When Apple purchased Beats for $3 billion dollars in 2014, there were those in the market who felt it might prove to be somewhat counter-intuitive as a business decision at a time when Apple was marketing its own set of wireless earbuds that would become the category leading AirPods. Apple managed to differentiate both brands well enough that they captured a significant slice of the market. Beats appeals to a different type of user and the brand new Powerbeats Pro 2 are already making waves.
For 2025, Beats has released the sequel to their original Powerbeats Pro released in 2019, the Powerbeats Pro 2. Beats claims they are their most advanced product so far. Targeted at the athletically inclined, the Pro 2 is designed to provide powerful, immersive sound with the bonus of Heart Rate Monitoring for workouts.
From Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports, and Beats: “Powerbeats Pro 2 is the most impressive product in Beats’ history — developed to withstand intense training sessions and equipped with our most innovative technology and powerful sound,…Now with Heart Rate Monitoring for workouts, Active Noise Cancellation, and Transparency mode, Powerbeats Pro 2 sets a new standard in audio for fitness.”
In-Ear Fit and Spatial Audio
Powerbeats Pro 2 has an in-ear bud with over-ear hook design with new acoustic architecture and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking supporting powerful, immersive sound, with clear highs, rich midrange tones, and deep bass.
Active Noise Cancelling
To ensure the best listening experience when training, Beats leveraged Apple’s Active Noise Cancelling technology and added Transparency mode to allow listeners to hear what is going around them.
Adaptive EQ
The Pro 2 includes an Adaptive EQ to tweak the sound profile in real time based on how the earbuds fit in the user’s ear. An inward-facing microphone monitors sound, and Adaptive EQ, powered by computational audio, tunes the low and mid frequencies to account for what may be lost due to variances in fit.
Stability & Comfort
Beats claim that the Powerbeats Pro 2 was tested with nearly 1,000 athletes. The earhook has been reinforced with a nickel-titanium alloy for improved flexibility, grip, and comfort. As a result, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is 20% lighter than its predecessor and is Beats’ best-fitting earphone.
The Pro 2 carries an IPX4 rating making it resistant to sweat, rain, snow, and heat.
Upgraded venting enhances comfort and sound and for the first time, a fifth ear tip size is included for additional personalized comfort. Users can choose from extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large ear tips.
Heart Rate Monitoring
Accurate Heart Rate Monitoring is being launched with the Powerbeast Pro 2. This feature gives athletes (or anyone) real-time data on their performance, with LED optical sensors pulsing over 100 times per second to measure blood flow. The collected information can be relayed to compatible fitness apps in real-time.
To start, the Powerbeats Pro 2 Heart Rate Monitoring feature will be compatible with the following apps in the US:
- Open
- Peloton
- Runna
- Slopes
- Ladder
- Nike Run Club
- YaoYao
Apple Compatibility
Powerbeats Pro 2 is fully compatible with Apple devices (no iOS app download required) for one-touch pairing, automatic switching, audio sharing, hands-free Siri, and Find My (find your device).
For Android users, the Beats App unlocks one-touch pairing, the ability to activate or disable Heart Rate Monitoring, customizable controls, battery status widgets, Locate My Beats, and over-the-air updates.
On-ear buttons or hands-free Siri can be used to control music. Each earbud also has a tactile volume rocker for ultimate convenience.
Each earbud is equipped with a voice accelerometer and three advanced microphones. Leveraging advanced computational audio and a machine-learning algorithm, Voice Isolation reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the user’s voice during calls. With an improved signal-to-noise ratio and exceptional voice targeting and noise suppression, Powerbeats Pro 2 provides improved call performance.
Battery Life
Powered by the Apple-designed H2 chip, Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers up to 45 hours of battery life with the charging case, with each bud delivering up to 10 hours of playback per charge. A Fast Fuel five-minute charge provides up to 90 minutes of playback. In addition, the charging case is 33% smaller than its predecessor and is Beats’ first earbud case to feature wireless charging (Qi‑certified).
Eco-Friendliness
Powerbeats Pro 2 packaging is made from 100% plant-based material sourced from recycled fiber and sustainable forests.
Comparison
| Model | Powerbeats Pro 2 (2025) | Powerbeats Pro (2019) |
| Product Type | In-Ear Wireless Earbuds | In-Ear Wireless Earbuds |
| Price | $249.99 | |
| Sound | Active Noise Cancelling (ANC), Transparency mode Adaptive EQ Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | None |
| Nickel-titanium alloy–reinforced ear hooks | Yes | Not Indicated |
| IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring for Workouts | Yes | – |
| Compatibility (Apple) | Powered by the Apple H2 chip Fully compatible with Apple devices, with one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My | Powered by the Apple H1 chip Fully compatible with Apple devices, with one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My (Locate my Beats) |
| Compatibility (Android) | Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, the heart rate monitoring feature, customizable controls, battery status widgets and Locate My Beats | Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, the heart rate monitoring feature, customizable controls, battery status widgets and Locate My Beats |
| Connectivity | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth |
| Voice Isolation | Reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice during calls | Not Indicated |
| Battery | Up to 45 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 10 hours of continuous bud playback Fast Fuel: a 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback Universal USB-C charging Works with Qi-compatible wireless chargers Rechargeable lithium‑ion battery | Up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 9 hours of continuous bud playback Fast Fuel: a 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback Rechargeable lithium‑ion battery |
| Controls | Single multi-function button per side Volume rockers (up/down) on each side Auto Play/Pause via optical sensors and motion accelerometers | Physical volume and track controls on each earbud. Long- and short-range optical sensors drive Automatic play/pause and call handling |
| Dimensions | Height: (case) 7.5 cm / 3.0 in (bud) 4.5 cm / 1.8 in Length: (case) 6.6 cm / 2.6 in (bud) 4.1 cm / 1.6 in Width: (case) 3.4 cm / 1.3 in (bud) 2.4 cm / 0.9 in | Not provided. |
| Weight | (case) 69 g (bud) 8.7 g (total) 77.7 g | (case) 80 g (bud) 11 g (total) 102 g |
| Color Options | Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, Electric Orange | Black, Navy, Ivory, Moss |
| In the Box | Powerbeats Pro 2 true wireless earbuds Wireless charging case Silicone ear tips with five size options — XS, S, M, L, XL (medium pre-installed) Warranty card Quick Start Guide Note: The power adaptor and USB-C charging cable are sold separately | Powerbeats Pro true wireless earbuds Eartips with four size options Charging case Lightning to USB-A charging cable, Quick start guide (USB power adapter sold separately) |
In the Box
Media Campaign
In support of the Powerbeats Pro 2 launch, Beats also has a media promotion featuring star athletes LeBron James (Basketball), Lionel Messi (Soccer), and Shohei Ohtani (Baseball) highlighting the connection between passion, performance, and heart.
From Shohei Ohtani: “Getting to be a part of this campaign with LeBron James and Lionel Messi is really special. Tapping into your heart is important whether you’re an athlete on the biggest stage or just getting started and I’m excited to partner with Beats to help deliver that message.”
From Lionel Messi: “Even though we come from different sports, what connects us is our shared passion to perform at the highest level. This campaign reflects how true power comes from the heart—how we’ve all used that inner drive to fuel our journeys and push ourselves throughout our careers.“
From LeBron James: “I’ve been a huge fan of the Powerbeats line since it first launched, and seeing it evolve into the new Powerbeats Pro 2 is incredible. Music has always been a key motivator in my training, and these earphones take an already iconic product to the next level.”
The Bottom Line
After 5 years, it was time for Beats to update their Powerbeats Pro earbuds and it looks like they may have a winner. Although heavily promoted to the athletic crowd, anyone can take advantage of its capabilities, such as spatial sound with head tracking, ANC, and transparent modes – but the big news is the inclusion of heart rate monitoring.
Those brave enough to ride the NYC Subway to work in the morning, might want to turn that feature off at the moment. Just saying.
For $249.99, and compatible with Apple products – this might a good pair of earbuds to consider.
Price & Availability
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is available to order in four colors—Jet Black, Hyper Purple, Quick Sand, and Electric Orange—for $249.99 USD.
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