The PowerBeats Pro 2 are the latest wireless earbuds from Apple’s Beats lineup, arriving six years after the original model. With a long wait and high expectations, these earbuds introduce new features like better audio, wireless charging, active noise cancellation (ANC), and even a heart rate sensor. They’re lighter, more comfortable, and promise an enhanced experience—but despite all these upgrades, they still feel underwhelming in key areas.

Unique Design with Secure Ear Hooks

One standout feature of the PowerBeats Pro 2 is the ear hook design. While most wireless earbuds today rely on different-shaped tips, these hooks ensure a secure fit during intense activities like running, mountain biking, or even inverted aerial maneuvers.

Additionally, the physical controls on both earbuds allow you to adjust volume and switch between modes—a useful feature missing from many competitors. However, the hooks themselves aren’t adjustable; they simply rest over your ear, maintaining their fixed shape while providing comfortable wear.

The rubber tips that seal the ear canal are made of a harder rubber compared to AirPods Pro 2, which uses a softer material. This tougher rubber likely improves durability for fitness enthusiasts who expose their earbuds to sweat and movement. The box includes five ear tip sizes for a custom fit, ensuring comfort for various users.

Sound Quality – Bass-Heavy and Playful

When it comes to audio performance, the AirPods Pro 2 remain the gold standard for wireless earbud sound. While the PowerBeats Pro 2 don’t match that level, they deliver the classic Beats sound—strong bass and emphasized treble.

The audio profile leans toward a V-shaped curve rather than a flat studio sound, offering a fun, energetic listening experience. While audiophiles may prefer a more balanced sound, fans of bass-heavy music will likely enjoy this tuning.

The microphone quality is average—similar to the AirPods Pro 2—and performs well for calls but doesn’t particularly stand out in clarity or noise isolation.

Active Noise Cancellation – A Mixed Bag

The introduction of active noise cancellation (ANC) was highly anticipated by PowerBeats Pro fans, but the implementation falls short of expectations.

For constant background noise—such as a treadmill, air conditioner, or airplane cabin—the PowerBeats Pro 2 perform reasonably well, scoring about an 8 out of 10 compared to the AirPods Pro 2, which excel in this area.

However, random noises—like weights clanking in a gym or sudden bangs—are handled poorly. Given that the H2 chip powers both these earbuds and the AirPods Pro 2, it’s surprising that noise cancellation isn’t equally effective. For a fitness product aimed at users working out in noisy environments, this feels like a missed opportunity.

Heart Rate Sensor – Innovative but Inconvenient

A unique feature of the PowerBeats Pro 2 is the built-in optical heart rate sensor, located on the bottom of each earbud. The sensor uses a bright green light to measure your heart rate during exercise.

When compared to a Polar chest strap, the PowerBeats Pro 2 were accurate within 1–2 beats per minute (BPM)—impressive for an in-ear sensor.

However, accessing this feature is cumbersome. You must open a fitness app and navigate through several menus to view your heart rate, which feels inconvenient. This approach contrasts sharply with Apple’s usual user-friendly design, making the heart rate feature feel like an afterthought rather than an intuitive tool.

Additionally, monitoring your heart rate drains the battery significantly faster. In a two-hour test, heart rate tracking consumed noticeably more battery compared to regular audio playback.

Charging Case – Improved Design and Battery Life

The PowerBeats Pro 2 case is smaller and lighter than the previous model, but it’s still bulkier than the AirPods Pro case. It features USB-C charging and wireless charging, addressing a major complaint about the original PowerBeats Pro.

One significant improvement is the charging system—the strong magnets ensure the earbuds remain securely in place, even if you hold the case upside down. This fixes the finicky charging issues users experienced with the first generation.

Battery life is a standout feature. Each charge offers 10 hours of continuous playback, with the case providing an additional 45 hours—a significant advantage over many competing earbuds.

The Downsides – ANC, Heart Rate Sensor, and Price

While the PowerBeats Pro 2 bring several new features, they come with notable drawbacks:

1. Weak ANC Performance: While it handles steady noises adequately, it struggles with sudden environmental sounds, falling behind AirPods Pro 2 despite sharing the same H2 chip.
2. Limited Heart Rate Usefulness: The heart rate sensor is accurate but inconvenient to access and drains the battery more quickly during use.
3. High Price Point: At $250 USD, the PowerBeats Pro 2 are expensive, especially when cheaper fitness-focused earbuds offer comparable (or better) performance for $100 less.

Is the PowerBeats Pro 2 Worth It?

The PowerBeats Pro 2 deliver secure fit, good battery life, and bass-heavy sound—ideal for fitness enthusiasts who prioritize these features.

However, the underwhelming ANC, frustrating heart rate sensor, and steep price make them hard to recommend over alternatives.

Unless you specifically need ear hooks or value Apple’s ecosystem, there are more affordable and capable wireless earbuds available in 2025.

For most users, the PowerBeats Pro 2 fail to justify their premium cost, making them a disappointing sequel after a six-year wait.