Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats3 Wireless

Wireless Sport In-Ears for Apple Devices

In a nutshell

The Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats 3 Wireless are an impressive entry to the Apple subsidiary, particularly when you consider sporting applications. With their balanced sound, they’re an ideal choice for users who’ve not been able to enjoy the best of Beats models so far. When it comes to price, they’re on par with Apple’s AirPods. I’ll round things up by recommending the Powerbeats3 for those seeking sporting in-ears that sound great, look good and fit well.

This wireless in-ear is the third Powerbeats generation of Beats and surprises with its sound and long battery life.

Sound

The sound of Beats headphones divides music fans and everyday listeners. Real music lovers will appreciate the powerful bass at work with Beats releases, although claims from Dr. Dre himself that these headphones are the only way to experience certain audio elements are a little extreme. However, with the Powerbeats3 Wireless, the sound you’ll experience is definitely at another level than anything you’ve heard before from the Beats line. While previous models I’ve tested were always overshadowed by radiance and a weakly defined bass, these in-ears produce a remarkably balanced sound. The bass is deep and rounded, while the midrange is resolved and the treble soft and finely detailed. This is exactly the kind of unexpected surprise I like to find! Achievable volumes with smartphone or tablets is perfectly acceptable, allowing good levels of audio enjoyment to be had. Those who prefer to listen on the louder side are best advised to look elsewhere, however.

Suitable for Sports

While the classic Beats on-ear headphones became something of a fashion statement, the in-ear wireless versions will take some getting used to. The crossbar on the ear and the connecting cable between the two hemispheres exude something of an ancient aesthetic. However, closer inspection reveals that the design is very modern indeed. The workmanship is solid, with sweat and splash protection as standard, while fit is first-rate. Thanks to the included earbuds, the Powerbeats3 Wireless offer a snug and secure fit that makes them ideal for use when playing sports or working out at the gym. With the 3-button control found on the cable, you can enjoy all the usual functions of your music player, while telephony is also simple with the same controls.

Bluetooth Connectivity and Battery

Bluetooth pairing with mobile devices and laptops (in this test case, all Apple products) experienced no issues whatsoever. Full support for functions like hands-free operation and start/stop and the like are only guaranteed for Apple devices, however. Android owners will find some limitations that might make the difference in deciding whether or not to add these wireless in-ears to a collection.

The battery really stood out as a plus in this test. After a period of only five minutes charging via USB, there was sufficient charge to provide around an hour of music playback. With a fully charged battery, you can play music for up to 12 hours. Most in-ear headphones don’t have the capacity for such a stretch. This is all down to Apple’s W1 Bluetooth chip, which is currently integrated into all wireless models. Video playback also saw no issues with lip sync and transmission lags.