Powerbeats Pro 2 review

About the Powerbeats Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 use an over-ear hook to hold each bud in place. Each earbud weighs 8.7 g and measures 4.5 cm high, 4.1 cm long and 2.4 cm wide. They run on Apple's H2 chip and use Class 1 Bluetooth. Each bud has three microphones and a voice accelerometer, the same set Beats says is in the AirPods Pro 2.

Adaptive active noise cancelling and a transparency mode are built in. The heart rate sensors sit in the buds, work in real time and can be switched off. On iPhone they feed the Fitness app, which supports up to 50 workout types. On Android the Beats app handles heart rate, and John Lewis's listing says sessions have to be started manually there.

Battery is up to 10 hours per bud and up to 45 hours with the case. A 5-minute Fast Fuel charge gives up to 1.5 hours of playback. The case charges over USB-C or on a Qi wireless pad, and weighs 69 g. The power adapter and cable are sold separately. In the box are five sizes of silicone ear tips (XS to XL, with M fitted), the case, a Quick Start Guide and a warranty card.

What owners report about the Powerbeats Pro 2

Owners most often praise the fit. The earhooks keep the buds steady through running and weights, and a few say they only need the odd nudge. Some find them comfortable for long sessions, and a few mention that battery life holds up well. Several say sound improves once they find an ear tip that seals properly, and some credit firmware updates for better sound.

The complaints are about sound and noise cancelling. A number of owners find the tuning thin or harsh, and a few say it has less bass than AirPods Pro 2. Several say the ANC does little to block outside noise. Some report ear fatigue or tips that will not stay seated, and glasses wearers say the arms break the seal. A few find the heart rate feature awkward and of limited use.

Owner feedback available for this model is thin on long-term durability, so there is no clear pattern yet on how the case or battery age. Most of the discussion found comes from Reddit threads gathered by a roundup site, plus the retailer listing.

Who the Powerbeats Pro 2 suits

These suit people who run or train and have lost buds mid-session with other designs. The hooks, the sweat-resistant buds, the long battery and the heart rate sensing are the reasons to buy. They work on both iPhone and Android, though Find My, hands-free Siri and the Fitness app integration need an iPhone.

Look elsewhere if sound and noise cancelling come first. Owners are split on tuning and often find the ANC modest, so the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) are the better fit for commuting. The case is big for a pocket, and the case itself is not sweat or water resistant. Glasses wearers may struggle with the seal. iPhone users who want an all-rounder rather than a sport pair should look at the Apple AirPods Pro 3.

Questions about the Powerbeats Pro 2