Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review
Earhooks, heart rate from the ear and 45 hours with the case, for the person who breaks or loses ordinary earbuds.
The verdict
Give the Powerbeats Pro 2 to someone who trains and keeps losing earbuds out of their ears, because the nickel titanium earhook is the specific thing that fixes that. Skip them for someone who mostly listens sitting still, where over-ear headphones are more comfortable and cancel more noise for similar money.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Noise Cancelling Workout Earbuds, Jet Black
~$200
Secure-fit wireless earbuds with earhooks, active noise cancelling, in-ear heart rate sensing and a Qi charging case.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Fit | Nickel titanium alloy earhook, five ear tip sizes, 20% lighter than the previous generation |
|---|---|
| Noise control | Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency mode |
| Heart rate | Built-in sensors pulsing 100+ times per second |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Battery | Up to 45 hours total with the case; 5 minute Fast Fuel charge for 1.5 hours |
| Chip | Apple H2 |
| Case | Wireless Qi charging |
| Microphones | Six total, three per earbud |
Specifications above come from Beats' published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- The earhook is the whole product. For people whose ears reject standard earbuds, this is the design that solves it.
- In-ear heart rate without a chest strap or a watch is genuinely useful for anyone training to zones.
- 45 hours with the case means a week of gym sessions between charges.
- Six microphones and Class 1 Bluetooth make calls usable in noisy places, which most sports earbuds are not.
- They work properly on Android through the Beats app, including heart rate, which is unusual for a device using an Apple chip.
Where it falls short
- IPX4 is splash and sweat resistance, not waterproofing. They are not for swimming and rinsing them under a tap is a bad idea.
- Earhooks are bulkier in a pocket and slower to put on than stemmed earbuds, which is a daily cost for a training-day benefit.
- Noise cancelling in an earbud will not match a good over-ear set, and Beats tune it for gyms rather than aircraft.
- Some Apple-specific features including automatic device switching and hands-free Siri do not carry over to Android.
- Beats note the USB-C charging cable is sold separately, which is a poor look at this price and worth knowing before you gift it.
What owners report
Reports on the Powerbeats line are consistent about fit: people who could not keep other earbuds in describe these as the pair that finally stayed. The heart rate sensing is the newer feature and reports on it are broadly positive for steady effort and less so for rapid changes, which matches how optical sensing works generally.
The second theme is what they are not. Anyone buying them as travel headphones is buying the wrong shape, and our noise cancelling headphones versus earbuds comparison sets out why an over-ear set is the better tool for a plane.
The third is the missing cable. Beats state that the USB-C to USB-C cable is sold separately, so a $200 gift arrives needing a cable most people already own but nobody expects to supply. Add one if you want the gift to be complete.
Who it suits
- Runners, lifters and class-goers who lose ordinary earbuds.
- Anyone who wants heart rate without wearing a watch or a strap.
- People on either Apple or Android, since the core features work on both.
Who should skip it
- Frequent flyers, who want over-ear cancellation instead.
- Swimmers, since IPX4 does not cover submersion.
- Anyone who wants the smallest possible thing in a pocket.
Alternatives worth considering
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
~$249
Much better cancellation of engine and air conditioning drone, more comfortable for long sessions, and a cable for aircraft entertainment systems.
Check price on AmazonGarmin Forerunner 55 GPS Running Watch
~$129
If the training data matters more than the audio, a running watch with two weeks of battery is the better gift for less money.
Check price on AmazonApple Watch Series 11 GPS 42mm
~$299
For an iPhone owner who wants training metrics, sleep tracking and safety features in one device rather than audio.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Do Powerbeats Pro 2 work with Android?
Yes. Beats state that heart rate monitoring, customisable controls and battery widgets all work on Android through the Beats app. What does not carry over is Apple-specific behaviour like automatic device switching and hands-free Siri.
Are they waterproof?
No. They are IPX4, which covers sweat and splashes. They are not for swimming and should not be rinsed under running water, which is the most common way people ruin sports earbuds.
Is the in-ear heart rate accurate?
Optical heart rate at the ear is generally good for steady effort and less reliable during rapid changes in intensity, which is true of wrist sensors too. Treat it as training data rather than a clinical measurement.
Powerbeats or over-ear headphones as a gift?
Earbuds with earhooks for someone who trains, over-ear for someone who commutes or flies. The shape matters far more than the brand, and buying the wrong shape is the usual reason an expensive pair goes unused.
Does the charging cable come in the box?
Beats state the USB-C to USB-C cable is sold separately. Most people already own one, and adding one makes the gift complete rather than nearly complete.
Keep reading
- Noise cancelling headphones vs earbuds compared
- Budget earbuds vs premium headphones compared
- Bose QuietComfort review
- Garmin Forerunner 55 review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.