Powerbeats Pro 2: Tested And Reviewed By An Actual Gym Buff

I tested the Powerbeats Pro 2 to see if they could keep up with my workouts, and they sure did. Here's my hands-on review and some photos.

Note: Prices were correct at the time of writing.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 - High-End Sound Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds

KEY TAKEAWAY:

Secure ear loop design keeps earbuds locked in place during jogging.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:

I just want to say up front, I actually preordered these and have only been using them for four days, so this is definitely a first impression. Normally I’d wait a while before talking about something new, but after seeing so many negative reviews, I just felt like I had to chime in. I really don’t get where all the one-star ratings are coming from. Sometimes I feel like tech has these weird fan clubs, kind of like that whole Apple vs Android thing, and people get so intense about it. I don’t know, I just don’t see it here.

UPGRADE DECISION:

For a bit of background, I was using the original Apple AirPod Pro before switching to these Powerbeats Pro 2. The first AirPod Pros were solid for a while, but then I ran into the dreaded crackling noise, which I guess is pretty common. Apple swapped them out for me under warranty, but the problem came back after my warranty ended, which was super frustrating. At that point, I had to decide if I wanted to just upgrade to AirPod Pro v2 or try something totally different. I ended up asking a friend at the gym about it, since he swears by his Powerbeats Pro. He actually upgraded from the first generation and is still raving about the new version, so that got me curious. I poked around online, saw the new model was available to preorder, and figured why not. I did notice the AirPod Pro v2 went on sale right then, but I was kind of over them at that point.

SECURE FIT:

One of the biggest reasons I wanted to switch was the fit. The AirPods were always falling out whenever I started moving around a lot, especially during workouts, and that just got old fast. The Powerbeats, on the other hand, have this ear loop that really makes a difference. I barely notice them when I’m wearing them, and they actually stay put the whole time, even if I’m jumping around or running.

SOUND PERFORMANCE:

As far as sound goes, they’re just as good or even a little better than my old AirPods when those were working right. Not surprising, since both are Apple products and probably share a lot of the same tech under the hood. No complaints at all with sound quality. Easy A plus here. Music and podcasts both sound great.

SMART FEATURES:

Now, I haven’t tried out every feature yet, since these are still brand new. They do have a heart monitor, which is neat, but I’m usually wearing my Apple Ultra Watch anyway, and from what I can tell, the watch takes over if you’re using both at the same time. Maybe someone else will use that more than me.

ALL-DAY COMFORT:

I’d give these an A plus plus. They’re comfortable, they don’t budge, and I can actually forget I’m wearing them sometimes.

BATTERY LIFE:

Another A plus. I’ve had no issues and haven’t had to worry about charging at all yet.

BOTTOM LINE:

So, I know this is a pretty early review, but I really wanted to put something positive out there, since I’ve been happy so far. If I run into anything new after a few more weeks, I’ll try to come back and update my thoughts. And if you’re still on the fence, maybe check out a few other reviews from the big tech sites, since a lot of them are saying good things too.

Buy it on Amazon today for: $249.95 with FREE returns