At iMore, we strive to understand everything Apple related, and that includes its subsidiaries like Beats. When it comes to selecting AirPods or Powerbeats Pro, the decision is more complicated since they both have the same high standards. We're here to help.
Powerbeats Pro
Sweat-resistant
Pros
- Longer 9-hour battery life
- Sound Isolation
- Better fit for more people
- Sweat resistant
Cons
- Bigger charging case
- Ear hook design
Featuring the same H1 chip that you'll find in the second generation AirPods, which gives the Powerbeats Pro the ability to use Hey, Siri, the benefits of power efficiency, and super seamless pairing, the Powerbeats Pro come with multiple ear tips for more flexibility in the fit, and due to there design, they offer better sound isolation and sweat resistant, meaning they're a better gym partner. Of course, the ear hook design isn't comfortable for everyone the bigger design means the charging case is bulkier.
Apple AirPods 2
Classic Apple
Pros
- No ear hooks (easier insertion)
- Better sound than standard Apple earbuds
- Wireless charging case option
- Compact design
Cons
- Fit might not be right for some people
- No sound isolation
AirPods, now in their second generation, are considered by many to be the best product the company has produced in many years for good reason. They pair easily with Apple devices, and switching between them is a cinch. They also sound better than your standard wired EarPods. The 5-hour battery life (with another 24 hours thanks to the charging case) means they should last throughout your day and more. However, some people might have trouble getting the AirPods to stay in their ears due to the design, and there's little to no sound isolation.
Both the AirPods 2 and the Powerbeats Pro feature a lot of the same positives, thanks to the Apple H1 chip that is featured in both pairs of headphones, but the Powerbeats Pro offers a better battery life and better sound isolation. Considering the almost $100 price difference between them, it's worth taking a deeper dive into the pros and cons of each model of headphones.
If you want to see what Rene Ritchie thinks about Powerbeats Pro versus AirPods 2, check out his Vector episode below.
A close race
Apple owns Beats so it's not unusually to see Apple's fancy proprietary hardware being used in both headphones, but because both headphones use the H1 chip, the differences between them are harder to distinguish.
Both the AirPods and Powerbeats support voice-activated Siri, meaning you can access the assistant anytime you want to help you get directions, search the web, or make phone calls just by saying, "Hey, Siri," but the Powerbeats Pro actually have physical buttons to control playback, whereas the AirPods rely on gestures and Siri to control your audio. The physical buttons on the Powerbeats Pro are on both the left and right earbuds, so if you're choosing to only listen with one earbud you have full access to controls.
While both headphones feature a charging case that provides up to 24 hours of extra juice, due to the ear hook design of the Powerbeats Pro charging case is a fair bit larger. The compact AirPods 2 charging case easily fits in pockets (even those little coin pockets in most jeans) and the ability to easily store them is a huge bonus for people who already have to carry a lot around. Plus, the AirPods 2 can be purchased with a wireless charging case, so you can pop it onto any Qi-enabled wireless charging pad to get juiced up.
| Apple AirPods | Powerbeats Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $160 (or $200) | $250 |
| Battery life | 5 hours | 9 hours |
| Battery life with case | 24 hours | 24 hours |
| Controls | Tap gestures | Physical buttons |
| Hey, Siri | Yes | Yes |
| Charging method | Lightning (or Qi wireless charging) | Lightning |
| Connection | Bluetooth 5.0 through H1 Chip | Bluetooth 5.0 through H1 Chip |
| Fast charging | 15 mins = 3 hours | 15 mins = 4.5 hours |
| Custom fit | No | Yes |
| Auto pause | Yes | Yes |
| Sweat resistant | No | Yes |
Looking at the spec sheet, you likely notice that the Powerbeats Pro have nine-hour battery life for listening to music, which is a whole four hours more than the AirPods 2. This means you can wear your Powerbeats Pro longer without having to pop them into your wireless charging case, a whole regular work day even, which is a huge advantage. It's important to remember though that the AirPods 2 and Powerbeats can fast charge inside their respective cases, and as you can see above, the fast charging speeds are similar and both provide up to 24-hours of playback.
AirPods 2 and Powerbeats Pro can fast charge inside their respective cases, and both provide up to 24-hours of playback.
The other important consideration to give the Powerbeats Pro is the inclusion of water and sweat resistance. The AirPods 2 headphones have no water resistance whatsoever, they aren't really meant for working out or building up a sweat, and if it's raining outside, you'll likely want to keep them tucked away. Beats states that the Powerbeats Pro is both water and sweat resistant, but they haven't (and if history is any indicator, they won't) given an official IP rating. If they are anything like the older Powerbeats, they should be able to hold up during your intense workouts, just make sure not to let them fall into any bodies of water and get completely submerged (and please, don't shower with them).
Lastly, the sound. The Powerbeats Pro are Beats, meaning you're going to get that bass-heavy signature sound profile that Beats has been known for, and you're either going to hate it or love it. What the Powerbeats Pro will offer though is way better sound isolation which will allow you to shut out more of the outside world around you and in turn, give you a better listening experience overall. The AirPods 2 don't fit as snug into the ear canal as the Powerbeats Pro and therefore suffer from a lot more sound bleed, and because the AirPods 2 don't have multiple ear tips, you can't play around to fit the best fit.
It's important to point out that the Powerbeats Pro headphones do not have the ability to cancel noise isolation, so if you're the type of person that prefers having the ability to hear what's going on around you while you walk or bike, Powerbeats Pro won't work for you.
Which should I buy?
Luckily, the differences between the Airpods 2 and the Powerbeats Pro are pretty minimal, meaning it really all comes done to personal preference.
If you're looking for a workout pair of headphones that won't fall out of your ears, and still want all the benefits of the H1 chip, go with the Powerbeats Pro. If you want to be able to get through your workday without having to use your charging case, go with the Powerbeats Pro. If you prefer sound isolation and physical controls to control playback, go with the Powerbeats Pro.
If you dislike the bass heavy sound of Beats, enjoying having a wireless charging compatible case, want to save about $100 (or $50) dollars, the AirPods 2 are going to give you a lot of the same functionality. Also, the AirPods 2 are avaiiable right now, whereas the Powerbeats Pro aren't coming out until May. so if you need/want something right now, the AirPods are the only choice.
Powerbeats Pro
Sound isolation that stays in your ear
Sweat resistant and snug fitting
With a cited nine hours of battery life, the ability to listen to each earbud separately, super fast and seamless pairing, and Hey, Siri compatibility, the Powerbeats Pro promise to offer everything you love about the AirPods, but with water-resistance, a snugger fit, and better sound to boot!
Apple AirPods 2
Classic Apple
A cheaper way to get the H1 chip
With easy pairing, device switching, "Hey Siri" support, and decent sound, the AirPods provide a total earphone package that's just right for most Apple device owners. It also comes with a charging case, which gives you an extra 24 hours of battery life, and for an extra $50, it can be Qi wireless charging-enabled. We just wish there was some sound isolation or more universal design.
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