Upon their launch in 2019, Powerbeats Pro were heralded as “the ultimate sport earphones.” They redefined the benchmarks for workout-centric headphones, introducing a fully wireless design, a highly secure ear-hook fit, and top-notch durability.
Now, Beats has just launched Powerbeats Pro 2, delivering enhancements in every aspect. Notably, they come with a groundbreaking fitness feature: integrated heart rate monitoring.
After using the Powerbeats Pro 2 for two weeks, here’s everything you should know.
Powerbeats Pro 2 Highlights
- Equipped with the Apple H2 chip featuring ANC, Transparency mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, and more
- The carrying case is 33% smaller, now with USB-C and Qi charging options
- Integrated heart rate monitoring functionalities
- Battery life: Up to 45 hours when using the case
- Available colors: Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange
- IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance
- Price: $249.99
- Pre-orders start today, with deliveries set for February 13
Powerbeats Pro 2 Design and Fit
The redesigned Powerbeats Pro effectively retains the beloved design aesthetic of the original while implementing significant improvements. A noticeable aspect is their reduced bulkiness; Powerbeats Pro 2 are notably slimmer, with a more compact form factor for the ear hooks.
I initially worried that the sleek profile of the Powerbeats Pro 2 ear hooks might lead to discomfort. However, after extensive usage over the past two weeks, I can confirm they feel just as comfortable as before. Beats claims these are 20% lighter, a sentiment I can personally attest to.
Not only are these earbuds comfortable, but Powerbeats Pro 2 hold the title of the most secure-fitting earbuds I have ever used. The combination of ear hooks and in-ear tips effectively ensures they stay firmly in place. Initially, it took a few tries to achieve the perfect fit, but once attained, I encountered no issues at all.
There’s significant reassurance associated with the design of Powerbeats Pro 2. In contrast to AirPods Pro, which have slipped out during intense exertion or even light rain, Powerbeats Pro 2 give me the confidence that they will stay securely in my ears.
Although Powerbeats Pro 2 are significantly lighter, Beats has retained the built-in control options. Each earbud features a multifunction button on the ‘b’ logo, allowing users to change listening modes, play or pause music, and more. These button actions can be customized within the Settings app on your iPhone. Additionally, there’s a tactile volume rocker on both earbuds. While I’ve found the volume control a bit tricky to navigate while moving, it’s a handy feature to have at your disposal.
Powerbeats Pro 2 Case
The smaller profile of the Powerbeats Pro 2 has also allowed Beats to significantly reduce the size of the charging case. The new design is 33% smaller than its predecessor, addressing one of the most frequent complaints about the original Powerbeats Pro. A variety of engineering efforts were invested into creating this more compact case.
“Getting the charging case to this size was no small feat. Our team conducted thousands of experiments to ensure that the ear hook positioning, usability, and bud presentation were all optimized for the smallest possible charging case,” Matthew Costello, Apple’s VP of Hardware Engineering, shared with DMN.
Though the Powerbeats Pro 2 case does remain larger compared to the cases for AirPods 4, AirPods Pro, and other Beats models, this is understandable due to the earhook design. Given the original Powerbeats Pro’s popularity, many consumers may find this to be a reasonable trade-off. In my two weeks of usage, the updated, smaller case has been a significant quality-of-life improvement.
Besides the compact design, the Powerbeats Pro 2 case also introduces two notable upgrades. The more exciting change is the shift from Lightning to USB-C charging. Additionally, this marks the first time Beats has included wireless charging support in one of its cases, addressing a limitation I’ve frequently pointed out in my past reviews.
From left to right: Beats Solo Buds, Beats Studio Buds+, AirPods 3, AirPods Pro 2, Beats Fit Pro, Powerbeats Pro 2, Powerbeats Pro 1
Connectivity Features
I’m pleased to announce that the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the first Beats product since the Beats Fit Pro to utilize an Apple audio chip.
The recent models from Beats, such as Studio Buds Plus and Solo 4, have featured custom Beats chips instead of Apple-designed ones, which impacted their compatibility with certain features popular among Apple users, like automatic in-ear detection and iCloud pairing.
With the Powerbeats Pro 2, Beats has returned to using an Apple-designed chip, specifically the H2, which is also utilized in the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4. This ensures users enjoy the full suite of Apple-centric audio features, including:
- Single-Touch pairing
- Audio Sharing: Allows simultaneous media playback with another set of compatible Beats headphones or AirPods
- Find My: Functionality to track lost headphones via the last known connection
- Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- iCloud pairing: Seamless connection with all devices in your iCloud account
- Siri support: Access via “Hey Siri” or “Siri” command
- Ultra-low latency: Enhanced audio performance for Apple Vision Pro
- In-ear detection, which automatically plays or pauses music
- Ear tip fit test available in iPhone settings
I cannot stress how delighted I am to see the Powerbeats Pro 2 employing Apple’s H2 chip, providing almost the same functionality as AirPods Pro 2 for Apple users. In my experience, each feature has operated flawlessly. The connection process is quick and intuitive, and the automatic device switching is swift and reliable, with seamless Vision Pro integration.
“This product’s success is attributed to the exceptional technology and teams at Apple,” Costello noted when I asked about the incorporation of the H2 chip into Powerbeats Pro 2.
Sound Quality
Powerbeats Pro 2 provide Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode as listening options. ANC is designed to block external noise, while Transparency Mode lets in environmental sounds.
Beats describes the sound architecture of Powerbeats Pro 2 as follows:
Featuring a redesigned acoustic architecture and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers powerful, immersive sound characterized by clear highs, rich mids, and deep bass.
To ensure the best auditory experience during physical activities, Beats utilized Apple’s premier Active Noise Cancelling technology and incorporated Transparency mode to keep athletes aware of their surroundings. The Adaptive EQ adjusts sound in real time based on the fit in the user’s ears; it employs inward-facing microphones that constantly monitor the sound, and Adaptive EQ optimizes low and mid frequencies based on fit variances.
While I am not an audiophile, I have sampled various AirPods and Beats headphones over the years. The Powerbeats Pro 2 exhibit a distinctly bass-heavy sound profile, more pronounced than any recent Beats product I’ve tested.
Ultimately, whether this bass-heavy profile appeals to you is subjective. I enjoy it most of the time, although there are certain instances where a more balanced sound might be preferable (for example, during piano-led ballads like Coldplay’s “The Scientist”).
I’ve been thoroughly impressed with the ANC capabilities of the Powerbeats Pro 2. It ranks as the best ANC experience I’ve had with any earbuds, even surpassing the AirPods Pro 2. I attribute this success to the snug and precise in-ear fit of the Powerbeats Pro 2. Although the AirPods Pro 2 also feature an in-ear design, the earhook provides an extra layer of security for the perfect fit.
Furthermore, Powerbeats Pro 2 include five sizes of ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL) in the package, compared to the four sizes included with AirPods Pro 2.
Battery Life
You may think that the more compact Powerbeats Pro 2 would result in reduced battery life, but the opposite is true.
- 45 hours of battery life with the charging case (when ANC and Transparency Mode are off)
- 10 hours of playback per earbud per charge
- 36 hours of battery life with the charging case (when ANC or Transparency Mode is active)
- 8 hours of playback per earbud per charge
For context, the original Powerbeats Pro provided a maximum of 9 hours of listening time per bud and up to 24 hours of overall battery life with the case.
Additionally, the Powerbeats Pro 2 supports Fast Fuel, delivering up to 90 minutes of playback from just a quick five-minute charge. I look forward to Apple adopting this feature for AirPods.
I have consistently found Beats to be reliable regarding battery life claims, and the Powerbeats Pro continue that tradition.
Heart Rate Monitoring
All these benefits and innovations make Powerbeats Pro 2 a compelling offering, but they also feature integrated heart rate monitoring.
Each earbud includes a heart rate monitor with four essential components. Firstly, an LED sensor emits green light at a frequency exceeding 100 pulses per second. This light penetrates the skin and interacts with red blood cells. An attached photodiode then captures the reflected light modulated by the blood flow. An optical lens helps direct and differentiate the emitted and received light, complemented by an accelerometer for reliable and consistent data collection.
Beats notes that the heart rate sensor technology employed in the Powerbeats Pro 2 borrows from Apple’s advancements with the Apple Watch.
So, how does this heart rate monitoring feature function within Powerbeats Pro 2?
In collaboration with prominent fitness applications, Beats has integrated heart rate data from Powerbeats Pro 2 into iPhone app functionalities:
- Peloton
- Nike Run Club
- Runna
- Ladder
- Slopes
- Open
- YaoYao
While these are primary apps highlighted by Beats, Powerbeats Pro 2 can utilize heart rate data with any app capable of accessing data from the Health app via Apple’s HealthKit API.
Management of heart rate data occurs within Apple’s Health app. For instance, Peloton users must allow the app to read heart rate information from Health. Once permission is granted, initiating a workout in Peloton will enable the Powerbeats Pro 2 to monitor and record heart rate data during the workout. This information is subsequently stored in both the Peloton app and the Health app.
However, iPhone users will find a gap in integration with Apple Fitness+. Although one can use Apple Fitness+ without an Apple Watch, the service does not accept heart rate data from non-Apple Watch devices for its on-screen metrics. Still, if you wear the Powerbeats Pro 2 during an Apple Fitness+ workout, your heart rate data will display in the Health app and appear in the summary post-workout in the Fitness app.
Moreover, while you wear them, Powerbeats Pro 2 continuously collect background heart rate measurements. This information can be found in the Health app.
However, if you already own an Apple Watch, you might not find the heart rate sensors in Powerbeats Pro 2 particularly useful. The Bluetooth connection does not allow the earbuds to function as a “health device” like the Apple Watch does.
Alternatively, for those without an Apple Watch, the Powerbeats Pro 2 provide an excellent solution for monitoring heart rate during physical activity. From my experience, the accuracy matches that of the Apple Watch’s heart rate sensor, allowing you to work out with minimal gear while still obtaining valuable heart rate data.
Additional Powerbeats Pro 2 Insights
- Powerbeats Pro 2 come equipped with enhanced digital voice microphones and an integrated voice accelerometer, utilizing advanced computational audio.
- Supports Voice Isolation through beam-forming microphone technology and wind noise reduction systems.
- Sets new standards as the first Beats product supporting Lossless Audio with ultra-low latency for Apple’s Vision Pro, providing an unmatched auditory experience.
- Powerbeats Pro 2 packaging incorporates 100% plant-based materials sourced from recycled fibers and sustainable forests.
DMN’s Perspective
What stands out to me about the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the evident collaboration between Apple and Beats. Despite being an Apple-owned entity and having utilized Apple audio chips in the past, Beats’ current acknowledgment of their collaboration on the H2 chip and heart rate monitoring illustrates a deepening partnership. Ultimately, customers are the primary beneficiaries of this evolving relationship, as evidenced by the impressive enhancements found in Powerbeats Pro 2.
The Powerbeats name has held a significant place in the Beats lineup since 2010, but the original Powerbeats Pro introduced in 2019 elevated the brand immensely. An Apple-supported chip design, paired with exceptional battery life, robust durability, and the characteristic earhook style, distinguished Powerbeats Pro in the increasingly competitive landscape of truly wireless earbuds.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 represent an ideal evolution of the product line. They preserve the beloved design while making essential updates such as a slimmer build and a more compact charging case. The stellar battery life and impressive performance courtesy of the H2 chip are vital upgrades, and the secure fit remains unparalleled.
Even without considering the heart rate monitoring capabilities, the enhancements alone justify the existence of the “Powerbeats Pro 2” revision.
That said, I suspect I might not frequently utilize the heart rate monitoring feature in the Powerbeats Pro 2. As someone who consistently wears an Apple Watch, I fail to identify scenarios where using the earbuds for heart rate tracking would be preferable to my watch.
However, within the Apple-centric community, one may assume everyone uses an Apple Watch, but in reality, that’s not entirely true. A significant number of individuals would greatly value having integrated heart rate monitoring available in their earbuds. For specific workouts, it can be cumbersome or uncomfortable to wear an Apple Watch. For those people, the Powerbeats Pro 2 provide a fantastic alternative.
That being said, I do wish Beats and Apple had considered the Apple Watch’s functionality when developing the heart rate monitoring tech for Powerbeats Pro 2. For example, ideally, you’d be able to pair the earbuds with your Apple Watch and utilize the heart rate data captured by them instead of your watch. Presently, the Apple Watch does accommodate third-party heart monitors, including the well-known Polar H10 Chest Strap; however, the Powerbeats Pro 2 do not offer that same integration.
Targeted primarily toward fitness enthusiasts, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can also be a great option for those seeking a new pair of earbuds, even if you don’t consider yourself part of that category. The reassurance that comes with owning truly wireless earbuds that stay securely in place is invaluable.
Ultimately, the release of Powerbeats Pro 2 signifies that Beats is performing exceptionally well at present. This offering represents the company’s most ambitious product to date, melding significant form factor advancements with groundbreaking heart rate monitoring technology. Furthermore, Beats continuously presents users with features, colors, and styles, which Apple’s AirPods currently lack.
Powerbeats Pro 2 are ready for order today on Apple’s website for $249, with in-store availability commencing Thursday.
The Complete Beats Lineup
Beats Solo Buds
Beats Studio Buds+
Beats Fit Pro
Beats Pill
Beats Solo 4
Beats Studio Pro
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