How accurate is the heart rate monitor on AirPods Pro 3?

Watch This Product

Watch products with ShopSavvy for price drops, stock alerts, deals and more.

Ask Agent About This Product

The AirPods Pro 3 heart rate monitoring delivers impressive accuracy in professional testing. DC Rainmaker described the accuracy as mind-bogglingly good, noting the earbuds outperformed Apple Watch in matching chest strap readings. The technology uses photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors emitting infrared light hundreds of times per second to measure blood flow. Combined with iPhone accelerometers, gyroscope, GPS, and on-device AI, it provides comprehensive cardio tracking. In interval workout testing with rapid heart rate changes—24 repetitions of 60-second hard efforts with 30-second recoveries—the AirPods Pro 3 tracked accurately alongside chest strap measurements. However, accuracy depends heavily on proper fit. Heart rate sensors require consistent skin contact inside the ear. Issues arise when earbuds shift during intense exercise, cold weather reduces ear blood flow, or ear tips do not fit securely. Some users report 15-34 BPM discrepancies during vigorous activities. When worn together, AirPods Pro 3 and Apple Watch share data, automatically using whichever provides more reliable readings. For steady-state cardio, accuracy is excellent. For high-intensity interval training with frequent movement, dedicated chest straps may prove more consistent.