Thoughts on PowerBeats 3/AirPods

[Tarek]

I am in the market for wireless earphones that are water resistant, not really for working out but because it rains a lot over here, and I cannot make a decision on which ones to buy. I've seen many nice ones online but since they're mostly over 100 USD, I thought the best thing to do would be to ask.

I actually have a PowerBeats 2 set but I forgot it back home and now I am studying for a Master's Degree abroad for one year so I have to buy new ones in the mean time.

I have narrowed down my search to four sets of earphones and I hope you can help me make a decision:

1. PowerBeats 3
2. Beats X
3. Apple AirPods
4. Jaybird X3

I don't actually have an iPhone but I feel like the AirPods are actually quite practical and convenient regardless, however I'm not sure if they're very comfortable to wear and if they can actually resist the rain without getting damaged - I'm sure Apple won't replace them for me if they're water-damaged.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

 

[ZapNZs]

AirPods are amazing IMO, and I'd go as far to call them one of the coolest products in the entire tech industry. While not rated as such, they have considerable shock and water resistance. The wireless integration and connection reliability is IMO superior to that offered by Beats (no experience with the X3 tho.) I find they are comfortable to wear for extended periods and they work well for me when working out - with the way they are balanced by the weight of the battery, I find they stay in the ears much better than the earbuds included with iPhones.

 

[Tarek]

AirPods are amazing IMO, and I'd go as far to call them one of the coolest products in the entire tech industry. While not rated as such, they have considerable shock and water resistance. The wireless integration and connection reliability is IMO superior to that offered by Beats (no experience with the X3 tho.) I find they are comfortable to wear for extended periods and they work well for me when working out - with the way they are balanced by the weight of the battery, I find they stay in the ears much better than the earbuds included with iPhones.

Do you think I can give them a try at an Apple store here in the UK? I'm not really sure if they provide any trials or something like with Beats headphones.

 

[TomEllis]

I've been using Airpods for nearly 3 months now and was amazed by them, they're better than those Powerbeats I had before. If regular earpods stay into your ears then Airpods won't fall out or be a bad fit. Also they're quite water resistant, I left them in my pants during a washcycle and they work just fine, not even a difference in sound quality.

 

[Soondae]

I went with powerbeats wireless 3's. I use them exclusively for working out and the over ear clip keeps them secure, I also sweat a lot, so water / sweat resistance was a must, my sweat ruined the controls on my old powerbeats wireless 2's. Hopefully the 3's will be better at sweat resistance. So far I have destroyed two sets of Motorola S9, A Sony set, went thru three sets of Plantronics backbeats (warranty replacements), guess my sweat is quite caustic.

 

[Tarek]

Thank you for your replies, guys.

I found another option:

Bose SoundSport Wireless

It seems to have very good reviews online and I've always been a huge fan of Bose, I actually own a set of QC25 headphones (not sure if that's the correct code) and I absolutely love them.

They are claiming that it is sweat-resistant and stuff.

What do you think?

 

[bdct]

Thank you for your replies, guys.

I found another option:

Bose SoundSport Wireless

It seems to have very good reviews online and I've always been a huge fan of Bose, I actually own a set of QC25 headphones (not sure if that's the correct code) and I absolutely love them.

They are claiming that it is sweat-resistant and stuff.

What do you think?

I have Bose Soundsport wireless(bulky for me),q35(can't use for running but very good sound and batt) and AirPods(stem hope its little shorter. q35 for watching tv. I used AirPods for running, listening to music while sleeping and outside of the house. if I hav to pick 1 it will be AirPods. its very comfortable,battery is not a problem and its easy to carry. just check the fit in your ear Bec it seems thats the concern of many people who don't like it. if it fits you like me then its an excellent buy both in quality, price and convenient just don't expect the sound to be like your q25.

 

[Tarek]

It seems like everyone is recommending the Apple AirPods so I am definitely going to pay the Apple store a visit and check it out. I believe it's the same price as the Bose so I'll have to see both in person and pick. As I mentioned, I've always been a fan of Bose and I feel like around-the-neck bands are a bit easier when you just want to take one earphone off, for example, as you won't be able to do that with the AirPod unless you put it in your pocket or something.

 

[Soondae]

It seems like everyone is recommending the Apple AirPods so I am definitely going to pay the Apple store a visit and check it out. I believe it's the same price as the Bose so I'll have to see both in person and pick. As I mentioned, I've always been a fan of Bose and I feel like around-the-neck bands are a bit easier when you just want to take one earphone off, for example, as you won't be able to do that with the AirPod unless you put it in your pocket or something.

My concern with the AirPods is that they are not rated as sweat / water resistant, the reviews I have read all caution on use for working out. Would be interesting to hear from users if they workout with them and if they had any issues as of yet.

 

[bruinsrme]

I have AirPods, PB3 and qc35.
They all serve me well and in different situations.

I do not believe there is or ever will be a single product solutions.

 

[ggibson913]

Do you think I can give them a try at an Apple store here in the UK? I'm not really sure if they provide any trials or something like with Beats headphones.

I was able to try them here in the US. That was when they first came out though, the store cleans them with alcohol wipes after every try on.
[doublepost=1508420613][/doublepost]

I am in the market for wireless earphones that are water resistant, not really for working out but because it rains a lot over here, and I cannot make a decision on which ones to buy. I've seen many nice ones online but since they're mostly over 100 USD, I thought the best thing to do would be to ask.

I actually have a PowerBeats 2 set but I forgot it back home and now I am studying for a Master's Degree abroad for one year so I have to buy new ones in the mean time.

I have narrowed down my search to four sets of earphones and I hope you can help me make a decision:

1. PowerBeats 3
2. Beats X
3. Apple AirPods
4. Jaybird X3

I don't actually have an iPhone but I feel like the AirPods are actually quite practical and convenient regardless, however I'm not sure if they're very comfortable to wear and if they can actually resist the rain without getting damaged - I'm sure Apple won't replace them for me if they're water-damaged.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thank you.

AirPods are the best you won't regret it. I assume you are an iPhone user.

 

[zipur]

Interesting that there are so FEW complaints about the AirPods when searching the forums, That speaks for itself because every release of anything else gets plenty of complaints until things settle in. I when months and months of Bose, Jaybird, off brand or AirPods. Which to get? Does it fit me? What are my real needs?

Well here's my AirPods Review. Picked up a set of AirPods. Popped the case open and sync's with my iPad, iPhone and iMac in no time. Then I walk out into the yard to gauge range; outstanding! Took one out my ear (Play Stopped then Started), then tried with Youtube worked, Netflix worked. Turned up the volume and got on my treadmill; no prob. All I can say is WOW this finally fits my needs. I got no drop outs even out to my mail box on the street. They are as light as is reported and sit in my ear Better than EarPods for some reason as others have reported. I've had them on for two days now and the newness has rubbed off but I still feel the same about these earbuds. They are great for me.

My needs: Background Music, Sports radio, Audible Books, Youtube audio while at work, out an about or at night in bed.

My problem with other BT earbuds is that they're dead or need to be charged when I need to use them.
--- AirPods can charge one earbud while you use the other! ---
Most things I use them for don't need Audio Fidelity I just need to hear; so the battery life time is unlimited with absolutely no fuss or worry. I have one in the case while listening to the FAN 103 right now! This alone justifies AirPods for my needs!

On the down side. I have the Bose SoundSports. They sound better and louder.
Also I'm in constant fear of loosing one of the buds. Last year I had a pair of Jaybirds they slipped off my neck while I was flushing the toilet. They go down real well. But these are all 1st world problems. As of day two I am happy with the AirPod feel, fit and performance.

By the way I have since ordered this anti loss strap just in case...I know, I know why not just get Jaybirds then. Well I tell myself... I got options.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075B4W88P/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Tarek]

Thank you for all your informative replies. I ended up buying the Bose Sound Sport Wireless. I tried both the AirPods and the Bose and I just leaned towards the latter because of the fit and the sound quality, which is absolutely amazing. It's also rated as splash resistant so I'll be able to replace it in case it gets water damaged from the rain or from working out.

There's only one problem with the Bose, and it's the battery life. I think I am going to have to spend extra money for the portable Bose charging case, which is around 30 - 40 pounds.

 

[1rottenapple]

I've been using Airpods for nearly 3 months now and was amazed by them, they're better than those Powerbeats I had before. If regular earpods stay into your ears then Airpods won't fall out or be a bad fit. Also they're quite water resistant, I left them in my pants during a washcycle and they work just fine, not even a difference in sound quality.

If you have an apple earpods and like the design and fit you will love the airpods.

I can't stand in ear earphones and I don't like the over the ear headphones (makes my head sweaty). The airpods, yes they look dorky but I don't GAF! They're great for working out, they fit in my ear. I don't feel like I'm wearing them at all; they actually never fallen off working out or jogging for me.

I saw a video on youtube where they worked after being in a washer. Its put together with glue so I have no fear using them in some rain and sweating.

Edit: oops my response was too late. LOL

 

[HDFan]

Another option is to purchase the AirPods and return them if they don't work. [I assume that they have the same standard Apple return policy?] I was leaning over the sink with the disposal running and one of the darn things fell out, missing the disposal by about an inch. I have never had any problems with earbuds, but the airpods simply do not work for me.

I just wrote a lengthy review of the studio3s which has many similarities. They are the way to go if you are in the Apple ecosystem for integration purposes. However if sound is your main consideration you should look elsewhere. It's a tradeoff, which is most important: sound or convenience?