Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: A different beat

Beats has reworked the Powerbeats Pro 2’s structure, claiming a better ergonomic shape, a 50% smaller ear hook, and a 20% lighter bud design. The ear hooks are now crafted from a nickel-titanium alloy, offering both flexibility and durability. On paper, that all sounds fantastic. But here’s the thing: the ear hook design isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. A lot of people are always worried that their AirPods Pro will fall off. Many years ago, the subway transit system in New York had a big issue with single AirPods found abandoned on the tracks. So if you are one of those who are worried that the AirPods are just going to randomly drop off, the ear hook design of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 will fit in right (no pun intended).

I am not a fan of the design as there’s always this dangling feeling that I am not accustomed to. The AirPods Pro — even with the crippling fear of dropping them — feel much more comfortable. Perhaps it’s resistance to change (which I don’t suffer from) or that nice familiar feeling missing, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 didn’t really work for me. Also, not to forget that that achieving a proper seal remained a struggle all the time for me. Even with the new extra-large ear tips, the conical shape didn’t quite extend far enough into my ear canal, leaving me without the optimal noise isolation.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 maintains the physical controls of its predecessor, with the familiar ‘b’ button for playback and a rocker for volume adjustment. This is an excellent feature for runners and cyclists who need tactile buttons rather than unreliable touch controls.

Like before, the buds are IPX4-rated, meaning they can handle sweat and light splashes, though they don’t offer full waterproofing. The case, while still on the bulkier side, is now 33% smaller and supports wireless charging.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are designed to work seamlessly with both Apple and Android devices, though their functionality varies depending on the platform.

As an Apple product, these wireless earphones benefit from native integration within the ecosystem. When the charging case is opened near an Apple device, a prompt appears for one-touch pairing, allowing for quick and effortless connection — all smooth and familiar if you have used any AirPods.

Once paired, the earphones automatically sync across all Apple devices linked to the same iCloud account. Additional features exclusive to Apple users include automatic switching between Apple devices, audio sharing with other Beats or AirPods users, hands-free Siri access, and Find My network support for locating misplaced earphones.

For Android users, functionality is accessible through the Beats companion app, which enables one-touch pairing, customisable controls, battery status widgets, and Locate My Beats for tracking lost earphones. The app also allows users to activate or deactivate heart rate monitoring and receive over-the-air firmware updates.

Despite offering a premium wireless experience, the Powerbeats Pro 2 lack multi-point connectivity, which can be a drawback for users who frequently switch between different operating systems, such as Windows PCs, iPhones, and Android tablets.

While Apple users enjoy seamless synchronisation across multiple devices, those juggling different ecosystems may find it inconvenient to manually reconnect their earphones each time they switch devices.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Audio quality, health features

When it comes to sound, Beats has undoubtedly refined the tuning on the Powerbeats Pro 2. They deliver strong bass, clear mids, and decent treble, making them enjoyable for most genres. But let’s be real: if sound quality is your main priority, the AirPods Pro 2 are leagues ahead. Their soundstage is wider, details sharper, and ANC significantly better.

To put them to the test, I ran them through a few tracks. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, Afreen Afreen by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Eye of the Tiger by Survivor, and a few others.

While the Powerbeats Pro 2 delivered punchy bass on Eye of the Tiger, they struggled with the intricate details of Afreen Afreen. Comfortably Numb lacked the immersive depth that true audiophile-grade earbuds provide.

This may sound harsh but the sound signature of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is all over the place. In fact, dare I say, it doesn't have one. It does get the bass right most of the times but songs don’t sound how they should on these earbuds. Either the sound is too compressed or its just too jarring — music doesn’t breathe on these earbuds, it is almost gasping for air.

Despite their Apple H2 chip, the Powerbeats Pro 2 miss out on some key AirPods Pro 2 features. There’s no Adaptive Audio, which adjusts ANC based on your surroundings, and no Conversation Awareness, which automatically lowers the volume when you start talking. For some, these omissions might be negligible, but for me, they make a difference.

The ANC also pales in comparison to the AirPods Pro. There were times when using the Powerbeats Pro 2 when I wondered if these are actually a product made by Apple.

One area where Beats cores over the AirPods is call performance. With upgraded microphones and voice accelerometers, callers reported that my voice came through clearer, even in noisy environments. It’s not industry-leading, but it’s  better than the AirPods Pro.

And what else? Oh, yes. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2’s headline act — heart-rate tracking. Firstly, it’s not a new thing as there have been earbuds around with the functionality. Yet, it is commendable to see Apple bring it to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2. Yet, I am not sure the implementation has been done right.

For starters, Apple is still giving — and rightly so — the Apple Watch the power to supersede Beats’ monitoring. If you're sporting both, the Watch takes command, its sensors dictating your heart-rate data. For me, the Apple Watch is the more important device when it comes to tracking my health — including the heart rate. To get the heart tracking going on Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, I would have to leave my Apple Watch behind — not sure if many people would be willing to do so.

For the sake of the review, I did that. Using the Nike Run Club app, I was able to monitor my heart rate while doing a brisk walk outdoors. The data was collected neatly in the Apple Health app. Beats has initiated its heart-rate integration with a curated selection of fitness platforms, including Open, Peloton, and a few others. On iOS, the monitoring activates automatically upon insertion, delivering data at five-second intervals.

If you have an Android phone, then Beats asserts that any Android fitness app supporting heart-rate monitoring should be compatible. However, users will need to manually initiate the feature on these devices.

So, yes, it is a nice feature to have. But choosing these earbuds over my Apple Watch for heart-rate tracking? Slim chance of that happening.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Verdict

The Powerbeats Pro 2 bring plenty to the table—a secure, comfortable fit, longer battery life, improved controls, and a built-in heart-rate sensor that fitness enthusiasts will appreciate. But if active noise cancellation, top-tier sound quality, are your top priorities, the AirPods Pro 2 still reign supreme — and by a considerable distance. With rumours swirling about an AirPods Pro 3 launch later this year, the Powerbeats Pro 2 might soon find themselves in a tricky spot.

If stay-put ear hooks and all-day battery life are non-negotiables, these are worth a dekko. But if your ears crave the consistency in all aspects of true wireless earbuds experience, your money might be better spent elsewhere.