Apple boasts that its AirPods Pro earbuds are the company’s best-selling earbuds in the world. And with four different silicone gel tips included, it’s no question that the earbuds’ comfortability significantly contributes to the edge it has over the standard AirPods. The standard and Pro models have been wildly successful, but has the tech-giant just outdone itself?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 were officially released February 11, nearly six years after the first-gen model debuted. Sharing the same retail price as the AirPod Pro 2, the second-gen Powerbeats are designed for workout use, but it can do so much more than being a gym accessory.

Key Upgrades With The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

Major Upgrade Over First-Gen

These new earbuds blow its predecessor out of the water. Weighing 20% lighter and featuring a case 33% smaller charging case, Apple addressed one of its biggest complaints from the previous model. The second-gen Powerbeats Pro now include Apple’s H2 processing chip, noise cancelation, 10 hours of listening time (a one-hour increase), as well as a whopping 45-hour battery life for the charging case (45 hours more) that’s wireless charging compatible.

First-Of-Its-Kind Apple Features

These Powerbeats Pro 2 are the first Apple earbuds with built-in heart rate monitoring sensors, and come with five ear tip sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) for a more personalized fit. You can pair them with Bluetooth-enabled gym equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, spin bikes, etc.) to rack your heart rate using the earbuds’ sensors. However, the accuracy of the sensors are a work in progress.

DC Rainmaker and other tech reviewers revealed that when you connect the Powerbeats to a gym machine for heat rate tracking, it can’t play audio simultaneously. Apple has confirmed this limitation. Additionally, both Rainmaker and Shervin Shares reported occasional tracking dropouts, as well as heart rate readings not always as accurate as those from the Apple Watch or dedicated chest heart rate monitors.

Powerbeats Pro Vs. AirPods Pro 2

The Powerbeats Pro 2 offer four more hours of listening time than the AirPods Pro 2, and 15 more hours with the case. They also charge faster, providing 90 minutes of battery life from a 5-minute charge, compared to 60 minutes on the AirPods. Both earbuds offer the same level of splash resistance, but the Pods have an IP54 rating, offering partial dust resistance, while the Powerbeats’ IPX4 lacks an official dust protection rating.

The Powerbeats are slightly larger due to its wing tips, but adds a more secure fit in workouts and general daily wear. Both headphones essentially share the same audio features, with a slight edge going to the AirPods. Overall, if you want more battery life and better comfortability, the Powerbeats Pro 2 has the advantage, but for size and portability, the AirPods Pro 2 are the better option. Either earbuds are great options within the Apple ecosystem.

We’ll see what the highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 will offer, as those are expected to drop sometime in Fall 2025. They will likely also feature earbud heart rate sensors, but let’s hope they’re much better.