Short answer: the Beats Fit Pro. It ranks #359 of 467 in-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $124.95; the Apple AirPods Pro 3 ranks #364, rated 3.5/5, and costs $199, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
The Apple AirPods Pro 3 is the tougher choice. Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. It is rated IP57 against IPX4 for the Beats Fit Pro. The tradeoff: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy.
The case for the Beats Fit Pro: In hobbyist measurements on squig.link the response tracks the Harman target evenly, with a 2.2 dB standard deviation and upper mids within 1 dB, so vocals sound clear and natural for neutral leaning listeners. The tradeoff: Bass sits 3 to 5 dB below target from 20 to 200 Hz, so pop and hip hop sound lighter than on bass focused earbuds.
Buy the Beats Fit Pro. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Apple AirPods Pro 3 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Beats Fit Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199.00 | $124.95 |
| Ranked | #364 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones | #359 of 467 in In-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | In-ear | In-ear |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) | 69 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | +0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | True wireless | True wireless |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | - |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud | 0 lbs (5.6 g) per earbud |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) | 6 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | IP57 | IPX4 |
Related Headphone Comparisons
More top alternatives to Beats Fit Pro:
- Beats Fit Pro vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
- Beats Fit Pro vs Beats Studio Buds
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro
- Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sony WF-1000XM5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Headphones In Full
Apple AirPods Pro 3: $199.00 TWS Amazon $199.00 eBay
Pros: Sub-bass sits about 3 dB above the Harman target in hobbyist measurements on squig.link and still reaches 30 Hz with a slight lift, so bass lines and electronic drops carry real rumble. The response stays fairly even overall, with a 2.4 dB standard deviation from target and a gently warm tilt that suits warm and bassy tastes. Active noise cancelling, an IP57 rating that covers dust and immersion, and 8 hours per charge (24 with the case, ANC on) make it an easy everyday pair.
Cons: A 6.4 dB dip near 3.4 kHz pulls vocals and guitars back, while a 6.3 dB peak near 8 kHz and about 6 dB of extra air above 10 kHz can make cymbals and sibilance sound splashy. Codecs stop at SBC and AAC, and the Beats Fit Pro earns a slightly higher rating for less money.
Full Apple AirPods Pro 3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 8 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.43 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 68 (median of 5 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IP57 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (+1.7 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.58 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.55 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Beats Fit Pro: $124.95 TWS Amazon $124.95 eBay
Pros: In hobbyist measurements on squig.link the response tracks the Harman target evenly, with a 2.2 dB standard deviation and upper mids within 1 dB, so vocals sound clear and natural for neutral leaning listeners. It earns a slightly higher rating than the Apple AirPods Pro 3 while costing less. Active noise cancelling, AAC support and IPX4 splash resistance cover the everyday basics.
Cons: Bass sits 3 to 5 dB below target from 20 to 200 Hz, so pop and hip hop sound lighter than on bass focused earbuds. A 6.3 dB dip near 11.2 kHz trims sparkle on cymbals, and battery life is a modest 6 hours per charge with ANC on (24 with the case).
Full Beats Fit Pro review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2021 (4 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes |
| Back | Closed |
| Battery Life | 6 hours (24 with case, ANC on, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | True wireless |
| Deviation From Target | 2.20 dB standard deviation |
| Form Factor | In-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 69 (median of 1 squig.link measurements, calibrated to AutoEQ) |
| IP Rating | IPX4 |
| Sub-bass Extension | Within 6 dB of target down to 20 Hz (-4.0 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | +0.78 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0 lbs (5.6 g) per earbud |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons