Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2—Is It Time to Upgrade to Beats?

The new vs the old, the Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2, which comes out on top? Beats by Dr. Dre has been an iconic brand for years in its own right, and while it lost some of its popularity in the years since Apple took over in 2014, Beats still remains an exceptional brand to consider in terms of its audio devices. 

The newly released Powerbeats Pro 2 has a few unique features that make it one of the best earbuds for athletes in 2025, however, leaving the AirPods Pro 2 behind is something of a challenge for a loyal customer. If you’re considering investing in the newly launched earbuds from Beats, here is a Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods sound quality showdown where we look at the factors that might affect your decision to invest in either one. 

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2—Which Is Better?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 was just launched on February 11, 2025, while the AirPods Pro 2 has been around for a while since September 23, 2022, and was refreshed in September 2023. The tried and tested AirPods appear to be a more reliable investment at first glance. 

The two earbuds are also priced the same at $250 USD, however, the AirPods Pro 2 can be found on sale at a lower price. Still, this means that the difference between the Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 largely comes down to features and performance, which is the best way to determine which one to buy. 

Design First—Comparing the Details of the Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 have clung on in desperation to their familiar design aesthetic and are only available in white, with the small size, the stick extension from the earbud, and its compact and unassuming charging case. If you prefer something discrete but still iconic in its branding, the AirPods Pro 2 would be a better buy for you, especially if you don’t face issues with earbuds falling out when you’re going about your day.

The design of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is a lot more pleasing in terms of color options and it is just as functional, but its over-the-ear hook design may not be for everyone. These earbuds come with 5 ear tips to give you the best fit and they stay secured over your ear, drastically eliminating the chances of them falling out. This makes it one of the best earbuds for athletes to buy in 2025, as they stay on regardless of how vigorous your workout is. 

Popular reviewer Marques Brownlee pointed out that the Powerbeats Pro 2 are much better while going on flights because you don’t have to worry about dropping them between the seats by mistake and struggling with clumsy maneuvers to get it back. We have to agree, this is a really good reason for picking the Powerbeats Pro 2 because getting down to retrieve your earbuds can be quite a humbling experience.

Buttons and Sensors—Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 does not have physical buttons but its sensor controls are extremely responsive and provide tactile feedback to confirm use. You can also use voice commands to power it so you won’t really miss out on the button experience if that is not a priority to you.

The Powerbeats Pro 2’s unique features also include its two physical control buttons on each earphone that allow you to adjust volume and assign a function, like turning the ANC mode on and off. This can be very useful in the middle of your workout when you don’t have to worry about your sweaty fingers messing up the sensors.

Specs Next—Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2

The same Apple H2 chip powers both the Powerbeats Pro 2 and the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods come with an IP54 rating that brings with them an additional promise of durability compared to the Powerbeats Pro 2’s IPX4 rating, but Beats was quick to state that you will be able to use these earbuds for rigorous activities, across climate conditions without fear.

Apple earphones are adept at switching between connected devices but multipoint connectivity is not a prioritized feature on the Powerbeats Pro 2. One area where the AirPods Pro 2 fails miserably is catering to non-iOS users, which is something you can expect from the Powerbeats Pro 2. If you use both iOS and Android devices or intend to share the earbuds with a significant other who does, then the Powerbeats Pro 2 is best suited for your needs.

Features like Find My, which Apple users make the most of, are also available for both devices, along with audio sharing for Apple devices. 

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2 Sound Quality

Neither earbuds compromise on sound quality, with the Powerbeats Pro 2 providing a more bass-heavy sound profile than its competitor. It isn’t so extreme as to drown out other sounds, which is good to see. For workouts that pair well with upbeat music, these are a perfect companion. 

The Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode are good and necessary upgrades in the Powerbeats Pro 2, but it still does not come close to the AirPods Pro’s performance. The Powerbeats Pro 2’s voice accelerometer and three advanced microphones are identical to those on the AirPod Pro 2 so in terms of call quality, the two are quite evenly matched.

The Apple H2 chip promises personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking as well, and the Adaptive EQ capability further adds a level of customization to the earbuds. Both features are available on both devices. 

Both the AirPods Pro 2 and Powerbeats Pro 2 Sport Unique Features

The AirPods Pro 2’s ability to double as hearing aids is one of the best features we’ve seen on any everyday earbuds, but the capability is admittedly useful to a very specific group of people. The Powerbeats Pro 2 does not have this feature, but what it does instead is collect heart rate data that can be viewed on some compatible apps and even gym equipment. 

Using technology from the Apple Watch, the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds collect heart rate data every five seconds and send them to the list of compatible apps that record that data. If you have a smartwatch or a smart ring, you’re better off using those as measuring tools for such information, however, it doesn’t hurt to have a support tracker for specific situations. 

Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2 Battery Life—Wireless Charging Anyone?

The AirPods Pro 2 provides 6 hours of use with 30 hours of additional support using the charging case. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is a much better investment in terms of battery, with 10 hours on the earbud and 45 hours of support with the charging case. The Fast-Fuel charging capabilities give the AirPods Pro 2 an hour of charge in 5 minutes, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 offers 90 minutes of use on a 5-minute charge. Both offer wireless charging capabilities as well.

If battery life is a priority for you then the Powerbeats Pro 2 is a good option, but the AirPods Pro 2 fare just fine as well, if you want to stay within the “internal” Apple ecosystem.

Final Thoughts on the Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2 Showdown

If you want the best wireless earbuds for your workouts and active lifestyle, it makes a lot of sense to invest in the Powerbeats Pro 2. They last longer, have all of the sound quality upgrades you could need, and most importantly, they stay on more easily—even if the ear hook can take some getting used to.

If you want something for your Apple devices that you intend to use for long hours, the AirPods Pro 2 makes sense as they put less of a strain on and around your ears. We won’t go so far as to call them cheap, but if you spot a good sale right now, you can get them for cheaper than the Powerbeats Pro 2. 

Ultimately, in terms of sound quality and Apple-centric convenience, the AirPods Pro 2 remains the superior option, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the best earbuds for athletes to consider in 2025. What do you think?

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