If you’re a fitness enthusiast looking for secure, high-performance earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro 2 might just be your next gym companion. As the successor to 2019’s Powerbeats Pro, these latest earbuds from Apple-owned Beats come packed with upgrades—including active noise cancellation, an Apple H2 chip, and even built-in heart rate monitoring. But are they worth the $250 price tag? Let’s find out.
Design: Smaller, Lighter, and More Durable
The Powerbeats Pro 2 retains its signature ear-hook design but with a fresh, more compact look. The new design is curvier and 20% lighter than its predecessor, making them more comfortable to wear. Beats has also introduced a nickel-titanium alloy ear hook, which is 50% smaller yet more durable—ensuring these earbuds stay put no matter how intense your workout gets.
Key Features:
- IPX4 water and sweat resistance for worry-free workouts
- Physical volume and playback buttons for easy control
- Five ear tip sizes for a better fit
- Optical heart rate sensor on both earbuds
Pros:
✅ Lighter and more compact than the original Powerbeats Pro
✅ Physical buttons make volume control effortless
✅ Improved fit and durability
✅ Qi-wireless charging support
Cons:
❌ Ear hooks can be overly tight, snapping back with force
❌ Buttons are easy to press accidentally when inserting the earbuds
❌ Charging case, though smaller, is still quite bulky
Comfort is subjective, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 may not be the best for prolonged use. Unlike traditional in-ear buds, these rely on both the ear tips and the ear hook to stay in place. While they provide an ultra-secure fit, the hook’s grip can cause discomfort after about an hour of use.
If you struggle to keep regular earbuds in your ears, these will be a game-changer. However, prolonged use may leave your ears sore—especially due to the hook’s rigid design.
While the Powerbeats Pro 2 works on both iOS and Android, Apple users get more perks.
Exclusive Apple Features:
- One-touch pairing with Apple devices
- Spatial audio with head tracking (on supported content)
- Audio sharing with other Beats or AirPods
- Lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro
Android users can still enjoy features like ANC, heart rate monitoring, and customizable settings via the Beats app. However, a major letdown is the lack of multi-point pairing, meaning you can’t connect to two devices simultaneously.
If you love bass-heavy, high-energy tracks, the Powerbeats Pro 2 won’t disappoint. They feature a Harman-esque tuning, with a slight emphasis on bass and a softer treble response.
Sound Profile:
- Bass-forward: Adds punch but remains controlled
- Mid-range dip: Vocals take a step back in the mix
- Treble softness: Lacks some shimmer and airiness
For workout playlists filled with hip-hop and EDM, the tuning works well. However, if you’re looking for more balanced or detail-rich audio, these may not impress—especially at this price point.
The addition of active noise cancellation (ANC) is a welcome upgrade, but it’s not the best in class. Due to the ear tip design, passive noise isolation isn’t as strong as other ANC earbuds, meaning mid and high-frequency sounds still come through.
On the plus side, transparency mode is excellent, allowing natural-sounding ambient awareness with minimal lag.
One of the standout features of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is built-in heart rate monitoring—a rare feature in earbuds. However, it’s not as seamless as a smartwatch:
- You need to double-press and hold the Beats button every time you want to activate HR tracking.
- Data syncs with third-party apps like Nike Run Club and Peloton, rather than showing directly in iOS Health or the Beats app.
- The sensor’s accuracy depends on a tight, proper fit—if it doesn’t sit flush against your ear, the readings may be unreliable.
While useful for connecting to gym equipment, most people may still prefer a smartwatch or fitness band for HR tracking.
Battery life is one of the strongest aspects of the Powerbeats Pro 2.
🔋 Up to 10 hours per charge (13+ hours in testing)
🔋 Wireless charging support
🔋 Minimal battery drain from heart rate monitoring
The case also plays a chime when charging, a small but useful feature.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are built for fitness lovers. If your priority is secure, workout-friendly earbuds with good sound and long battery life, these are an excellent choice. The heart rate sensor, physical buttons, and water resistance make them ideal for athletes.
However, if you need everyday earbuds with top-tier ANC, multi-device pairing, and better all-around sound, you might be better off with the AirPods Pro 2 or other premium earbuds.
Who Should Buy?
✔️ Fitness enthusiasts who need secure-fitting earbuds
✔️ People who prefer physical controls over touch gestures
✔️ Users looking for long battery life and water resistance
Who Should Skip?
❌ Those looking for all-day comfort
❌ Users who want strong ANC performance
❌ People who need multi-point pairing
At $250, they’re a specialized product for a specific audience. If you’re that audience, you’ll love them. If not, you may want to look elsewhere.