So, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are here, and honestly, it’s about time. The original Power Beats Pro came out way back in 2019, and while they were solid for their time, they were missing a lot of features that became standard in other earbuds. No wireless charging, no USB-C, and no active noise cancellation (ANC) made them hard to recommend in 2025, especially at $250.
Beats has finally given us an upgrade that feels like it’s keeping up with the times.
What’s New?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 now come with wireless charging, USB-C (thank goodness), and active noise cancellation. But the biggest surprise? Heart rate monitoring built right into the earbud which is a first for Beats (or any Apple earbuds), and it’s a feature that could make these a go-to for fitness enthusiasts.
The Case
The old Powerbeats Pro case was a chunky—big, bulky, and not exactly pocket-friendly. The new case is slimmer, but let’s be real, it’s still not as compact as something like the AirPods Pro 2. It’s an improvement, though, and it’s lighter, which makes it easier to carry around. The hinge feels a bit plasticky and hollow compared to the older model, but, it’s a trade-off for the smaller size.
Inside the case, you’ve got a physical pairing button, which is handy. Powerbeats Pro 2 themselves are slimmer and more refined, but they still keep that familiar Power Beats Pro look. They’ve kept the physical buttons—play/pause and volume controls on both earbuds. It’s a small thing, but it’s so much easier to adjust volume or skip tracks without fumbling with your phone.
Powerbeats Pro 2 are water & sweat resistant with IPX4 rating.
Colors
This year, Beats dropped some fresh colors: electric orange, hybrid purple, jet black, and quicksand. They all look pretty sleek, so you’ve got options if you’re into that.
Fit and Comfort
The ear hooks are still here, and they’re just as good as ever. You hook them over your ear, twist them back, and they lock into place. Once they’re in, they’re not going anywhere—perfect for running, working out, or just walking around. Powerbeats Pro 2 come with five sets of ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL), so you can find the right fit. Compared to AirPods, which tend to fall out if you sweat, these are way more secure.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Finally, ANC is here in Powerbeats Pro 2 and it’s actually pretty good. We tested these in heavy traffic, loud environments, and while listening to music they blocked out most of the noise. Beats claims these have the best ANC they’ve ever put in a product, and I’d say they’re on par with the AirPods Pro 2. A good fit is key for ANC to work well, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 nail that.
Transparency Mode
This is where Powerbeats Pro 2 fall a bit short. The transparency mode isn’t as natural or immersive as the AirPods Pro 2. The sound feels a bit flat, and the bass doesn’t have the same punch. It’s no way terrible, but if you’re used to AirPods, you might notice the difference.
Powerbeats Pro 2 – Heart Rate Monitoring
This is the standout feature. For the first time, Beats (or Apple) has added heart rate monitoring directly into the earbuds. They’ve got a tiny optical sensor with a green LED that measures your heart rate. It works seamlessly with apps like Nike Run Club, and the accuracy is surprisingly good—we tested it against other heart rate monitors, and the readings were almost identical.
That said, it’s not a full replacement for a smartwatch. Powerbeats Pro 2 only tracks your heart rate during workouts or if you’re using a supported app. If you’re wearing an Apple Watch, it’ll prioritize the watch’s readings over the earbuds.
For Android users, you can double-press and hold to activate heart rate monitoring and pair it with your preferred app. It’s a cool feature, especially if you don’t want to wear a fitness tracker but still want heart rate data during workouts.
Microphone
There are three mics on each bud, and they do a decent job of making your voice sound clear during calls. Nothing groundbreaking, but it gets the job done.
Powerbeats Pro 2- Battery Life
Battery life in Powerbeats Pro 2 is solid. You get 8 hours of playback with ANC on and 10 hours without it. The case adds another 28 hours, so you’re covered for a full day (or more). Fast Fuel charging is still here—5 minutes of charging gives you about 1.5 hours of listening time. For wireless earbuds, anything over 6 hours is good, and these definitely deliver.
Powerbeats Pro 2 – Price
200 on sale), these aren’t cheap. But considering the upgrades—wireless charging, USB-C, ANC, and heart rate monitoring—they’re a lot more competitive than the original Power Beats Pro. If you’re a fitness junkie or just someone who wants a secure fit with good sound and ANC, these are worth considering.
Final Thoughts
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a solid upgrade. They’ve fixed a lot of the issues with the original model, and the new features (especially heart rate monitoring) make them stand out. They’re not perfect—the transparency mode could be better, and the case is still a bit bulky—but they’re a great option if you want earbuds that stay put and deliver good sound. Whether you’re a hardcore athlete or just someone who wants reliable earbuds for everyday use, these are worth a look. Just maybe wait for a sale.
