Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: Smarter, Slimmer, Built for Performance

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: Smarter, Slimmer, Built for Performance

Beats by Dr. Dre makes a long-awaited return to the wireless workout scene with the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, bringing notable upgrades for both iPhone and Android users. It was 2019 that the original Powerbeats Pro hit the market, so this new 2025 release feels especially significant, not just as a refresh, but as a statement.

The first generation carved out a niche by focusing on fitness and stability, offering an alternative to AirPods with its signature ear hook design. The Powerbeats Pro 2 builds on that foundation, adding a built-in heart rate monitor, refined audio components, and a slimmer, more ergonomic shape.

Designed to enhance both performance and comfort, the Powerbeats Pro 2 aim to deliver more than just solid sound—they want to become a smart fitness companion. But are the changes meaningful enough to make them a must-have, or is this just an incremental update wrapped in sleek marketing?

Form Meets Function: Powerbeats Evolve

The Powerbeats Pro 2 stay true to what made the originals so popular: the signature ear hook design, but refined for better comfort and wearability. The hooks are now 50% smaller and more flexible, thanks to a nickel titanium alloy core wrapped in soft rubber.

The result? A lighter, more adaptable fit that feels noticeably better, especially during longer workouts.

Beats also improves usability for people who wear glasses or sunglasses. The thinner hook sits more naturally around the ear, reducing pressure points without sacrificing stability. They stay in place even during intense movement, making them ideal for fitness enthusiasts.

Another welcome change is the expanded selection of ear tips. You now get five sizes, including extra-small and extra-large, allowing for a more personalized seal. Despite packing in new sensors and updated drivers, the earbuds are lighter and sleeker than before.

Rated IPX4, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 can handle sweat and splashes, but aren’t built for swimming or heavy rain. A quick wipe after workouts helps keep them in top shape.

They come in a range of stylish, fitness-friendly colors designed to match both your workout gear and personal style. At launch, Beats offers four main finishes: Jet Black, Hyper Purple, Electric Orange and Quick Sand. Each version features a soft matte texture and subtle branding, keeping the design clean and modern.

Effortless Pairing, iOS First – Android Friendly

Setting up the Powerbeats Pro 2 is quick and seamless, and thanks to the built-in Apple H2 chip, they pair instantly with any iPhone. Once connected, the earbuds automatically sync across other Apple devices logged into the same iCloud account.

During testing, the connection was smooth and reliable, making it easy to switch between my iPhone and MacBook Pro without digging through Bluetooth menus.

Android users aren’t left behind, though. Google’s Fast Pair gets the job done in seconds, though it needs the Beats app for access to customization options and firmware updates. Unlike iOS, there’s no native multi-device pairing on Android—something Apple users benefit from effortlessly.

The Beats app (or Settings on iOS) lets you toggle features like Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and Spatial Audio. One must-use feature is the Ear Tip Fit Test, which helps ensure you’re using the right tips for the best sound and comfort.

Click on the link for this step-by-step guide: How to Pair Beats Earbuds

Hands-On Simplicity with Limited Customization

The Powerbeats Pro 2 keep things straightforward when it comes to controls. Each earbud features a multifunction button and a volume rocker, giving you full control whether you’re using one or both earbuds.

A single press on the main ‘b’ button plays or pauses your music. Double-press to skip a track, triple-press to go back. When a call comes in, a single tap answers it, while a double-press ends it. Pressing the button during a call also mutes your mic.

Press and hold toggles between Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode. Oddly, there’s no way to turn both off using the earbuds themselves, so you’ll need to do that through the Beats app or your phone’s settings.

The volume rocker on each earbud is a nice touch, especially during workouts when reaching for your phone isn’t ideal.

Wear sensors automatically pause playback when you remove an earbud and resume it when you put it back in. For workouts, that’s a small but useful touch.

To activate the heart rate monitor, double-press and hold the main button until you hear a chime. It’s a simple gesture that quickly puts the fitness tracking into action.

Balanced Sound with a Fitness Focus

The Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver a noticeably cleaner and more balanced sound compared to their predecessor. Beats has slowly stepped away from its bass-heavy reputation, and these earbuds continue that trend with a more refined, natural tuning. The bass is still present, though. It hits with energy during workouts, but doesn’t overwhelm the mids or highs like past Beats used to.

Audio quality differs depending on your platform. On iPhone, the earbuds shine. The Adaptive EQ, similar to what’s used in AirPods, kicks in and fine-tunes the sound in real time, offering greater clarity and separation. Spatial Audio with Personalized Head Tracking also enhances the listening experience, particularly with Dolby Atmos content.

Android users still get solid performance, but the limitations of SBC and AAC codecs mean the sound isn’t as crisp or dynamic. Spatial Audio is supported, but without head tracking or deep system integration, it feels more basic.

One downside: when Adaptive EQ is active with both ANC and Transparency off, bass response takes a hit. Tracks can sound a little warm or flat, especially in genres like house, hip-hop, or R&B. Noise Cancellation mode tends to restore some low-end punch, while Transparency mode lifts the mids and highs to keep outside sound audible.

Overall, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can’t rival audiophile-grade earbuds, but for workouts and casual listening, they offer a satisfying, energetic sound with just enough detail to keep things interesting.

New to the Line: Solid Noise Cancellation, Impressive Transparency

Unlike the original model, the Powerbeats Pro 2 finally introduce Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Transparency Mode, two major upgrades for both fitness and everyday use.

The ANC is decent but not class-leading. It does a solid job of reducing low-level ambient noise, like air conditioning, gym chatter, or traffic hum. It’s a noticeable improvement for Beats, but lacks behind the AirPods Pro 2.

Transparency Mode, on the other hand, is top notch. It brings in external sound naturally, without sounding overly digital or tinny. This is especially useful for runners, cyclists, or anyone who needs to stay alert while listening. You can easily hear conversations, traffic, or a trainer’s voice without needing to pause your music.

Clear Calls, but Apple Devices Get the Edge

Call performance on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is generally strong. On Apple devices, the earbuds tap into advanced voice isolation and computational audio, similar to what you’d find on the AirPods Pro 2. That means clearer voice pickup, less background noise, and more consistent call quality.

During testing, calls made on my iPhone came through crisp and focused. Even in busy environments, like a gym, the other person had no trouble hearing me. Video calls on my MacBook delivered similar results: voices were clean, with minimal interference.

On Android, the experience is still good, just not as polished. Without the same level of integration, the earbuds rely more on their built-in mics. Voices remain audible, but background noise isn’t filtered out quite as well.

Built-In Heart Rate Tracking That’s Smart—but iOS-First

One of the standout features of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is the built-in heart rate monitor—a first for Beats. It’s a smart addition for fitness-focused users, offering real-time heart rate tracking without needing a chest strap or smartwatch.

The monitor sits inside the earbuds and uses your ear for accurate readings. Activating it is easy: just double-press and hold the main button until you hear a chime. From there, it begins tracking, provided it’s paired with a compatible app.

Like most other things with the Powerbeats Pro 2 on iPhone, the experience is seamless. The heart rate data syncs automatically with the Apple Health app and integrates with popular fitness platforms like Nike Run Club, Peloton and others. In fact, start a workout in one of these apps, and the heart rate monitor activates on its own.

Android users can still access the feature, but it requires a few more steps. You’ll need to manually enable heart rate tracking in the Beats app and then link it to a third-party app that supports Bluetooth heart rate sensors. A bit clunky and not ideal, but it works.

All-Day Power with a Slimmer Case

They offer strong battery life that’s well-suited for all-day use. On a single charge, the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds last up to 10 hours with Noise Cancellation and Transparency turned off. With either feature active, expect closer to 8 hours, still competitive for fitness earbuds.

Volume makes a difference. At higher levels, battery life drops slightly, but not drastically. Beats’ estimates proved mostly accurate in testing, especially at moderate volume.

The charging case is 33% smaller than 1st-gen Beats earbuds, which makes it easier to carry but still a bit bulky compared to other brands. It doesn’t fold or flatten the ear hooks, so it won’t slip into a pocket as easily as some true wireless competitors. Still, the smaller size is a welcome change.

You’ll get around three full recharges from the case, bringing total usage to roughly 30–36 hours before needing to plug in. Charging is flexible too: you can use USB-C, any Qi wireless charger, or Qi2 for faster speeds if you have a compatible pad.

For most users, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will easily last several days between charges, making them reliable for both workouts and everyday wear.

Powerbeats Pro 2 Final Verdict: Better in Every Way—But Best with Apple

The Powerbeats Pro 2 2025 edition feel like a meaningful evolution. Beats has managed to slim things down, boost comfort, and add genuinely useful features like Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode, and a built-in heart rate monitor, all without compromising battery life or stability.

Sound quality is more balanced than ever, trading in the old bass-heavy profile for a more refined and versatile signature. While they won’t compete with premium audiophile earbuds, they deliver the kind of punch and clarity that’s perfect for workouts and casual listening alike.

But here’s the catch: the full experience clearly favors Apple users. Features like Personalized Spatial Audio, seamless multi-device pairing, and native Health integration with the heart rate monitor all work best with iOS devices. Android users still get solid performance, but with a few more steps and fewer perks.

If you’re deep into Apple’s ecosystem, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are among the best fitness earbuds you can buy. For Android users, they’re still good, but not quite as great.