Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

New Features of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

• The H2 chip, which enhances sound quality and battery life.
• A built-in heart rate monitor that measures your pulse even without a fitness watch.
• Personalized 3D Audio that creates a custom listening profile based on your ear shape.
• Improved active noise cancellation for a quieter workout environment (ideal for the gym).
• A charging case that supports wireless charging.
• Shorter, more ergonomic ear hooks made flexible with a nickel-titanium wire.
• Five silicone tip sizes for an optimal fit.

Design

The design has been completely overhauled. Overall, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are more compact and less angular than their predecessors. They are initially available in four colors: Hyper Violet, Treibsand (Beige), Diamond Black, and Luminous Orange – with more colors potentially coming later, although the classic Beats Red is currently missing.

Weighing only 8.7 grams per earbud, they maintain comfortable wear for hours on end, especially as the ear hooks help alleviate pressure on your ears. The ear hooks now feature a wire made from a titanium-nickel alloy to ensure both stability and flexibility.

For an optimal fit, the manufacturer now includes silicone inserts in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL), allowing for a more precise seal in your ears, which significantly enhances both stability and acoustics. Additionally, the charging case is available in the matching color and remains impressively large – albeit smaller than that of the predecessor, mainly due to the space required by the ear hooks. Beats makes excellent use of this extra space by increasing the integrated battery capacity and introducing two new charging standards, USB-C and wireless Qi charging, while phasing out Lightning. The Powerbeats Pro 2 continue to be IPX4 certified.

Controls

Beats has made only minor changes to the control elements. Instead of a conventional button, you now press an enlarged “b” button that seamlessly integrates into the housing. This button controls music playback and activates noise cancellation (ANC) when held down. In the iPhone settings or via the Beats app on Android devices, you can customize this button—for instance, to assign it to Siri (iOS only). It’s not uncommon to accidentally start playback when putting the earbuds on.

On the top of both earbuds, a physical volume slider allows you to easily adjust the audio level. Because these are physical buttons and not touch-sensitive surfaces, they function reliably even with wet or sweaty hands. Alternatively, you can use “Hey Siri” voice commands to switch audio content, have Siri dictate or read messages, control smart home devices, or set timers.

Hardware and Performance

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are now equipped with Apple’s latest audio processor: the H2 chip. This chip optimizes the sound and improves efficiency for extended battery life. It also plays a key role in enhancing active noise cancellation (ANC) and optimizing call quality.

However, Beats limits the H2 chip’s potential by supporting only the AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, making newer, lossless formats nearly unattainable. (Almost – when used in conjunction with Apple’s €4,000 mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, that promise is eventually fulfilled. Why this isn’t possible with current iPhone models remains unclear.)

Battery Life

Thanks to the H2 chip, the overall experience of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, including battery life, has improved. According to Beats, with active noise cancellation disabled, you can listen for roughly one hour longer than with the previous model. Although we couldn’t verify this due to a lack of older Powerbeats Pro units, the improved efficiency of the chip makes this plausible.

Even with ANC enabled, our tests showed approximately 10% battery consumption per hour at medium volume—so theoretically, you could reach close to the stated normal operating time of about 10 hours. The charging case is particularly impressive: its quick-charge function promises 1.5 hours of playback after just 5 minutes of charging. Moreover, the case now uses USB-C (instead of Lightning) to comply with EU regulations and supports wireless Qi charging, though Beats currently uses only the first generation of Qi, requiring precise placement. At nearly €300, this can be frustrating. Fortunately, the case doesn’t need frequent recharging, as Beats promises a total battery life of 45 hours (or 36 hours with ANC or Transparency mode enabled).

Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode

When it comes to active noise cancellation (ANC) and Transparency mode, the new features are impressive. Beats’ collaboration with its parent company has resulted in performance nearly identical to the AirPods Pro 2 in both areas. The ANC effectively filters out ambient noise—making train rides or gym workouts quieter—while the Transparency mode delivers a natural representation of your surroundings, so natural that you might have to check if you’re still wearing the earbuds when no music is playing.

However, the performance is “almost” identical, as Beats does not include the adaptive Transparency mode (which reduces only loud ambient noise) or features like conversation detection that automatically disable ANC during a conversation.

Sound

The sound of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is clearly inspired by the AirPods Pro. These compact sound marvels employ specially developed dual-membrane drivers that ensure increased flexibility for optimal acoustic tuning. As a result, sound reproduction is exceptionally clear with minimized distortion. The midrange and highs remain consistently crisp, providing a balanced listening experience. Although the bass may not be as powerful as that of over-ear models, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 still deliver robust low frequencies that add pleasing depth to the overall sound. This combination of clear mids, precise highs, and solid bass makes them an excellent choice for music enthusiasts who want a top-notch listening experience during sports.

Pulse Measurement

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are not only Beats’ flagship sports earbuds but also Apple’s first headphones to include pulse monitoring. This standout feature is based on the same technology used in the Apple Watch. Notably, in-ear pulse measurement is considered more accurate than wrist-based tracking due to fewer fluctuations in blood flow at the ear. However, to activate this feature, you must use either Apple’s Fitness app or a third-party app such as Nike Run Club, Peloton, or Strava. Additionally, Apple Watch users should note that the iPhone tends to prioritize the watch’s pulse readings.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and Android

While the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are compatible with Android devices, they perform best when paired with an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad, as this is when they unlock their full feature set. Using the Beats app on Android, you can make basic adjustments, locate your earbuds, update firmware, or even pair them with a single tap. However, features such as 3D audio, advanced voice assistant support, and audio sharing are absent. This is an improvement over the AirPods Pro 2 but still leaves room for enhancement. There are few alternatives in the sports headphone market that offer superior sound quality.

Conclusion

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are the ideal choice for athletes who refuse to compromise on sound quality. With improved features such as the H2 chip, active noise cancellation, and an integrated pulse monitor, they offer an impressive overall package. Despite their high price and slightly cumbersome initial placement, they excel with long battery life and a stable, secure fit.

If you’re looking for high-performance in-ear headphones that meet the rigorous demands of sports while delivering exceptional sound, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are sure to satisfy.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

1. What distinguishes the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 from their predecessors?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are more compact and less angular than previous models. They are available in four colors – Hyper Violet, Treibsand (Beige), Diamond Black, and Luminous Orange – and feature a modern design with a low weight of 8.7 g per earbud and ear hooks constructed with titanium-nickel wire for stability and flexibility.

2. How comfortable are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 to wear?

Their ergonomic hook design ensures a secure fit that doesn’t slip during fast movements. Additionally, the inclusion of silicone tips in five sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) provides a custom seal that enhances both stability and sound quality, making them comfortable even during extended use.

3. How do you operate the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

Instead of a traditional button, they feature an enlarged “b” button integrated into the housing, which controls music playback and toggles noise cancellation (ANC) when held down. A physical volume slider on the top of each earbud allows for easy volume adjustments, even with wet or sweaty hands. The button assignments can be customized via iPhone settings or the Beats app on Android.

4. What hardware improvements do the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer?

They are equipped with Apple’s latest H2 chip, which enhances sound quality, boosts efficiency for longer battery life, and improves active noise cancellation and call quality. However, they still only support AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs, limiting access to newer, lossless formats.

5. What is the battery life like, and what features does the charging case offer?

Without ANC enabled, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can last about one hour longer than their predecessor. At medium volume with ANC active, battery consumption is around 10% per hour, theoretically nearing a 10-hour runtime. The charging case features a quick-charge function that provides 1.5 hours of playback after just 5 minutes of charging, uses USB-C (instead of Lightning), and supports wireless Qi charging, although only the first Qi generation is currently supported. Overall, Beats promises a total battery life of 45 hours (or 36 hours with ANC or Transparency mode).

6. How effective are the noise cancelling and transparency modes?

The new ANC and transparency modes offer performance nearly identical to that of the AirPods Pro 2. ANC effectively filters out ambient noise, making commuting or gym sessions quieter, while the transparency mode delivers a natural sound of the surroundings. However, an adaptive transparency mode and automatic conversation detection (which disables ANC during calls) are not available.

7. How does the sound quality of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 compare?

Their sound is clearly modeled after the AirPods Pro, featuring specially developed dual-membrane drivers that deliver clear, distortion-free audio. The midrange and highs remain balanced and detailed, while the bass, though strong for in-ear headphones, is less pronounced than that of over-ear models. Integrated 3D audio enhances the immersive experience by accurately positioning instruments.

8. What unique feature does the built-in pulse monitor offer?

They are the first Beats (and Apple) headphones with an in-ear pulse monitor, using technology similar to that found in the Apple Watch. This method is more accurate than wrist-based measurements due to fewer external influences on blood flow. However, to use this feature, you must rely on Apple’s Fitness app or a third-party app like Nike Run Club, Peloton, or Strava.

9. How well do the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 work with Android devices?

While they are compatible with Android, they perform best when paired with Apple devices. The Beats app on Android allows for basic adjustments, but features such as 3D audio, advanced voice assistant support, and audio sharing are missing compared to their full functionality on iOS.

10. Who are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 best suited for?

They are ideal for athletes and active users who demand uncompromising sound quality. With enhanced features like the H2 chip, effective ANC, and an integrated pulse monitor, they offer a robust overall package—especially for users predominantly in the Apple ecosystem.