Matthew Miller/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways The AirPods Pro 3 can measure your heart rate during a workout. The Apple Watch offers a variety of other health-related tools. I'll buy the AirPods Pro 3, but the Apple Watch is my go-to device. I've used an Apple Watch for years and have always found it a helpful and convenient device. I especially like the health-related features, most notably the heart rate monitor that can not only measure my current rate but keep track of my resting rate, walking rate, and a range over time. I don't always wear my watch around the house. But I do put it on when I go out, especially if I'm walking around the track, going for a bike ride, working out at the gym, or taking a yoga class. I appreciate the way my heart rate is automatically recorded when I exercise or perform another physical activity, captured through the Workout app. Now we hear that the AirPods Pro 3 will come with its own heart rate monitor. This feature will work through a custom photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that shines infrared light pulsed at 256 times per second to measure the absorption of light in your blood flow, according to Apple. In a nutshell, this means that the AirPods will shine light into the blood vessels in your ears. By detecting how much light is absorbed by your blood and how much is reflected back, the sensor can determine your heart rate. Also: Did the AirPods Pro just make the Apple Watch obsolete? This new feature tells me yes There is one potential drawback. Based on Apple's description, the heart rate monitor is designed to kick in only during a workout. When you choose a specific workout from your iPhone's Fitness app or a compatible third-party app, or presumably the Workout app on your Apple Watch, you can track your heart rate, burned calories, and other metrics. But apparently, you can't manually activate the heart rate monitor as you can on an Apple Watch. Still, this is a handy new feature, especially if you only check your heart rate during physical activity. Though I have the AirPods Pro 2, I plan to buy the AirPods Pro 3, not just for the heart rate tool but for other unique features, such as improved Active Noise Cancellation, better in-ear fit, better water resistance, and extended battery life. I've also been wanting an extra pair of AirPods to take to the gym and other places. Why I'm keeping my Apple Watch So, does this new heart rate monitor negate my need for an Apple Watch? Does this mean I'll be leaving my watch at home when I head to the gym, go for a walk, or do something else I want to measure and monitor? No, not quite. Though I won't fully know how the AirPods heart rate sensor will work until I try it, my Apple Watch is far more than just a heart rate tracker, even at the gym. With my Apple Watch 10, I can view my activity levels throughout the day, measure my blood oxygen level, track my sleep patterns, check for signs of atrial fibrillation, view my logged medications, alert someone if I fall, determine if I'm getting sick, take a break with some mindfulness and deep breathing, and measure the surrounding noise levels. And those are just the health-related features. Also: The Apple Watch is so close to replacing my Oura Ring - it just needs this feature At the gym and elsewhere, I can use my watch to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks. While on the go, I can use it to make and receive phone calls, respond to texts and emails, access my calendar, and view the latest weather forecasts. Though Apple's AirPods are evolving into a more versatile device, my Apple Watch is still my go-to gadget for a variety of activities, especially if my iPhone isn't handy. Yes, I may be adding the AirPods Pro 3 to my shopping cart, but my Apple Watch will still have a vital and enduring place on my wrist. Want to follow my work? Add ZDNET as a trusted source on Google. Featured