Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

The best workout earbuds on the planet, with ANC that rivals Sony and a fit that laughs at burpees. If you don't exercise regularly, these are overkill and average-sounding overpriced. User sentiment is now solid at 82 out of 100, with early connection complaints mostly quieting down.

We expected good ANC based on the 97th percentile ranking, and it delivers. The adaptive noise canceling is right up there with Sony and Bose, drowning out gym clatter or airplane drone. What surprised us was the battery endurance. Ten hours on a charge is brutal for true wireless earbuds, and the case adds another 35 hours. Sound quality sits at the 85th percentile. It's a V-shaped, workout-friendly tune with punchy bass, but don't expect the detail or refinement of audiophile buds. Call performance is solid, and the transparency mode lets in just enough ambient noise for outdoor safety. The heart rate sensor is surprisingly accurate for steady-state efforts, though it can lag during explosive intervals. The elephant in the room is the 31st percentile user sentiment. A 4.4-star average looks fine, but that low ranking tells us some owners are hitting persistent connection glitches or long-term comfort issues.

Stacked against the Sony WF-1000XM6, the Powerbeats Pro 2 win on workout security and battery but lose on pure sound detail and noise canceling refinement. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are more comfortable for all-day wear, but they lack the earhook confidence for intense movement. The Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro and Apple AirPods Pro bring smarter transparency modes and tighter ecosystem tricks, yet neither offers the same grab-the-earband stability. If you're a runner, crossfitter, or cyclist, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the obvious pick. For desk listening or commuting, pick any of the others.

Pricing now starts at $164 for a renewed set and climbs to $350 brand new. The floor rose about 28%, which stings, but at $164 these still undercut the AirPods Pro and Galaxy Buds3 Pro on sheer workout utility. At $350, you're paying a premium that doesn't track with the sound quality or feature set. We'd aim for the $200 sweet spot on a new pair, and if you spot a renewed deal from Amazon at $164, it's still a solid buy, just not the screaming steal it used to be.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the gym companion you didn't know you needed. Beats packed top-tier ANC into a true wireless sport earbud, then added actual heart rate monitoring that works with your fitness apps. The killer feature is the earhook design. It stays locked in place during the sweatiest HIIT class or a 10-mile run, and you get 10 hours of playback per earbud with a total of 45 hours from the case. For anyone who's ever had an earbud fly across the treadmill, these are a revelation.

If you're buying earbuds mostly for commuting, Netflix, or long-haul flights and you don't need the earhook security, skip these. The Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 deliver richer sound, better noise canceling, and a smaller case for less money. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Nothing Buds 2 have also entered the top five, giving you strong alternatives with cleaner sound and smarter features. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are built for sweat and motion, not for lounging.

If your workout is the main event, buy the Powerbeats Pro 2. The combination of bulletproof fit, marathon battery, and genuinely useful ANC is unmatched. The heart rate sensor is a nice bonus that pushes them past pure audio competitors. Just don't expect record-store-level sound quality. User sentiment has climbed to 82 out of 100, so the connection bugs and ear fatigue complaints are fading. Wait for a sale below $250 to feel great about the deal.