When picking wireless earbuds, many people think about Apple’s AirPods Pro and the Beats Powerbeats Pro. Both offer great sound and advanced features, attracting music fans, casual listeners, and people who exercise. One key difference is battery life: Powerbeats Pro offers over 10 hours of playback per charge, while AirPods Pro offers around 5 hours. This article will help you understand their differences and make an informed decision based on your priorities and preferences, whether you exercise a lot or just love good sound. Choosing between the Beats Powerbeats Pro and AirPods Pro (1st or 2nd Gen) means thinking about what matters most to you.
If you’re active and want earbuds that stay in place and deliver strong sound, the Powerbeats Pro is a great choice. However, if noise cancellation, immersive audio experiences, and a more balanced sound is most important, either generation of the AirPods Pro is the better choice. Also, the 2nd Gen AirPods Pro offers notable improvements like longer battery life, better noise cancellation, and Find My support, making them even more appealing. Design is also important: Powerbeats Pro has an ear-hook design for a secure fit, ideal for sports, while AirPods Pro has a sleek design with different ear tips and active noise cancellation. The decision often comes down to comfort, style, and extra features like noise cancellation or a secure fit.
When it comes to technical performance, AirPods Pro has Adaptive EQ and spatial audio, giving an immersive listening experience, while Powerbeats Pro is optimized for better sound quality during vigorous activities. Both have Apple’s H1 chip (although the 2nd Gen Airpods Pro uses an H2 chip), enabling seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem for features like “Hey Siri” voice activation and quick device switching.
Head-to-Head: Beats Powerbeats Pro vs AirPods Pro
Design and Fit
The Beats Powerbeats Pro have a sporty look with ear hooks to keep them secure during exercise. They’re offered in multiple colors, but the ear hooks might bother some glasses wearers. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro have a more minimalist design and come with different sized silicone tips for a customizable fit. They’re only available in white but are generally comfortable for most users, even with glasses.
Features
Both the Powerbeats Pro and Airpods Pro (1st Gen) boast Apple’s H1 chip for easy pairing and a stable connection. The Airpods Pro (2nd Gen) features the H2 chip. The AirPods Pro takes the lead with Active Noise Cancellation and a Transparency mode to let in ambient sounds. They also have Spatial Audio for a more immersive listening experience. The Powerbeats Pro focuses on fitness features like sweat and water resistance and physical controls for volume and playback.
Sound Quality
The Powerbeats Pro lean toward a bass-heavy sound, ideal for workouts. The AirPods Pro offer a more balanced sound profile suitable for various music genres. The Active Noise Cancellation on the AirPods Pro further enhances the listening experience by minimizing distractions.
Battery Life
The Powerbeats Pro win in battery life, offering up to 9 hours on a single charge and over 24 hours with the case. The AirPods Pro provide around 4.5 hours of listening time and up to 24 hours with the case. Both support fast charging, but only the AirPods Pro case has wireless charging capability.
Additional Factors
The AirPods Pro have a smaller, more portable case. They also have a slight edge in microphone quality for calls, especially in noisy environments, thanks to their noise cancellation technology. The Powerbeats Pro, however, have a dedicated Beats app for Android users, offering some features and customization options not available with the AirPods Pro on Android.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Beats Powerbeats Pro | AirPods Pro (1st Gen) | AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | H1 | H1 | H2 |
| Design | Sporty with ear hooks, multiple colors | Minimalist, silicone tips, only white | Minimalist, silicone tips, only white |
| Features | H1 chip, sweat/water resistance, physical controls | H1 chip, ANC, Transparency mode, Spatial Audio, touch controls | H2 chip, Improved ANC, Adaptive Transparency mode, Personalized Spatial Audio, touch controls, Find My with Precision Finding and speaker on case |
| Sound Quality | Bass-heavy | Balanced | Balanced, improved |
| Battery Life | Up to 9 hours, 24+ hours with case | Up to 4.5 hours, 24+ hours with case | Up to 6 hours, 30+ hours with case |
| Case | Larger, no wireless charging | Smaller, supports wireless charging | Smaller, supports wireless charging, Find My with Precision Finding and speaker |
| Microphone | Good noise rejection | Better in noisy environments due to ANC | Even better in noisy environments due to improved ANC |
| Android Compatibility | Dedicated Beats app | Limited features | Limited features |
Key Takeaways
- Both AirPods Pro and Beats Powerbeats Pro offer distinct advantages, tailored to different user needs.
- The design and fit options vary, with AirPods Pro providing active noise cancellation and Powerbeats Pro offering an ear-hook design for stability.
- Technical specifications highlight each product’s focus, with AirPods Pro emphasizing immersive sound features and Powerbeats Pro catering to active lifestyles.
Design and Physical Features
The Powerbeats Pro and AirPods Pro feature distinct design choices suited to different user preferences and needs. Each offers a unique approach to the aesthetics, comfort, and resilience that cater to the active lifestyles of wireless earbud users.
Aesthetics and Build Quality
Apple AirPods Pro display a sleek design with a compact form. They have a minimalist look. The Powerbeats Pro showcase an over-ear hook design that ensures the earbuds stay secure during vigorous activities. Both models use silicone tips to adapt to ear shapes, but the aesthetic appeal differs between Apple’s subtle approach and the sportier look of the Powerbeats Pro.
Comfort and Fit
Comfort is a priority for both the Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods Pro. The Powerbeats come with multiple silicone ear tip sizes and are known for their secure fit thanks to adjustable earhooks. The AirPods Pro also offers different silicone ear tip sizes, ensuring a snug fit. The presence of earhooks on the Powerbeats Pro provides added security for physical activities, whereas the AirPods Pro’s design is more suited for a comfortable, less intrusive feel.
Durability and Water Resistance
When it comes to durability, both earbuds are built to last. They offer water resistance with an IPX4 rating, making them capable of handling sweat and splashes. This feature is important for users who exercise or are frequently on the move. Neither earbud should be submerged in water, but they can withstand the rigors of a workout or a walk in the rain.
Technical Specifications and Performance
When comparing the Beats Powerbeats Pro and AirPods Pro, it’s essential to consider technical aspects like sound quality, battery life, and connectivity. These factors greatly influence user experience.
Sound Quality and Audio Features
The Powerbeats Pro delivers impressive sound with a focus on enhanced bass, which appeals to those who prefer a more robust audio profile for activities like working out. Their sound quality is generally well-rounded, with clear mids and vocals. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, offers Adaptive EQ that automatically tunes music to the shape of one’s ear, providing a customized sound experience. They also feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) for immersive sound, minimizing ambient noise, and a Transparency mode that lets users hear the environment around them.
Battery Life and Charging Technologies
Powerbeats Pro boasts up to 9 hours of listening time, extendable to over 24 hours with the charging case. They also offer Fast Fuel technology for rapid charging, giving 4.5 hours of playback after just 15 minutes of charging. The AirPods Pro provides up to 4.5 hours of listening time with ANC enabled and more than 24 hours of total listening time with the charging case. They support wireless charging and use the Apple-designed H1 chip for efficient battery management.
Connectivity and Integration
Bluetooth 5.0 technology in both earbuds ensures a stable and swift connection to various devices. The H1 chip in the AirPods Pro and the equivalent in Powerbeats Pro facilitate a seamless integration with iOS devices, instant pairing, and hands-free “Hey Siri” functionality. Both earbuds have low latency, which is ideal for enjoying media without audio sync issues. For Android users, the Beats offer more flexibility as they can update their firmware without needing an iOS device, unlike the AirPods Pro.
