Apple Fit Pro

The Beats Fit Pro nails the workout and commute use case with excellent ANC at the 97th percentile and a secure wingtip design that actually stays put. The Apple H1 chip brings seamless integration for both Apple and Android users. But sound quality is mediocre at the 29th percentile, which is a real letdown at $170 USD. Buy these for fitness and commuting, not for critical music listening.

The ANC is the star of the show. At the 97th percentile, it's up there with the best noise cancelling earbuds on the market right now. The dual-element diaphragm driver inside a two-chamber housing does solid work keeping outside noise at bay, and the advanced digital processor keeps the cancellation clean without that weird pressure feeling some buds give you. For commutes, this is a genuine strength. Our commute score of 61.3 out of 100 reflects that, and it's the highest use-case score these earbuds get.

But here's the thing. The sound quality is where these stumble. At the 29th percentile, the audio performance is mediocre at best. The sound is described as powerful and balanced, and for most people it'll be fine. But if you're picky about audio, you'll notice the lack of detail and refinement compared to competitors like the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The travel score of 57 and calls score of 55.3 are solid but not spectacular. Battery life is 6 hours on the buds and 24 total with the case, which lands at the 71st percentile. That's fine, but not class-leading. The 5-minute quick charge is handy when you're rushing out the door.

The Sony WF-1000XM6 is the obvious comparison. Sony's flagship typically delivers better sound quality and more refined ANC, but you'll pay more for it. The Beats Fit Pro counters with a more secure fit for workouts and tighter Apple integration. If you're an iPhone user who exercises regularly, the Beats might actually be the better choice despite the sound quality gap. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is another strong alternative, especially for comfort and ANC, but again at a higher price point.

On the budget end, the Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro 4+ offer surprisingly good feature sets for much less money. You'll sacrifice some ANC performance and the Apple H1 chip benefits, but if you're on a tight budget, those are worth considering. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is probably the most direct competitor in terms of price and features, with better sound quality but a less secure fit for workouts. It really comes down to whether the wingtip design and Apple integration matter more to you than audio fidelity.

At $170 USD, the Beats Fit Pro sits in a competitive spot. You're paying a premium over budget options like the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro 4+, but you're also well below the $250+ territory of the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The question is whether the ANC and fit justify the price when the sound quality is this average.

Honestly, it depends on what you value. If you're buying these for workouts and commutes, the secure fit and excellent ANC make the price feel reasonable. You're getting Apple ecosystem integration without paying AirPods Pro prices. But if sound quality is your top priority, you can do better for the same money or less. The Technics EAH-AZ100, for example, is a strong competitor in this range with better audio performance. The value proposition here is really about the combination of fit, ANC, and ecosystem features, not raw audio quality.

The Beats Fit Pro is one of those products that makes you realize how far true wireless earbuds have come. You get Apple's H1 chip, active noise cancelling, spatial audio with head tracking, and a secure wingtip design that actually stays put during workouts. At $170 USD, it sits in that interesting middle ground between budget buds and flagship territory. And with over 11,000 customer reviews averaging 4.4 stars, people clearly have opinions about these things.

Who's this for? If you want AirPods Pro features but hate the way AirPods fall out of your ears, this is basically your answer. The flexible wingtips are the headline feature here. Beats tested them on athletes of all kinds, and the design shows. You get three silicone tip sizes plus a fit test in the app for both Apple and Android. That's a nice touch, especially since most earbuds in this price range treat Android users as an afterthought.

The interesting tension here is that these are great at some things and surprisingly mediocre at others. Our database puts the ANC at the 97th percentile, which is genuinely excellent. But the sound quality sits at just the 29th percentile. That's a weird gap, and it tells you a lot about what Beats prioritized here. These are workout and commute earbuds first, audiophile gear second.

If you're an audiophile or someone who really cares about sound quality, skip these. The 29th percentile sound performance means you're paying $170 for ANC and fit, not audio fidelity. Look at the Sony WF-1000XM6 or Technics EAH-AZ100 instead, both of which deliver noticeably better sound for similar or slightly more money. You'll sacrifice some workout security, but your ears will thank you.

Also skip these if you have smaller ears or are sensitive to in-ear pressure. The wingtip design, while secure, isn't comfortable for everyone. Multiple owners report pain after 30 minutes of wear, and that's not something you can fix with a different tip size. If comfort is your priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra is a better bet, though you'll pay more for it.

If you're an active person who wants earbuds that won't fall out during a run or gym session, the Beats Fit Pro is an easy recommendation. The wingtip design is genuinely effective, the ANC is excellent, and the Apple H1 chip makes pairing and switching between devices painless. The IPX4 rating means you don't have to baby them when you're sweating. For commuters who also work out, these hit a sweet spot that few competitors match.

But if you're primarily buying earbuds for music listening at home or in quiet environments, look elsewhere. The sound quality is the weak link here, and there are better options at this price point for pure audio enjoyment. The Sony WF-1000XM6 or Technics EAH-AZ100 will give you noticeably better sound, though you'll trade away some of the workout-friendly design. The Beats Fit Pro is a specialist, not an all-rounder. Know what you're buying it for.