Why the Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds Instantly Became My Go-To Workout Companions

CNET

9 hours ago

Beats launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 earlier this year after a six-year hiatus in the lineup. The new pair introduced a built-in heart rate tracker, improved the ergonomics and borrowed the Apple H2 chip from the AirPods Pro 2. I've been using them on and off since launch, and these are my new go-to earbuds to use for workouts.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are feature-packed
Beats' new workout earbuds represent one of the biggest generational updates to this model. They come equipped with the Apple H2 chip, which puts them on par with the AirPods Pro 2. Beats says it's "leveraged Apple's best noise canceling." I find that I get a good, secure seal when I'm wearing them, so the noise cancellation performance is pretty good. However, they're tuned differently compared with the flagship Apple earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are more bassy, which some gym enthusiasts might appreciate.
The best part about them is their fit, thanks to their ear hook build. The music never left my ears. Whether I was on a run or in the gym, the earbuds sat comfortably. More than the fit, I was surprised by the voice-calling performance. As CNET's David Carnoy noted in his review, "Thanks to the H2 chip, new microphones and voice accelerometers to help pinpoint your voice, Beats has made some big improvements in the voice department."
Read more: Best True Wireless Earbuds With Ear Hooks for 2025
Android users have to manually start the heart rate monitor in the app or use the control button on the buds.
Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET
I haven't relied on their heart rate monitoring system, because I have an Apple Watch. And if you're like me and you already own the Apple Watch, your iPhone will prioritize readings from the Watch. If you don't own one, it'll show the heart rate data in Apple's Health app. Like other Beats products, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are also platform-agnostic, and the company says all Android fitness and wellness apps with heart rate monitoring capabilities are compatible with its earbuds.
That said, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a few Apple-exclusive features, like personalized spatial audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri, audio sharing and iCloud pairing across all your Apple devices logged in to your iCloud account.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 key specs
Weight: 8.7 grams per earbud (case weighs 69 grams)
Bluetooth 5.3
Apple H2 chip
Custom designed, dual-element dynamic diaphragm transducer
IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof
Active noise cancellation (adaptive)
Transparency mode
Adaptive EQ
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
Six microphones total (one dedicated voice microphone on each earbud)
Sensors (per bud): Optical in-ear detection, optical heart rate monitoring, accelerometer, gyroscope
Customizable controls
Five sizes of soft silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL)
Wireless charging case (Qi compatible or via USB-C cable)
Battery life: Up to 10 hours with ANC off (8 hours with ANC on)
35 additional hours from charging case with ANC off (28 hours with ANC on)
Fast Fuel: 5-minute charge gets you up to 1.5 hours of playback
Telephony: Up to five microphones employed for phone calls, wind-noise reduction, voice accelerometer isolates user's voice
Colors: Electric Orange, jet black, Hyper Purple and Quick Sand
The case isn't easy to carry
Prakhar Khanna/CNET
Though Beats made the Powerbeats Pro 2 50% smaller, the case is still on the bigger side. It isn't as comfortable as carrying other earbud cases, especially when you go for a run. I leave the case at home most of the time, but if you want a pair of earbuds that's easy to carry in a case, the Powerbeats Pro 2 aren't for you.
That said, if portability isn't a priority, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can be counted among the best ear hook earbuds on the market right now, which is why they're on CNET's list of the best wireless earbuds of 2025. They offer good sound quality and great noise cancellation and voice call performance, and they stay snug in your ears. They also offer heart rate detection. With the $50 discount, this might be the best time to buy them.
If you're interested in other options to improve your listening experience, check out our roundup of the best earbud and headphone deals.