Beats Powerbeats Pro Powerbeats Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 nail the workout earbud formula with a super secure fit, great ANC, and marathon battery life. Sound quality is just okay though, so don't expect audiophile-grade audio for the money. The starting price has jumped, making the value harder to swallow. If you need ear-hooks that won't budge and a built-in heart rate monitor, they're a solid pick; if pure music enjoyment is your goal, look elsewhere.

Our database shows the ANC lands in the 97th percentile, which means it's genuinely best-in-class and does a solid job blocking out gym noise. Comfort is also top-tier, and the battery life easily stretches through a week of workouts. The microphones pick up voice clearly, too. On the flip side, the sound quality is merely average at the 70th percentile, and our music score of 56.9 out of 100 tells the real story. Multiple owners report tinny highs and weak bass that sap the energy from their tracks, especially for the price. Build quality is fine but not exceptional, and the charging case feels bulky and cheap compared to the slick cases from Sony or Samsung.

Next to heavyweights like the Sony WF-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, or Apple AirPods Pro, the Powerbeats Pro 2 stand out only for their earhook design and heart rate tracking. Those competitors deliver richer, more detailed sound and stronger all-around ANC, plus they pack into sleeker cases. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 is the audiophile's pick, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer deep Android integration. If fitness is your sole focus, the Powerbeats win on fit. For everything else, there are better-sounding options.

Pricing now starts around $162 and climbs to $350. At the lower end, that's still a fair deal for the ANC, fit, and battery, but the floor has risen enough that you're not getting the steal you once could. At $350, you're paying a premium for the heart rate monitor and brand name, while the sound quality simply doesn't match similarly priced earbuds. Shop around, Best Buy often has deals and price matching, and don't pay sticker price if you can avoid it.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are built for one thing: staying in your ears no matter how hard you train. Beats leaned into the athlete vibe with flexible earhooks, an IPX4 sweat resistance rating, and a built-in heart rate monitor, something you won't find on most true wireless earbuds. After 1,500 hours of athlete testing, the fit is genuinely locked-in, and the H2 chip keeps things humming efficiently for up to 45 hours with the case. But once you get past the workout credentials, the audio doesn't quite keep pace.

Buyers upgrading from the original Powerbeats Pro will notice the new ANC and transparency modes work well, and the design is lighter and more comfortable for all-day wear. However, the sound signature hasn't evolved much, and that's where things get messy for a product that can run upwards of $350. If you're sweating it out at the gym, these are stellar. If you're kicking back to enjoy a playlist, you might be left wanting.

If you care more about sound quality than a secure fit, or if you hate bulky cases, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will disappoint. Audiophiles should grab the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, and anyone seeking top-tier ANC should look at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. Also, Android users may find the HR monitor integration too limited to be useful.

Buy these if you live in the gym. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the best workout earbuds for anyone who's ever had a bud pop out mid-lift. The secure fit, solid ANC, and marathon battery are real assets. Just don't expect them to replace your go-to music earbuds; they're tools for training, not critical listening. With the entry price creeping up, the value equation is tighter than before.