Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review

Miniaturizing everything from the previous generation was one of the biggest mandates for the design and engineering team and they did indeed dig deep into Apple’s pockets to achieve this. The ear hook itself is 50% smaller while improving on the ergonomics and durability by using nickel-titanium alloy that they’ve coined as Nitinol. Classic Apple! Next, the case is 33% smaller and while I do appreciate the effort, it’s still almost twice as big as the AirPods Pro 2 or any other TWS models. Not that skinny jeans are in vogue anymore, but if you haven’t gone shopping for denims since 2022, you could be in trouble.

With five different earbud sizes included, getting the perfect fit won’t be a problem and the ear hook rests extremely comfortably behind your ears, even with spectacles on. But additional reinforcement comes in the form of ANC and Adaptive EQ, all thanks to the inclusion of the Apple H2 chip, similar to the one in the AirPods Pro 2. This enhancement also unlocks ultra low-latency with Apple Vision Pro for true lossless audio support, besides a whole bunch of computational audio prowess that helps in everything from isolating your voice during calls to a high-performance DSP for better sound quality.

Controls on the buds are mechanical and for the better of it. While working out or running, pressing the ‘b’ logo on either earbud gives you call or music controls and the physical volume rockers work well even with sweaty hands or ears. IPX4 rating helps in soaking up all the hard work from your sweat sessions.

The most notable new addition is the heart rate sensor though, making it the first Beats product to get this feature and it works with both iOS via the Health app or partner fitness apps like Nike Run Club, Open, Ruma, Ladder, Slopes or Peloton. More are added constantly and on Android, it can be activated directly from the earbuds and monitored via the Beats app. If you’re wearing an Apple Watch too though, the data from the Watch gets precedence over the Powerbeats Pro 2’s HR data. Having miniaturised the photodiode, optical lens, LED sensor and accelerometer all inside the buds tiny chassis is no mean feat and Beats claims the accuracy of these sensors is as good as the Apple Watch. Being in the health data collection business for ten years has given Apple the edge when it comes to monitoring vitals and processing them in a format that is easy to decipher.

Reducing case size and upping battery life definitely deserves praise, especially with more processing going on behind the scenes now. 8 hours of non-stop playback with ANC on with up to 36 hours more with the charging case is quite the feat. Up that to 10 hours per charge and 45 hours total with ANC off puts it in a different league altogether. I used them for a week intermittently and only on day five did I juice them for a bit. Qi wireless charging is now supported as is Fast Fuel, as Beats calls quick charging.

Using the pre-installed M-sized ear tip worked best to create the perfect seal in my ears, as validated by the Ear fit test on iOS. Starting with the aptly named Wake Me Up by The Weeknd, it was instantly evident that the Powerbeats Pro 2 bear the bass-led signature of the brand. When the Thriller-esque bass line drops at about 1:47, these earbuds come alive with a full bodied low-frequency response that makes your head nod to the groove. Unfortunately though, the the highs don’t have the same level of control and start sounding shrill and tizzy at the slightest provocation of the volume level. The ‘V’ shaped EQ curve that’s built into the earbuds doesn’t leave much room for a balanced sound and the midrange suffers big time due to this, sounding hollow and lacking any body. From electronic to rock, every genre of music suffered this fate and while sound is largely a subjective matter, there is no getting away from the fact that these are bright sounding earbuds. If you like a forward sounding presentation with an extra dollop of sizzle at the top-end, you would find these entertaining. The articulate bass does make them a fun listen when you’re working out, running or doing anything that warrants an extra dose of energy infused into your system. And that’s where it scores. Their fit is relentlessly secure, no matter how hard you try to knock them off and never feels uncomfortable while staying in place. Ergonomically, Beats have nailed it.

Of the iOS built-in EQ presets, Latin provided the best correction and levelled out the sound profile to be a lot more forgiving. Phone calls and ANC, thanks to the six-mic set-up are both brilliantly executed and in fact, better than the AirPods Pro. Strangely though, even with the H2 chip on-board, unlike the Apple AirPods Pro 2, the Powerbeats Pro 2 cannot be used as a medical grade hearing aid.

As with all Apple products, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can turn a lot of wrongs into rights for those owning an iPhone, iPad or Mac. It does audio switching seamlessly between these devices, audio sharing, iCloud pairing so you’re instantly set-up, Find My and Siri support and lastly, personalised Spatial Audio. In fact, if you own an Apple Vision Pro, you can even get true lossless over wireless! They shouldn’t be the audiophiles choice for music, but if you need an extra dose of energy and motivation, the loud and proud sound of Beats might just be the shot of adrenalin you need.