Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: When it comes to workout earbuds, Beats has always been a trusted name, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 is no exception. As someone who’s tried a fair share of wireless earbuds over the years, I was eager to see how this latest iteration stacked up against its predecessor and competitors. Spoiler alert: the Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers on many fronts but isn’t without its quirks. Let me walk you through my experience.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 First Impressions and Design
The first thing I noticed about the Powerbeats Pro 2 was its design. While it retains the iconic ear-hook style of its predecessor, the earbuds are now slimmer and lighter. This makes them more comfortable for extended use, whether you’re running a marathon or just binge-watching your favorite series.
The ear hooks provide a secure fit, which is perfect for high-intensity workouts. However, if you’re not used to this design, it might take some getting used to.
The earbuds come in four vibrant colors: Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange. I opted for Hyper Purple—it’s bold and adds a splash of personality to my workout gear.
One downside? The charging case is still bulky compared to other premium earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting if portability is a priority for you.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Comfort and Fit
As someone who often struggles with earbuds slipping out during workouts, I was relieved that these stayed put no matter what. The silicone ear tips create a snug seal, but I did notice some slight movement when my ears got sweaty during long runs. While this didn’t affect sound quality much, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning intense cardio sessions.
The IPX4 water resistance rating means they can handle sweat and light rain but aren’t fully waterproof. So, swimming with them is off the table.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Sound Quality
Let’s talk about sound—because at $250, they better sound good, right? Thankfully, they do. Powered by Apple’s H2 chip (the same found in AirPods Pro 2), the Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers clear audio with punchy bass that doesn’t overpower the mids and highs. Tracks like Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy sounded deep and resonant, while acoustic songs like Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car had an airy clarity that felt immersive.
One standout feature is Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. I tested this while watching movies and listening to music at home—it creates an almost surround-sound-like experience that feels cinematic. However, this feature doesn’t add much value during workouts.
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is decent but not industry-leading. It muffles gym noises and city sounds effectively, but struggles against strong winds during outdoor runs. Transparency mode is handy for situational awareness but lacks customization options to tweak ambient noise levels.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Performance
I put these earbuds through their paces during weightlifting sessions, treadmill runs, and outdoor jogs. They excelled in stability and comfort but weren’t flawless in all scenarios:
- Stability: The ear hooks ensured they stayed in place even during burpees and sprints.
- Sound Isolation: The ANC worked well indoors but struggled outdoors where wind noise became noticeable.
- Heart Rate Monitoring: A unique addition! While it’s cool to have heart rate tracking built into your earbuds, it felt redundant since I already use an Apple Watch for fitness metrics.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Battery Life
Battery life is another area where the Powerbeats Pro 2 shines. With ANC off, you get up to 10 hours of playback on a single charge (8 hours with ANC on). Combined with the charging case, you can extend this to 45 hours (36 hours with ANC). For someone like me who often forgets to charge devices regularly, this was a lifesaver.
Fast charging is another bonus—just five minutes in the case gives you 1.5 hours of playback.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Connectivity and Controls
Pairing these earbuds with my iPhone was seamless thanks to the H2 chip. They also work well with Android devices, though some features like Spatial Audio are exclusive to Apple users.
The physical buttons on each earbud are intuitive and easy to use mid-workout—no fumbling around trying to pause music or skip tracks. However, there’s no Precision Finding feature like on AirPods Pro 2 for locating lost earbuds; instead, you get a more basic “Find My” integration.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Call Quality
Call quality was surprisingly excellent! With six microphones (three per earbud) and machine-learning-based noise isolation tech, my voice came through crystal clear even in noisy environments. A friend even commented that I sounded “particularly empathetic” during one call—a compliment I’ll gladly take!
What Could Be Better?
While the Powerbeats Pro 2 has plenty of strengths, there are areas where it falls short:
- Price: At $250, these are premium earbuds competing with heavyweights like Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4.
- Waterproofing: An IPX4 rating feels underwhelming for workout-focused earbuds.
- ANC Performance: It’s good but not great compared to competitors in this price range.
- Heart Rate Monitoring Usability: Cool in theory, but not very practical if you already own a fitness tracker.
Final Verdict: Are They Worth It?
If you’re an athlete or fitness enthusiast who values secure fit and robust sound quality above all else, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is an excellent choice. They’re comfortable for long sessions, deliver satisfying audio performance, and pack useful features like heart rate monitoring and Spatial Audio.
However, if you’re looking for top-tier ANC or need waterproof earbuds for swimming or extreme conditions, you might want to explore other options like Bose QuietComfort Ultra or JBL Tour Pro 3.
For me personally? These have become my go-to workout earbuds because of their stability and sound quality—even if they aren’t perfect in every scenario. If you’re willing to splurge on premium workout gear that doubles as everyday earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro 2 won’t disappoint!
FAQs: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Q1: How do the Powerbeats Pro 2 compare to AirPods Pro 2?
A: The Powerbeats Pro 2 prioritize secure fit and bass-heavy sound, making them ideal for workouts. AirPods Pro 2 offer better ANC, a more compact design, and seamless iOS integration, but lack ear hooks and heart rate monitoring. Choose based on your priority: workouts (Powerbeats) or everyday convenience (AirPods).
Q2: Are these earbuds good for running?
A: Absolutely! The ear hooks keep them secure even during sprints or HIIT. Just note that wind noise can interfere with ANC during outdoor runs, so transparency mode might be better for situational awareness.
Q3: Is the heart rate monitor accurate?
A: It’s decent for casual tracking, but don’t expect medical-grade precision. If you already use a fitness watch, you might find this feature redundant.
Q4: Can I use these with Android phones?
A: Yes, they pair with Android via Bluetooth, but features like Spatial Audio and Precision Finding are iOS-exclusive.
Q5: How’s the battery life with ANC turned on?
A: You get up to 8 hours per charge with ANC enabled, and the case extends this to 36 hours total. Without ANC, it’s 10 hours (45 hours with the case).
Q6: Are they waterproof?
A: No—they’re IPX4-rated, meaning sweat- and splash-resistant. Avoid submerging them in water or using them while swimming.
Q7: Do they support wireless charging?
A: Yes, the case supports Qi wireless charging, and a USB-C cable is included for wired charging.
Q8: Can I use just one earbud at a time?
A: Yes! Each earbud works independently, so you can use either the left or right one solo for calls or music.
Q9: How’s the microphone quality for calls?
A: Surprisingly good! The six-mic setup and noise isolation tech make your voice clear, even in noisy environments like gyms or busy streets.
Q10: Do they have a “Find My” feature if I lose them?
A: Yes, but it’s basic compared to AirPods. You can see their last known location in the Find My app, but there’s no Precision Finding or sound-guided tracking.
Q11: Are they worth $250?
A: If you’re a fitness enthusiast who wants secure fit, great sound, and heart rate tracking, yes. For casual users or those prioritizing ANC, consider alternatives like Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
Q12: Do they come with different ear tip sizes?
A: Yes! You get four silicone ear tips (XS, S, M, L) to customize the fit.
Q13: Can I use Spatial Audio during workouts?
A: Technically yes, but it’s more useful for movies or music at home. During workouts, I found it distracting and unnecessary.
Q14: How’s the bass performance?
A: Punchy and energetic—perfect for hip-hop, EDM, or any genre where bass matters. It’s balanced enough to avoid muddying mids and highs.
Q15: Do they work with voice assistants like Siri or Google Assistant?
A: Yes! Press and hold the button on either earbud to activate Siri (iOS) or Google Assistant (Android).
Q16: How long does it take to fully charge the case?
A: About 90 minutes via USB-C. A 5-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback—great for last-minute top-ups.
Q17: Can I use these for gaming?
A: They’re fine for casual gaming, but there’s noticeable latency (delay) in audio. For competitive gaming, opt for dedicated low-latency earbuds.
Q18: Do they have multipoint connectivity?
A: No, you can’t connect to multiple devices simultaneously. You’ll need to manually switch between devices.
Q19: Are the buttons easy to press during workouts?
A: Yes! The physical buttons require a firm press, so accidental taps are rare. They’re tactile and responsive, even with sweaty fingers.
Q20: What’s the warranty period?
A: Beats offers a standard 1-year limited warranty. Consider AppleCare+ for extended coverage against accidental damage.