Beats is known for its stylish audio peripherals that look trendy and also product terrific sound at the same time.
The Powerbeats lineup of wireless Bluetooth headphones is quite impressive to the say the least as they offer the portability users want from a wireless pair of headphones combined with stylish colors and design.
Two of the most popular headphones from Beats are the Powerbeats 2 and the Powerbeats 3. While at first glance it may feel like they have very similar features, there’s quite a lot of difference between them under the hood.
Regardless, both the products offer amazing quality for their asking price,and they outclass most gym earphones that you can get on the market right now.
If you are looking for you’re a new pair of Bluetooth headphones we are here to help you out! We compared both these headphones across multiple categories and had picked a clear winner. Want to know who won? Read on to find out!
Table of Contents
Design
When it comes to design, Beats is one of the brands that is definitely at the top with stylish colors and solid build quality across the board. Both the Powerbeats 2 and Powerbeats 3 have a similar design,and there’s nothing that’s missing in functionality when it comes to either model.
However, one of the surprising things about the Powerbeats 3 is that lacks the large number of color options that the Powerbeats 2 provides. So, if you were looking to for an upgrade to the third generation Powerbeats 3 from the previous model, prepare to be slightly disappointed.
When it comes to build quality, you can’t go with either product thanks to the amazing materials used to offer a solid design. Both the Powerbeats 2 and the Powerbeats 3 offer a comfortable audio experience. The earbuds are nice and comfortable,and even after an hour of usage, you will not feel uncomfortable, which is quite impressive.
The noise isolating on both the headphones is just impressive,and you can easily shut out a lot of ambient noise with ease. Even though they are marketed as wireless headphones, you do not get the same wireless experience as wireless earbuds would offer. They do come with a single wire that connects both drivers and a control module. However, you do not need to create an analog connection to your phone, tablet or computer.
Features
Both the Powerbeats 2 and 3 share the exact same features with the exception of the W1 chip by Apple which we will get into later. The Powerbeats 2 and Powerbeats 3 both come with sweat and water resistance which allows you to withstand exposure and moisture.
If you want call functionality, you’ll be happy to know that both the products come with built-in microphones with a RemoteTalk button that allows you to handle calls. The microphone quality is quite good,and people on the other end can hear you loud and clear even in noisy environments.
You have access to battery indicator lights that notify you whenever it’s time to plug in your Powerbeats to the charger. You can use any Micro USB cable to charge your headphones which is a great utility feature as you can simply plug them into your laptop, computer or a portable power bank and you’re good to go.
The Powerbeats 3 comes with Apple’s W1 chipset which allows you to automatically pair with Apple iPhones, Macs, iPads and the Apple Watch using NFC. However, if you do not own one of the compatible Apple devices, it’s not a deal breaker at all.
Even though the Powerbeats 2 does not have the W1 chip, pairing the headset is a breeze as both the Powerbeats 2 and Powerbeats 3 come with a quick pairing feature that allows you to connect to compatible devices in just a couple seconds.
Sound
The Powerbeats lineup of headphones are designed to offer fitness enthusiasts the ability to workout and listen to music at the same time. But does the ruggedness mean that Beats skimped on the quality of these devices? Let’s find out.
When it comes to audio quality, you will find that most fitness headphones fail to deliver enough power. However, the Powerbeats lineup beats most popular wireless in-ear headphones out their thanks to the amazing sound quality.
The Powerbeats 3 has a richer sound signature compared to the Powerbeats 2,and the bass feels a tiny bit stronger, which is definitely something people who love bass-heavy music will like. You get a full sound signature with balanced highs and lows, something most sports headphones fail to offer as they focus their resources primarily on build quality than sound.
The sound is not overpowering,and even at high volumes, you get a really good, crisp audio experience. We were able to experience rich detail at every volume level and had no trouble whatsoever when using either pair of headphones in noisy environments.
Battery Life
When it comes to battery life, it is a no contest. The Powerbeats 2 offers only 6 hours of battery life while the Powerbeats 3 offers twice the amount at 12 hours, which is quite impressive.
If you do not mind the 6-hour battery life and want to save some of your hard-earned cash, you can go for the Powerbeats 2. However, the Powerbeats allowing you charge your headphones far less often is definitely a something you should not pass up on.
Reasons to Pick the Powerbeats 2 Over the Powerbeats 3
Colors: The Powerbeats 2 offers more color options and if aesthetics are very important to you then you’ll be happy to know that the Powerbeats 2 offers 9 unique color options while the Powerbeats 3 offers just 5.
Price: Price is an important factor for nearly everyone and even though both the products have the same retail price, you should be able to pick up the Powerbeats 3 for significantly cheaper than the Powerbeats 3. They offer all of the same features so you will not be missing out on much except on battery life.
Why to Pick the Powerbeats 3 Over the Powerbeats 2
Sound: The Powerbeats 3 is a direct upgrade to the Powerbeats 2 and it offers better audio quality with tighter bass and a crisper sound signature. The difference in quality is not much when compared to its predecessor,but it is definitely noticeable.
W1 Chip: The W1 chip by Apple is something you will definitely want if you have an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or a Mac. It allows you to connect to your Apple devices without requiring you to go through settings on your devices. Simply connect the NFC chips with each other,and they will get instantly paired!
Battery Life: Battery life is definitely one of the most important factors when it comes to wireless earbuds,and if you are looking for stellar battery life then you should definitely pick up the Powerbeats 3 over the Powerbeats 2.
The Final Verdict
Powerbeats 3 is a clear winner if you consider the improved battery life and improvement in sound quality. In addition, you get access to the W1 chip by Apple which is something you should not miss out on.
Beats’ offering is quite impressive and should cater to the most hardcore of fitness enthusiasts who want a wireless audio solution that performs well. The sweat and water resistance on both the products are on point,andyou can definitely take them outdoors without having to worry about them being damaged.
The Powerbeats lineup is definitely part of Beats’ best offerings,and we’re excited to see what’s in store in the future from the brand.
Last update on 2021-01-21 at 08:29
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