Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless Headphone [Review]

The Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless are excellent sports headphones that can also be used on a daily basis. They have better audio reproduction than the previous Powerbeats 2 Wireless, but they still have the same sports-oriented style. For working out, their stable ear-hooks and breathable in-ear fit are ideal. Unfortunately, they don’t have the greatest noise isolation, which will restrict their utility during a daily commute or at work. On the plus side, they don’t leak much, so you can mask more ambient noise by turning up the volume, and they have a full day’s battery life.

Powerbeats3 Wireless Earphones - Apple W1 Headphone Chip, Class 1 Bluetooth, 12 Hours of Listening Time, Sweat Resistant Earbuds - Defiant Black-Red

$148.99
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Features

• High-performance wireless earphones in defiant black-red
• Compatible with iOS and Android devices.
• Connectivity Technology: Apple’s W1 Chip and Wireless Connect via Class 1 Bluetooth with your device for wireless workout freedom
• Up to 12 hours of battery life to power through multiple workouts
• With Fast Fuel, a 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour of playback when battery is low

Powerbeats3 Wireless In-Ear Headphones - White (Renewed)

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Features

• Up to 12 hours of battery life to power through multiple workouts
• With Fast Fuel, a 5-minute charge gives you 1 hour of playback when battery is low
• Sweat and water resistance to handle tough training

Style

The Beats PowerBeats3 have a sporty appearance that is comparable to the Beats Powerbeats 2 Wireless. For added stability, they have an ear-hook design that fits around your ear. Depending on can set you to purchase from, they come in a variety of colour schemes. Look at the Beats Pop Collection if you like flashy sports designs. The default color schemes or the Neighborhood Collection might be better for you if you prefer monochrome designs.

Check Out: Best In-Ear Headphones

Comfort

The Powerbeats3 have a similar configuration to the Powerbeats2 in terms of comfort. The in-ear fit isn’t as deep in the ear canal as traditional in-ears, and there are four tip sizes to choose from to find the right fit. Their ear-hook style is light and comfortable, with no pressure between your ears. However, the fit may not be perfect for everybody, and after a while, you may experience ear fatigue.

Controls

The Powerbeats3’s in-line remote is an upgrade over the Powerbeats2. Since the buttons aren’t as mushy and difficult to push, you get better tactile feedback. Call/music management, track skipping, and volume controls are still available. By pressing and holding the multipurpose button, you can control your device’s voice assistant. On the left earbud, there is a dedicated power and pairing button.

Portability

These headphones are extremely compact, fitting into almost all pockets and bags. Because of the ear-hook style, they are a little bulkier than most sports headphones, but they also come with a decent rubber pouch that doesn’t add too much bulk and fits in pockets.

Case

The Beats Powerbeats3 come with a water-resistant rubberized pouch. It protects the headphones from scratches and slight water exposure, and it appears to be able to withstand minor impacts. However, the headphones aren’t fully secured because there is a small gap on top of the pouch that can’t be closed. It’s also a squeeze to get the speakers, tip options, and charging cable into the case. The case is disappointing because the Powerbeats2 has a hard case and the Powerbeats3 had the same case as the BeatsX.

Build Quality

The Powerbeats3 has a similar build quality to the Powerbeats2. The earbuds feel dense enough to withstand a few bumps without breaking, and the ear-hook is made of rubberized material that is malleable enough to fit comfortably around your ears. The in-line remote has a higher build quality and is more sensitive. They are not, however, valued for dust or water resistance in comparison to other sports headphones.

Stability

During physical exercise, these headphones are very comfortable and do not fall out of the ears. The malleable ear-hooks provide excellent stability and prevent the earbuds from falling out. The in-ear portion of the headphones, on the other hand, shifts around a lot and sometimes breaks the seal, which can be annoying for others. If you know this would irritate you, the V-MODA BassFit Wireless is a more reliable alternative with ear-hooks and stability fins.

Noise Cancellation

The isolation output isn’t up to snuff. These headphones don’t have active noise cancellation and don’t provide any bass isolation. This means they’ll let all the engines rumble in. They isolate by around 12dB in the mid-range, which is good for blocking out expression. They reached 25dB of isolation in the treble range, which is dominated by sharp sounds like S and Ts and fan noises like A/C systems. There is, however, a weak spot about 4-5KHz. Take a look at the JBL Endurance Dive if you’re looking for sports in-ears with greater passive isolation.

Battery

The Powerbeats3 have a 12-hour playback time, which should be enough for a full workday or a few workouts. They charge easily and have a fast charge feature that provides an hour of battery life for just 5 minutes of charging time. This is particularly useful for last-minute workouts or commuting. They do not, however, have a power-saving feature to prolong battery life. If you like the style but want a longer battery life, the Beats Powerbeats 4, which are the next generation, are a good option.

Bluetooth

These are Bluetooth-only headphones with no NFC or multi-device pairing, which would be useful if you often switch between your phone and your office machine. The W1 chip, on the other hand, makes linking and switching between iOS devices much simpler.

We were unable to validate the Bluetooth version. Also, if you’re using them with a PC, make sure the playback system is set to 44.1 KHz, or you’ll hear a ticking sound due to sampling rate issues.

Their latency is a little too high for gaming and viewing videos. However, they outperform most Bluetooth headphones, which average about 200-220 ms, so unless you’re gaming, you might not feel the delay as much as you would with other headphones. Furthermore, depending on your computer, some video content apps, such as Netflix and YouTube, may have some kind of compensation, so you may not notice it at all.

Pros and Cons

Verdict

It’s suitable for a variety of applications. Critical listeners will appreciate the Beats Powerbeats 3 Wireless because it has a stronger and more precise sound than the previous Powerbeats2. They don’t have the best isolation, but they don’t leak, which is good for commuting and shutting out more noise at work. For some people, particularly for long periods of time, the in-ear fit can not be optimal. On the plus hand, their ear-hook nature provides excellent stability for sports, and they are both breathable and compact, making them ideal for workouts. Unfortunately, their latency is too high for gaming and watching TV, and their microphone output is poor for online multiplayer games.

It’s ideal for sports. The in-ear fit is very breathable, and the ear-hook shape is useful for added stability during physical activities. They’re also very compact, fitting into most pockets and bags, allowing you to work out almost anywhere. If you don’t like working out with your phone in your pockets, you’ll be able to leave it nearby thanks to the excellent wireless range.