The heart rate tracking on AirPods Pro 3 delivers remarkably accurate results. In testing against the Polar H10 chest strap (considered the clinical gold standard), the AirPods showed an average deviation of just ±1.8 BPM across HIIT workouts, running, and cycling sessions.
How It Works
Apple's photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor pulses infrared light 256 times per second to detect blood flow in your ear canal. This data combines with accelerometer and gyroscope readings. Sophisticated algorithms separate your actual heart rate from confounding factors like foot strikes while running.
Accuracy in Practice
- Average deviation of ±1.8 BPM compared to clinical-grade chest straps
- Maximum deviation of just 4 BPM during intense exercises like burpees
- Zero dropouts during vigorous movements including jump squats and mountain climbers
- Often matches or exceeds Apple Watch accuracy in head-to-head testing
When you wear both an Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 3 during workouts, they work together. The system automatically uses whichever source has higher confidence at any moment for even better accuracy.
What to Consider
Heart rate tracking reduces battery life from about 8 hours to approximately 7 hours with ANC enabled. Unlike a smartwatch, you cannot quickly glance at your heart rate during workouts without checking your iPhone. The AirPods also do not display heart rate zone information the way Apple Watch Ultra does.
For casual fitness tracking and workout monitoring, though, the accuracy is genuinely impressive. Multiple reviewers have called it "clinical-grade" and noted it outperforms previous ear-based heart rate attempts by a significant margin.
If accurate workout heart rate data matters to you and you prefer earbuds over a smartwatch, the AirPods Pro 3 deliver on this promise.
