
At $249, the AirPods Pro 3 cost the same as their predecessors at launch. That price parity makes the upgrade easier to justify, particularly for those who value the additional fitness tracking or want the best sound quality from their accessory.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the AirPods Pro 2 are still excellent, but the AirPods Pro 3 elevate both sound and functionality in ways that matter. Better audio, more stable adaptive performance, fitness-ready heart rate sensing and useful translation tools make them a clear step forward.