Video summary

PowerBeats Pro 2 Review - Underwhelming

Main summary

Key takeaways

Product Review

Product reviewed

Beats PowerBeats Pro 2 (Apple Beats lineup) — released six years after the original PowerBeats Pro.

Key features mentioned

  • Secure fit for workouts: ear hooks designed to stay in place during activities like running and mountain biking, including inverted/aerial maneuvers.
  • Physical controls: volume controls and a mode/action button on both earbuds (left and right).
  • Comfort/fit materials:
    • Harder rubber tips/seal than AirPods Pro 2, described as more durable and better for workouts/sweat, while still feeling “equal in comfort.”
  • Included tips:
    • 5 tip sizes total (1 pre-installed + 4 additional).
  • Sound:
    • Compared against AirPods Pro 2 as the “gold standard” for wireless audio quality.
    • PowerBeats Pro 2 sound is more playful, with stronger bass and more emphasized treble—a deliberate V-shaped tuning (not studio-flat).
  • Apple H2 chip:
    • Handles ANC and Transparency mode.
    • Supports Spatial audio for movies/shows.
  • ANC performance (mixed):
    • Good for steady/constant noise (treadmills, air conditioning, plane background noise).
    • Poor for random/impulse sounds (claps, sudden bangs; gym weights/clanking).
  • Heart rate sensor built into buds:
    • Optical sensor on the bottom of each bud with bright green light visible.
    • Accuracy: compared with a Polar chest strap, within ~1–2 BPM.
    • Usability downside: hard to check without launching an app and navigating screens; supported by a handful of apps.
    • Battery impact: heart-rate tracking drains battery significantly faster (implied test: 2 hours HR tracking vs 2 hours audio caused a “really significant” difference).
  • Charging case & battery:
    • Case is lighter and smaller than the previous generation, but still chunky compared to the AirPods Pro case.
    • USB-C charging + wireless charging supported.
    • Strong magnets make charging easy and reliable, addressing the original PowerBeats Pro’s finicky charging.
    • Battery: ~10 hours per charge, up to ~45 hours total with the case (“power reserve”).

Pros (user experience highlights)

  • Very secure workout fit thanks to ear hooks.
  • Comfortable, with tougher rubber tips positioned as better for sweat/durability.
  • Long battery life (10h/45h claimed) and much improved case charging reliability.
  • ANC works well for constant background noise (treadmill/AC/plane-type).
  • Heart rate sensor accuracy is good (within 1–2 BPM of a Polar chest strap).
  • Transparency/spatial audio via H2 chip; mic use sounds similar to AirPods Pro 2 in the demo.

Cons (main complaints)

  • ANC is underwhelming overall:
    • Good for steady noise, but disappointing for sudden/random noises (weights clanking, claps).
    • Frustrating because Apple’s H2/ANC expertise is expected to be best-in-class.
  • Heart rate sensor is not very usable:
    • Requires app navigation/sign-in steps, not frictionless like an Apple Watch/typical Apple ecosystem experience.
    • Supported by only a small number of apps.
    • Extra battery drain when using heart rate tracking.
  • Price feels hard to justify:
    • $250 USD, the same launch price as the original PowerBeats Pro despite being 6 years later.
    • Many fitness-oriented wireless earbuds are $100 cheaper or more, making the heart-rate premium seem unnecessary for most people.
  • Case size still less compact than AirPods Pro case (improved from older PowerBeats, but not as small).

Comparisons made

  • Audio quality vs AirPods Pro 2
    • AirPods Pro 2 described as the “gold standard.”
    • PowerBeats Pro 2 sound is good but not as good, tuned for bass/treble emphasis.
  • Mic quality vs AirPods Pro 2
    • Demo suggests similar mic performance (no clear winner).
  • ANC performance vs AirPods Pro 2
    • AirPods Pro 2 reportedly handles constant noise better.
    • Reviewer estimates PowerBeats Pro 2 constant-noise ANC at about ~8 to 8.5 out of 10 (roughly 8).
  • Heart rate sensor vs Polar chest strap
    • Within 1–2 BPM.
  • Charging design vs original PowerBeats Pro
    • PowerBeats Pro 2 charging is dramatically more reliable than the original’s finicky connection.

Ratings / numbers mentioned

  • ANC (steady/background noise): estimated around 8/10 (or 8–8.5/10).
  • Battery life:
    • 10 hours per charge
    • up to 45 hours with case reserve
  • Heart rate accuracy: off by ~1–2 BPM vs Polar chest strap
  • Price: $250 USD

Unique points list (distinct claims made)

  1. PowerBeats Pro 2 are the newest Beats wireless earbuds after 6 years.
  2. Key differentiator: ear hooks for secure athletic fit.
  3. Physical volume + mode/action controls on both earbuds.
  4. Hooks are comfortable and meant to keep shape (not intended to be bent).
  5. Harder rubber tips than AirPods Pro 2; positioned as more durable for sweat.
  6. 5 ear tip sizes included.
  7. Sound is V-shaped with strong bass and treble emphasis.
  8. AirPods Pro 2 considered better audio quality overall.
  9. Mic demo: PowerBeats Pro 2 sounds similar to AirPods Pro 2.
  10. H2 chip provides ANC, transparency, and spatial audio.
  11. ANC is good for constant noise (treadmill/AC/plane).
  12. ANC is poor for sudden/random noises (gym clanks, claps).
  13. Heart rate sensor is optical, on both buds, with visible green light.
  14. Heart rate accuracy vs Polar chest strap is within 1–2 BPM.
  15. Heart rate sensor is hard to check (requires app launch/navigation).
  16. Heart rate is supported by only a handful of apps.
  17. Heart rate tracking drains battery faster (2 hours HR vs 2 hours audio).
  18. Case is lighter/smaller than the previous generation but still chunky vs AirPods Pro case.
  19. Case uses USB-C and supports wireless charging.
  20. Charging reliability improved via strong magnets (better than original finicky charging; can charge upside down).
  21. Battery life is excellent: 10h + 45h total.
  22. Main negatives: ANC strength, heart rate usefulness, and high price.
  23. Price comparison: $250 vs many competitors $100 cheaper, making the heart-rate premium seem unjustified.
  24. Overall conclusion: despite features, reviewer finds it surprisingly underwhelming.

Speaker / perspective notes

  • Single main narrator with consistent viewpoints:
    • Focuses on fitness-focused fit, ANC shortcomings, and heart-rate usability/price justification.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommendation: only consider if you strongly need an ear-hook fitness fit and reliable battery/case charging.

If your top priority is best-in-class ANC or a truly useful heart-rate feature, the reviewer finds the PowerBeats Pro 2 underwhelming, especially given the $250 price in a market with many cheaper alternatives.

Original video