
While Apple had to work out the previous kinks with their earbuds to pull off something really special with their first entry into the headphone competition, AirPods Max, Beats had the privilege of years of headphone crafting when they released the Beats Studio3.
#AIRPODS PRO MAX VS BEATS PRO#
But Powerbeats Pro get you more hours of audio, and remain an essential for frequent travelers or fitness obsessives who really like to pound the pavement. WINNER: Beats Powerbeats Proīottom line: if you’re still WFH, or mostly listen to music or podcasts in quiet spaces, the regular AirPods are a fine choice. What tips the Powerbeats over the line is battery life - while both earbuds get up to 24 hours of playback with their respective charging cases, Powerbeats has nine hours of listening time off a single charge, while AirPods only get a measly five (which have spawned many did your AirPods die? memes). They’re particularly beloved by gym rats and runners, since the buds are also sweat and water-resistant to boot. Each pair of earbuds comes with four sizes of ear tips and an adjustable earhook for further customization. In terms of fit, the Powerbeats Pro doesn’t have ANC, but an ergonomic shape that nests comfortably in the concha bowl of the ear and blocks out some noise. But since they don’t create a tight seal the same way a gummy-tipped earbud would, AirPods don’t have any sort of noise cancellation, and let a fair amount of ambient noise leak in. We’ve listened to rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, jazz, as well as podcasts and audiobooks, and never had any complaints about audio clarity. It’s quite balanced across lows, mids, and highs, with a crisp, finished sound.ĪirPods came out the gate sounding great, with ample amounts of bass to rival the Powerbeats Pro, and a decent midrange and treble.
#AIRPODS PRO MAX VS BEATS DRIVER#
The Powerbeats Pro is the answer to those criticisms, with a linear piston driver that delivers a better acoustic response and little distortion in the bass. While Beats has always been a brand that knocks it out of the park in the marketing and aesthetic department, their weak spot has always been a lack of advancement in audio tech.

Other qualities, like an emphasis on room-shaking, booming bass, are highlights of the Beats brand. Some of the proprietary tech, like Apple’s much-loved W1 and H1 chips, are available for both.

While Beats is technically owned by Apple (so in the end, the winner is still somehow Apple), we’re still deciding based on qualities like tech-y features, comfortability and wear, and most importantly, whether these actually sound any good.


We’ve put all of these picks to rigorous testing, and while the true wireless competition is fierce out there right now, you’re in good hands. No, you’re here for the editors’ favorites, the creme de la creme of audio technology, the headphones and earbuds we actually keep using after-hours. But you’re not here to have us tell you that both can deliver great performance depending on what you’re looking for out of your listening experience. That being said, both are noteworthy opponents who have put out stellar-sounding mid-range offerings (like the Studio Buds) and more premium stand-outs ( AirPods Max). If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.ĭeciding between Apple or Beats headphones is like trying to choose a favorite child - near impossible.
