Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: Finally, Beats Gets It Right

Lead-In

When Beats by Dre launched the original Powerbeats Pro back in 2019, it sent shockwaves through the fitness audio community. Here was a pair of true wireless earbuds purpose-built for athletes — with earhooks that actually stayed put, battery life that wouldn't quit mid-marathon, and that signature Beats sound that made every workout feel like a cinematic experience. The problem? They were chunky, they lacked active noise cancellation, and the case was absurdly large. Fast forward to 2025 and Beats has returned with the Powerbeats Pro 2 — a complete rethink that addresses nearly every complaint while introducing a suite of features that put it squarely in competition with the best earbuds on the market. I've spent the last several weeks putting these through their paces in the gym, on the road, and everywhere in between. Here's my full verdict.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 ships at $249.99, positioning it as a premium mid-range option alongside competitors like the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5. But unlike those designs, the Powerbeats Pro 2 carves out its own identity with a fitness-first approach that goes beyond marketing language. The question is: does it earn that price tag, or are you paying a premium for the Beats brand name?

Spoiler: mostly the former, with a few caveats. Let's dig in.

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Testing Methodology

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let me explain how I tested these earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 became my primary audio device for a period of three weeks across multiple environments:

• Gym sessions: Heavy lifting (leg press, deadlifts, bench press), HIIT workouts, and rowing machine sessions
• Outdoor running: Road runs ranging from 3 to 10 miles, in varying temperatures
• Commute and office: Daily use on public transit and in a busy open-plan office
• At home: Evening music listening and podcast playback
• Call quality testing: Multiple Zoom and phone calls across different environments

I tested with a variety of source devices including an iPhone 16 Pro, a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and a MacBook Pro. I primarily used the Beats app on iOS for customization and firmware updates, and the Android equivalent where available. Audio sources included Apple Music (lossless and Dolby Atmos where available), Spotify, and YouTube Music.

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Hardware & Industrial Design

The moment you pick up the Powerbeats Pro 2, the first thing you notice is how much smaller the case is compared to the original. The original Powerbeats Pro case was notorious — it was so large that Beats actually sold separate cases for it. The Gen 2 case is roughly 40% smaller by volume, making it actually pocketable for the first time. It's still not as compact as something like the AirPods Pro 2 case, but it's no longer a dealbreaker.

The case itself has a matte finish with a subtle Beats logo embossed on top. The hinge mechanism feels solid with a satisfying click when you open or close it. Inside, the earbuds snap into their charging cradles with strong magnets — there's no fumbling or uncertainty about whether they're properly seated. A small LED indicator on the front of the case shows charging status (orange when charging, green when full).

The earbuds themselves retain the iconic earhook design that's become synonymous with the Powerbeats line, but they've been significantly refined. The hooks are now more flexible and use a new memory-wire construction that conforms to your ear's unique shape over time. They're not adjustable in the traditional sense — you can't bend them to custom angles — but the material adapts surprisingly well. The hooks now feature a soft-touch coating that feels comfortable against skin even during extended wear, and they don't snag on hair or glasses arms the way the original design sometimes did.

Each earbud weighs in at approximately 8.5 grams — lighter than the original Powerbeats Pro (around 10g per bud) and competitive with other premium true wireless options. The housing itself has been completely redesigned with a more contoured shape that sits deeper in the concha of your ear. The result is a more secure fit that doesn't require as much manipulation to get right.

The outer surface of each earbud features a physical button — not a touch surface. This is a deliberate design choice that I genuinely appreciate. The button provides tactile feedback without the frustrating accidental touches that plague many touch-sensitive earbuds. The button controls are intuitive: single press for play/pause, double press to skip forward, triple press to skip back. Long-pressing the button toggles between ANC and transparency mode.

On the durability front, the Powerbeats Pro 2 carries an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. This means they're protected against splashing water from any direction — perfectly adequate for workouts and light rain, but not submersion. If you're looking for something you can genuinely swim with, you'd need to look at dedicated swimming earbuds like the Shokz OpenSwim Pro. For gym use and outdoor running in any weather short of a monsoon, the IPX4 rating is sufficient.

The earbuds also feature an optical sensor in each housing for in-ear detection. Music pauses when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back. This feature works reliably and is a welcome addition that the original Powerbeats Pro lacked.

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Audio Quality

Let's address the elephant in the room: how do these things sound? The Powerbeats Pro 2 features a completely redesigned driver system centered around a custom 12mm driver — a significant upgrade from the original's 8mm drivers. These are powered by Apple's H2 chip, which enables computational audio features that were previously only available on AirPods.

The overall sound signature will be immediately familiar to anyone who's used Beats products — there's a pronounced low-end that adds presence and energy to workouts. But unlike older Beats products that could border on muddy, the Powerbeats Pro 2 demonstrates significantly improved resolution and control. Bass is impactful without bleeding into the midrange, and the overall balance is far more refined than what the Beats brand historically delivered.

Low-end performance is where these earbuds shine during workouts. Kick drums have genuine weight and authority. Electronic bass lines sound full and present without overwhelming other elements. Even on acoustic tracks, you get a sense of low-end warmth that adds body to vocals and instruments. This isn't the exaggerated boom of early Beats products — it's controlled, musical bass that enhances rather than dominates.

Midrange clarity has improved dramatically. Vocals sound natural and present, whether it's a belted rock chorus or an intimate acoustic performance. There's a slight warmth in the lower midrange that gives male vocals particular richness, while the upper midrange is detailed enough to let female vocals breathe without becoming shrill. The H2 chip's processing helps maintain clarity even at higher volumes.

High-frequency performance is competent if not class-leading. Treble extension is good — cymbals have shimmer and air, string instruments have bite where appropriate. There's no harshness or sibilance to speak of, which is impressive given the consumer-friendly tuning. Those who prefer an analytical or bright sound signature may find these slightly lacking in top-end sparkle, but for the target audience of fitness-focused listeners, the tuning is close to ideal.

Soundstage and imaging are surprisingly good for earbuds in this category. The stereo image is wide and convincing, with instruments occupying distinct positions in space. This helps with immersive listening and also contributes to a more engaging workout experience — music feels less like background accompaniment and more like a driving force.

Spatial Audio is supported when using Apple devices, bringing head-tracked spatial audio to the Powerbeats Pro 2 for the first time. This is the same implementation used in AirPods, meaning you get the full immersive experience with compatible content. It's particularly effective for movies and TV shows, adding a theatrical quality that's impressive for earbuds. Music spatial audio is more of an acquired taste — some tracks benefit enormously while others feel gimmicky. The good news is that you can disable it entirely if it's not your thing.

When compared to competitors, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds its own. Against the AirPods Pro 2, they're arguably more engaging for music with their more pronounced bass response. Against the Sony WF-1000XM5, they're less clinical but more fun. Against the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, they offer a more dynamic sound signature. No pair of earbuds wins every comparison, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 earns its place in the conversation.

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Fit & Active Noise Cancellation

The Secure-Fit earhook design is the defining characteristic of the Powerbeats line, and I'm happy to report that the second generation delivers on the promise in almost every way. The hooks wrap around the upper ridge of your ear (the helix) and hold the earbud firmly in place through pure mechanical geometry rather than ear tips forcing a seal. This means the fit is remarkably consistent across different ear shapes — there's no dependence on finding the right ear tip size to achieve stability.

During my testing, I wore the Powerbeats Pro 2 through some genuinely punishing workout scenarios. In the gym, I performed multiple sets of heavy deadlifts, including dropped weights that sent vibrations through the entire platform. I did box jumps, kettlebell swings, and sprints on the rowing machine. The earbuds never shifted, never required adjustment, and never fell out. Not once.

Outdoor running presented the same story. Even during a particularly brutal 10-mile run in 50-degree temperatures with a buff scarf potentially interfering with the hook placement, the Powerbeats Pro 2 stayed locked in place. Wind noise was present, but the earbuds themselves never became dislodged.

The ear tip options are more limited than some competitors — the Powerbeats Pro 2 ships with four ear tip sizes (small, medium, large, and extra-large) but uses a proprietary tip design that's slightly different from standard silicone tips. The tips provide an additional seal that contributes to both fit security and passive isolation, but the earbuds can still be used effectively with just the hook — the seal is helpful but not essential.

Active Noise Cancellation is a first for the Powerbeats line, and it's genuinely impressive. The H2 chip enables real-time adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts 48,000 times per second based on the fit and seal of the earbuds. In practice, this means the ANC performs consistently even if you adjust the earbuds slightly during a workout.

In a gym environment, the ANC effectively eliminates the constant low-frequency hum of HVAC systems and the rhythmic clatter of weights. It's less effective against sharp, transient sounds — someone dropping a heavy dumbbell will still cut through — but that's honestly true of every ANC system on the market. The overall effect is a significant reduction in environmental distraction that helps maintain focus during sets.

On public transit, the ANC performs well for a fitness-focused earbud. Subway rumble is significantly reduced, and the system handles the variable noise profile of different stations admirably. Compared to class leaders like the AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5, the ANC is slightly less powerful — about 80-85% as effective in my testing — but for fitness scenarios where you're exercising outdoors or in a gym, it gets the job done.

Transparency Mode is where the implementation really shines. The passthrough audio sounds remarkably natural, almost like you're not wearing earbuds at all. This is partly due to the H2 chip's computational audio processing, which actively filters and adjusts the transparency mix in real-time. The result is that you can have full conversations, hear traffic and environmental cues, and navigate safely while still enjoying your audio.

The transition between ANC and transparency modes is smooth and instantaneous via the long-press gesture. You can also cycle through a third mode — Adaptive Audio — which automatically blends ANC and transparency based on your environment. This is particularly useful for outdoor runners who need situational awareness but also want to zone out during certain portions of their run.

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Battery Life

Battery life was one of the original Powerbeats Pro's strongest selling points, and the sequel maintains that tradition while adding power-hungry features like ANC. Beats rates the Powerbeats Pro 2 at up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC enabled, with the charging case providing an additional 38 hours of capacity. That totals 48 hours — a figure that puts it at the top of the premium true wireless category.

In my testing, these figures proved to be relatively accurate, though real-world results varied based on volume levels and feature usage. At moderate volume (around 60%) with ANC enabled, I consistently achieved 9-10 hours per charge. Pushing to higher volumes or enabling features like Spatial Audio reduced that figure slightly, but never below 8 hours in my testing.

The charging case itself provides approximately 3.5 full additional charges for the earbuds, which is genuinely impressive. Most competitors in this space offer 2-2.5 additional charges from their cases. The total system battery life of 48 hours means that even for the most demanding users — ultramarathoners, multi-day hikers, or anyone who travels frequently — the Powerbeats Pro 2 should last well beyond a full day of continuous use.

Charging is handled via USB-C on the case, which is a welcome upgrade from the original's Lightning port. The case also supports wireless charging via any Qi-compatible charging pad, making it convenient to top up on a desk or nightstand without fumbling with cables. A 5-minute quick charge delivers up to 1.5 hours of playback — enough for a solid workout session if you forget to charge overnight.

One small frustration: the case doesn't have a battery level indicator beyond the LED that shows charging status. You can check individual earbud and case battery levels through the Beats app or your phone's OS, but there's no quick visual reference on the case itself. This is a minor complaint but feels like an oversight given the case's otherwise excellent design.

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Features & Connectivity

The Powerbeats Pro 2 is powered by Apple's H2 chip, which means it integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem while still offering solid functionality on Android devices. The pairing process on iOS is effortless — open the case near your iPhone and you'll see a pairing animation appear automatically. From there, the earbuds sync across your Apple ID and become available on all your Apple devices.

On Apple devices, you get the full suite of H2-powered features: hands-free Siri activation ("Hey Siri"), automatic device switching between Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, Find My integration for locating lost earbuds, and Personalized Spatial Audio that uses your iPhone's TrueDepth camera to create a custom spatial audio profile tailored to your ear geometry. This last feature is genuinely impressive — it creates a noticeably more accurate and immersive soundstage than the generic spatial audio implementation.

On Android devices, the experience is more basic but still functional. Google Fast Pair is supported for quick Bluetooth pairing, and the Beats app (available on both iOS and Android) provides firmware updates, control customization, and access to features like ANC mode selection and ear tip fit testing. The Beats app on Android is actually quite good — Beats has historically been better at Android support than Apple, and that continues here. You won't get Personalized Spatial Audio or hands-free Siri, but the core audio experience is identical.

Bluetooth 5.3 provides reliable wireless connectivity with good range. I was able to maintain a stable connection at approximately 40 feet through one wall without audio dropouts — impressive performance that should cover most home and office scenarios. Latency is minimal, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 handles video playback without any noticeable sync issues.

Control customization through the Beats app allows you to remap the long-press gesture on each earbud independently. Available options include ANC mode cycling, volume adjustment, Spotify Tap (which launches Spotify and begins playback with a single tap), or voice assistant activation. This level of customization is welcome and lets you tailor the experience to your preferences.

Hands-free Siri worked flawlessly in my testing, correctly interpreting commands even in moderately noisy environments. This is an area where the H2 chip's processing capabilities really shine — the earbuds' microphones are able to isolate your voice effectively without picking up excessive background noise.

Find My support means you can locate lost earbuds through Apple's Find My network, leveraging the hundreds of millions of Apple devices in the world to help pinpoint a lost earbud's location. If an earbud is truly lost (not just misplaced in your home), the Find My network can help you find it even if it's not connected to your phone.

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Related Reviews: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones · Soundcore Boom 3i · Echo Dot Max · Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

Final Verdict

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 represents something of a redemption arc for the Powerbeats line. Where the original was a compelling but compromised product — great sound and battery life undermined by awkward size and missing features — the sequel addresses virtually every criticism while introducing meaningful new capabilities.

What Works:

• The redesigned case is finally pocket-sized
• Fit is exceptional — the earhooks are comfortable and never shift
• Sound quality is significantly improved over the original
• ANC performance is genuinely useful, not just a checkbox feature
• Transparency mode is among the best in class
• 48-hour total battery life is class-leading
• USB-C and wireless charging support
• Seamless Apple ecosystem integration with H2 chip
• Solid Android support through the Beats app
• Physical buttons eliminate accidental touches

What Doesn't:

• ANC doesn't quite match the absolute best (AirPods Pro 2, Sony WF-1000XM5)
• No Bluetooth multipoint — you can only connect to one device at a time
• The Beats app on Android doesn't offer quite as much customization as Apple's implementation
• No Hi-Res Audio support despite premium pricing
• The case could use a battery level indicator

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is not trying to be the absolute best earbuds for every person. It's trying to be the best earbuds for people who exercise, and on that front, it largely succeeds. The combination of Secure-Fit earhooks, IPX4 sweat resistance, class-leading battery life, and genuinely effective ANC makes it uniquely qualified for its intended use case. If you've been burned by earbuds that fall out during workouts, if you've been frustrated by ANC that doesn't work during exercise, or if you simply want earbuds that can survive whatever you throw at them and keep playing, the Powerbeats Pro 2 deserves your attention.

At $249.99, it's priced competitively against its closest rivals. It's $50 less than the AirPods Pro 2, $20 less than the Sony WF-1000XM5, and on par with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. For Apple users who prioritize fitness, it might actually be the best value in Apple's earbud lineup — you get most of the AirPods Pro 2 experience with a fit that's demonstrably more secure for exercise.

If you're an Android user looking for the absolute best noise cancellation, you might still want to look at Sony's offering. If you prioritize sound quality above all else, there are options that might edge it out. But for the specific intersection of fitness functionality and everyday usability, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is a winner.

Bottom line: The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is the best Powerbeats product ever made, and one of the best fitness-focused earbuds you can buy. It earns its price tag, it solves the original's biggest problems, and it delivers a listening experience that's genuinely enjoyable both in and out of the gym.

If you're upgrading from the original Powerbeats Pro, you'll find nearly everything improved. If you're coming from another pair of earbuds and want something designed specifically for an active lifestyle, the Powerbeats Pro 2 should be at the top of your list to audition.

Buy the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 on Amazon