Powerbeats Pro 2 Review: The First Earbuds with Heart-Rate Tracking from Apple

Powerbeats Pro 2 Overview

The Powerbeats Pro 2 has recently been launched by Beats, gaining attention since its early previews. The new earbuds are designed primarily for fitness enthusiasts and have been spotted on various professional athletes, highlighting their appeal for sports use. This guide will explore the key features of the Powerbeats Pro 2, including design, heart-rate tracking, sound quality, active noise cancellation (ANC), and battery life, as well as how they perform in the competitive audio market.

Design Improvements

One of the most notable changes in the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the design and comfort. Beats has made the ear hook smaller, reducing its size by over 50%, which makes them more suitable for users who wear glasses or hats. The new design utilizes nickel titanium alloy in the ear hooks, enhancing both comfort and durability.

In addition to the smaller ear hooks, the main body of the earbuds is now more compact and 20% lighter than its predecessor. This redesign helps to create a better fit and improves overall comfort during wear.

Furthermore, the charging case has also received an upgrade, being 33% smaller than the one that came with the original Powerbeats Pro. It supports wireless charging and offers a USB-C port for wired charging.

Heart-Rate Tracking Feature

The standout feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the inclusion of heart-rate tracking. This is a first for Beats earbuds, with the technology inspired by the Apple Watch. Positioned right behind the ear tips, the sensors read heart rates every few seconds. The system integrates a green LED light, a photodiode for detecting blood cell activity, and an accelerometer to ensure accurate readings even during movement.

Users have found the heart-rate data to be reliable, with even synchronizations between the earbuds and compatible devices like the Apple Watch showing consistent numbers. However, a limitation arises for iOS users because not all fitness apps currently support heart rate data from these earbuds. On the other hand, Android users experience broader compatibility with fitness and wellness apps.

Enhanced Software Features

The Powerbeats Pro 2 is powered by Apple’s H2 chip, similar to what’s found in the AirPods Pro 2. This chip allows advanced features like heart-rate tracking, Spatial Audio, and active noise cancellation. Apple offers numerous features for iOS users without requiring additional apps, such as instant pairing, Find My Device integration, and hands-free Siri access.

Android users would need to download the Beats app to access these features and customize their listening experience. Despite the differences, both operating systems provide adequate options to enhance user satisfaction.

Sound Quality

Beats has reworked the acoustic architecture in the Powerbeats Pro 2, resulting in a sound profile that caters well to various genres but excels particularly with bass-heavy tracks. The dual-layer transducer and upgraded amplifier contribute to an impressive dynamic range, allowing for detailed audio.

Users can expect clear vocals alongside powerful bass, which makes these earbuds ideal for workouts. For example, the bass from tracks by Kendrick Lamar translates well without overpowering other instrumentals, producing a balanced listening experience.

Additionally, the earbuds support Apple’s Personalized Spatial Audio, creating an enveloping sound experience for listeners when used with compatible content, such as Dolby Atmos audio. This technology works seamlessly across platforms, enhancing movies, music, and shows.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) Performance

The Powerbeats Pro 2 marks the first version of this series to feature Active Noise Cancellation. This feature aims to create an immersive listening experience by blocking out surrounding noise. The earbuds can adjust ANC levels based on the noise levels in the user’s environment.

While users notice a reduction in consistent background noise, such as from fans or white noise machines, the ANC may struggle with louder interruptions like human voices. Those who prefer to listen at a moderate volume may find this less problematic, but it can become noticeable during quieter environments or when listening to spoken content.

Call Quality

The Powerbeats Pro 2 also offers solid call quality, utilizing multiple microphones to focus on the user’s voice while minimizing background sounds. While the transparency mode isn’t quite as refined as seen in products like the AirPods Pro 2, the overall functionality remains adequate for phone calls. The earbuds effectively filter out consistent noises, ensuring that important dialogue remains clear during conversations.

Battery Life and Usage

When it comes to battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 boasts impressive endurance. With active noise cancellation off, users can expect up to 10 hours of listening time, which drops to 8 hours with ANC active. Individual testing by users revealed even longer usage under normal conditions. The heart-rate tracking capability does not affect battery longevity, allowing users to worry less about frequent recharging during workouts.

Competing Products

In the audio market, other brands provide alternatives to the Powerbeats Pro 2, particularly options with a similar hook design. However, few can compete with the technology integration that Beats offers, especially for Apple device users. For instance, Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport earbuds provide heart-rate monitoring but might lack some of the polish found in Beats products.

Conclusion: Is Powerbeats Pro 2 Worth It?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 presents a compelling option for fitness enthusiasts and general music lovers alike. With its heart-rate tracking, improved sound quality, and various software features, it’s positioned as a standout choice for active lifestyles. Although its ANC performance could improve and support for heart-rate tracking on iOS appears limited, the earbuds are undoubtedly a significant upgrade over the original model.

For anyone seeking quality earbuds for workouts while also enjoying music, the Powerbeats Pro 2 stands out as a unique product in the earbud market. As it currently stands, these earbuds are a worthy investment for those who appreciate both quality sound and the convenience of fitness tracking.