Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: Which premium Apple earbuds are best?

Apple’s audio lineup has expanded with the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2 joining the AirPods Pro 2 in the premium wireless earbud space. Both boast the same H2 chip, active noise cancelation, and a host of premium features but serve different needs with distinct designs. If you’re deciding between these two Apple-owned audio products, our comparison breaks down everything from fit and sound quality to workout performance.

Editor’s note: this article was published on February 26, 2025, and is the first version of the article. Updates will follow as the market changes.

What’s it like to use the Powerbeats Pro 2 compared to the AirPods Pro 2?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 ave two fairly different approaches to earbud design. The Powerbeats Pro 2 features ear hooks that wrap behind your outer ear, ensuring they stay firmly in place during intense workouts. While this provides excellent stability, the hooks can create some pressure behind the ears during extended wear. In contrast, the AirPods Pro 2 uses a stemmed in-ear design without hooks, relying on silicone ear tips to create a secure fit.

Both earbuds offer multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a proper seal. The Powerbeats Pro 2 come with five different silicone ear tip sizes (XS to XL), while the AirPods Pro 2 include four sizes (XS to L). Both provide an ear tip fit test through iOS settings or their respective apps to help you find the perfect fit.

The charging cases also differ significantly. The Powerbeats Pro 2 case, while smaller than its predecessor, remains substantially larger than the AirPods Pro 2 case—roughly twice the size of two AirPods 4 cases combined. The AirPods Pro 2 case is much more pocket-friendly. Both earbuds feature IPX4 water resistance, making them splash-proof but not suitable for swimming or submersion. The AirPods Pro 2 case is also IP54-rated, offering protection against both water splashes and dust.

Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 2 have more features?

Both earbuds leverage Apple’s ecosystem with the H2 chip, offering seamless integration with iOS devices, including one-touch pairing, automatic switching between devices, and “Hey Siri” functionality. However, there are some notable differences in their feature sets.

The Powerbeats Pro 2’s standout feature is its heart-rate monitoring. Using optical sensors that pulse green LED light over 100 times per second, they can track your heart rate during workouts. This functionality can be paired with third-party fitness apps and equipment for real-time monitoring, though it’s important to note that the earbuds only track heart rate during workouts, not continuously throughout the day.

The AirPods Pro 2 lacks heart-rate monitoring but offers more advanced spatial audio capabilities, as they are primarily designed for music listening and not exercise. They include personalized spatial audio that uses your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to create a custom sound profile based on your head and ear shape. The AirPods Pro 2 can also function as a clinical-grade hearing aid for those with mild to moderate hearing loss, following a recent iOS 18 update.

Both earbuds offer active noise cancelation and transparency modes, though they implement these features slightly differently. The AirPods Pro 2 include an Adaptive Transparency mode that minimizes the intensity of unpredictable loud sounds like sirens, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a standard transparency mode.

For Android users, the Beats app provides access to most features of the Powerbeats Pro 2, whereas the AirPods Pro 2 loses much of its functionality when used with non-Apple devices.

How do the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 connect?

Both earbuds feature Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and Apple’s H2 chip, which enables instant pairing with iOS devices and automatic switching between Apple devices linked to the same iCloud account. The chip also enables features like Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri, and Find My integration.

In terms of codec support, both the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 support SBC and AAC, with no support for higher-resolution codecs like aptX or LDAC. This is suitable for iOS users since AAC performs consistently well on Apple devices, but Android users may experience variable AAC performance.

Neither earbud officially supports Bluetooth Multipoint for connecting to multiple non-Apple devices simultaneously. However, the AirPods Pro 2 can automatically switch between Apple devices, which provides a similar experience within the Apple ecosystem.

One notable limitation of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is that to pair with a new device; you must disconnect and forget the earbuds from your Apple account first. This creates friction when trying to use them across multiple platforms or when trying to connect the heart-rate monitor to fitness equipment while listening to music from your phone.

Is battery life better on the Powerbeats Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 2?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 significantly outperforms the AirPods Pro 2 in battery life. With noise cancelation disabled, they offer up to 10 hours of listening time on a single charge, and the case provides an additional 35 hours, for a total of 45 hours. Even with ANC enabled, they deliver impressive battery performance.

In contrast, the AirPods Pro 2 provide approximately 5 hours and 43 minutes of listening time with ANC enabled (slightly below Apple’s 6-hour claim). The AirPods Pro 2 case adds an extra 24 hours of listening time or 19.5 hours of talk time.

Both earbuds support fast charging, with the AirPods Pro 2 providing about 60 minutes of playback from a 5-minute charge. Both charging cases also support wireless charging via Qi, MagSafe, or Apple Watch chargers. The Powerbeats Pro 2 case uses USB-C for wired charging, as does the current version of the AirPods Pro 2 (though early models used Lightning).

Both earbuds implement battery optimization features that learn your usage patterns and delay charging to 100% until just before you typically use them, helping to extend the overall lifespan of the batteries.

Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 2 block noise better?

Noise canceling performance between both earbuds is nearly the same. Our testing shows that the Powerbeats Pro 2 reduces external noise by an average of 83%, which is the same as the AirPods Pro 2 and comparable to top-tier noise canceling earbuds on the market.

Both earbuds require a proper seal with correctly sized ear tips to achieve optimal noise isolation and cancellation. While everyone’s ears are different, the Powerbeats Pro 2’s ear hooks provide additional stability that can help maintain this seal during movement, potentially giving them an edge during workouts.

Both earbuds also offer transparency modes to let in ambient sound when needed. Apple has historically delivered excellent transparency modes, and both implement this feature well. The AirPods Pro 2’s Adaptive Transparency mode provides the additional benefit of reducing sudden loud noises while still allowing you to hear your surroundings.

Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 sound better than the AirPods Pro 2?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 have an energetic sound profile with amplified bass and treble that works well for workout motivation, while the AirPods Pro 2 aim for a more balanced sound with a slight bass boost.

Our testing shows that the Powerbeats Pro 2 sound better with ANC enabled than disabled, with a notable difference in the lower-mid frequencies when ANC is turned off. Both earbuds use Apple’s Adaptive EQ technology to adjust the sound based on how they fit in your ears, though neither offers a customizable equalizer without third-party apps.

One notable limitation of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is its lack of upper treble, which gives it a darker tone overall. This may be preferable for runners and athletes who want to focus on the bassline and beat, but it means some musical details in the highest frequencies may be less apparent.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

Looking at the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores, both earbuds perform admirably. The AirPods Pro 2 achieve an Overall Score of 4.8 out of 5, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 score 4.6 with ANC enabled (dropping to 3.8 with ANC disabled).

The AirPods Pro 2 excels in distortion management, scoring 4.7 compared to the Powerbeats Pro 2’s 3.7. Both earbuds score identically on Timbre (4.8) with ANC enabled and similarly on Immersiveness.

Objective Measurements

Our frequency response measurements reveal that the Powerbeats Pro 2 emphasizes sub-bass and treble more than the AirPods Pro 2, creating a more V-shaped sound signature ideal for workout motivation. Both earbuds show an under-emphasis in the highest frequencies above 8kHz, though this is more pronounced in the Powerbeats Pro 2.

The AirPods Pro 2 follows our headphone preference curve more closely through the bass and mids, deviating significantly only above 8kHz. This results in a more balanced sound profile overall, though still with enough bass presence to satisfy most listeners.

Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 2 have a better microphone?

Both earbuds feature capable microphone arrays for calls but with different strengths and weaknesses. The AirPods Pro 2 microphones perform well in ideal conditions but struggle more with background noise rejection. When trying to filter out unpredictable background sounds, voices can sometimes drop out completely with the AirPods Pro 2.

The Powerbeats Pro 2’s microphone processing is handled on the paired iOS device, so they work best when connected to an iPhone or other Apple device. They appear to handle office environments reasonably well but struggle significantly in windy conditions.

Neither earbud offers exceptional microphone performance in challenging environments, but both are adequate for casual calls in relatively quiet settings. If call quality is a priority, you might want to consider over-ear headphones with better microphone arrays.

Powerbeats Pro 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods Pro 2 microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Powerbeats Pro 2 microphone demo (COMPARISON conditions):

AirPods Pro 2 microphone demo (COMPARISON conditions):

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: Price and availability

The Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249.99, which puts them in the premium earbuds price bracket.

The AirPods Pro 2 have been on the market since September 2022, with a USB-C version replacing the original Lightning port version in 2023. They’re widely available through Apple Stores, authorized retailers, and online marketplaces, occasionally with modest discounts during sales events.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the newer product, released in February 2025. As a recent release, they’re less likely to be discounted, but availability should be good through Apple’s retail channels and authorized dealers.

Should you get the Powerbeats Pro 2 or AirPods Pro 2?

Your choice between the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 should be guided primarily by your intended use case and preferences regarding fit and battery life.

Both earbuds work best within Apple’s ecosystem, offering some of the best active noise cancelation, seamless pairing, automatic device switching, and integration with iOS features. Neither is ideal for Android users, though the Powerbeats Pro 2 offers better cross-platform compatibility through the Beats app.

For most Apple users seeking workout earbuds, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is a great choice due to its secure fit, heart-rate monitoring, and excellent battery life. However, for simple everyday listening and commuting, the AirPods Pro 2 is the better overall choice, offering plenty of high-end features for people with an iPhone. Still, they aren’t the only options in town.

Alternatives to consider instead

If you want Beats but don’t need a heart-rate monitor, consider the more affordable Beats Fit Pro ($159 at Amazon). These earbuds are a few years older and use the previous-generation H1 chip instead of the H2, but they perform similarly to the Powerbeats Pro 2 in terms of sound quality and noise cancelation while offering a more compact design with stabilizing wing tips.

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 ($298 at Amazon) offers stellar noise cancelation, a comfortable fit, durable build quality, and an OS-agnostic mobile app. Though slightly more expensive than the AirPods Pro 2, they frequently go on sale. For a more budget-friendly option that works seamlessly with both iOS and Android, consider the Beats Studio Buds Plus ($169 at Amazon). These translucent earbuds offer good ANC and microphone quality, plus Android users can access Google’s Find My Device app for location tracking.

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