Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: which Apple earbuds are best for you?

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: price & availability

I’ll be frank, neither of these models are exactly cheap and whichever you opt for is going to set you back a fair bit. The AirPods Pro 2 launched with a list price of $249 / £249 / AU$399 in September 2022 (the USB-C update arrived a year later) – the same as the original AirPods Pro at the point of release. However, you should be able to get them for significantly less now, given how long they’ve been on shelves. When these pop up in sales, it's common to find them for $189 / £199 – so aim to pay not much more than that.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 were released much more recently in February 2025 and so, naturally, it’s going to be a little less common to catch them on sale. These buds launched at the same price-point as the AirPods Pro 2, coming in at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.95. Again, that’s also the same price as its 2019 counterparts (the original Powerbeats Pro) carried at first, but it's very rare to find these at all now; six years is an awfully long time in the world of portable audio.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: specs

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: features

Both the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 2 have a tasty set of features that propel them above even some of the best wireless earbuds. Let’s start with the Powerbeats Pro 2. Perhaps the most unique feature they bring to the table is a heart rate monitor, which measures the pulse in real time. That feature is compatible with a host of third-party apps on both Apple and Android devices, including Peloton and Nike Run Club.

Other than that, the Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head-tracking for immersive listening, six microphones to ensure clear call quality and good ANC.

There are a few things missing – no cross-platform multi-point connectivity, which could prove to be frustrating for non Apple device users – and there’s no dedicated tab for shifting EQ, so you’ll have to root through your device’s settings to do this instead.

Meanwhile, you’re not going to find a heart rate monitor on the AirPods Pro 2, so if you grab these, it may be worth snagging one of the best Apple Watches as well to keep track of your pulse. In general, though, these have a pretty similar set of features to the Powerbeats 2. You’re getting great Spatial Audio, excellent ANC and a transparency mode for letting ambient noise through, if you so choose.

But a stand out difference is the inclusion of hearing aid features on the AirPods Pro 2. You get a range of options to pick from, such as: hearing protection mode, which uses a machine-learning algorithm to cancel out dangerously loud sounds; an awareness hearing test, hosted via Apple's Health app; and an assistance mode, which is a clinically-approved hearing aid mode that converts your buds into a hearing aid to amplify speech and background sounds. How does it work? You take a six-minute hearing test, which TechRadar's Lance Ulanoff said were some of "the most difficult six minutes I can remember in a long time", but ultimately gave our Editor at Large a personalised hearing profile – not that he had much hearing loss at all. But even knowing more about your current hearing health sounds outstanding, right?

One area where the AirPods Pro 2 can’t quite stack up to the Powerbeats Pro 2 is in the battery life department. The AirPods Pro 2 offer playtime of up to six hours with one full charge, compared to the Powerbeats Pro’s far superior ten hours. Sure, with the charging case, you can get up to 30 hours on the AirPods Pro 2, but that’s still nothing on the 45 hours you’ll get with the Beats in-ears.

Ultimately, this one's a pretty close call. Have some hearing issues? You need AirPods Pro 2. More concerned about fitness functionality? The Powerbeats Pro 2 won't help your hearing, but will take your pulse with ease. For me, the extra boost in the battery department is what gives the PowerBeats Pro 2 a very slight edge. That’s not to put the AirPods Pro 2 down, of course. They arguably make better use of Spatial Audio, for instance, which we’ll drill into in just one moment…

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: sound quality

In terms of audio, this one’s a little bit of a one-horse race. Given these two models have a list price in excess of $200 / £200, it’d be more than fair to expect sublime sound from each. But ‘sublime’ might be a bit of a stretch for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Look, these buds sound by no means bad, but during testing, we encountered a handful of sonic shortfalls. Primarily, we felt that they could get a touch tinny in some profiles, especially at peak volume.

Not only that, but we felt they offered less meaty bass than their predecessor, the Beats Powerbeats Pro. With ANC off, audio quality takes a bit of a hit too, but typically, I’d be keeping that on unless I’m in a particularly busy environment such as a train platform, listening again for why my train is running late (or out late at night).

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. We still felt that the Powerbeats Pro 2 offered energetic and effectively head-tracked sound. And that last part is a real highlight – music, video content and more will dynamically shift depending on the shape of your ears, head and, if you toggle it on, even the position of your device.

How about the slightly older AirPods 2 Pro? Well, when it comes to sound quality, folks, these are pretty top notch. You’re getting strong instrument separation, fantastic bass response, crisp vocals and wonderful Spatial Audio playback, all rolled into one outstanding package.

There’s no lossless with AirPods Pro 2 or the Powebeats Pro 2 unless you’re one of a select few with the Apple Vision Pro, which is a shame. But what you need to know is that the AirPods Pro 2 impress us more in the sound department, with effective head tracking, expansive and overall clarity – especially with ANC on.

So, if you’re after top-tier sound, then there really is no question. We’d definitely champion the still-awesome AirPods Pro 2 over the much newer Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: design

Here’s where things get a lot closer, again. When it comes to design, both of these models score very highly indeed. No, really, each got a 4.5/5 in this category in their respective reviews, which is no mean feat.

Having said that, they are extremely different in terms of build and appearance – let’s start by taking a peek at the AirPods Pro 2. These IP54-rated earbuds have that classic Apple vibe, coming in that same glossy white casing that we’ve come to know and love over the years.

There are different sized eartips included in the box, enabling you to get a tight seal and a comfortable in-ear fit. Plus, these come with short stems that have in-built volume control. You have to slide your finger up and down to adjust volume accordingly, though this can be a little slow to respond and at times, erratic.

Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro 2 take a vastly different approach. You'd be forgiven for thinking they're open earbuds owing to the ear hook, but they're not. They do hook around the back of your ear for fantastic in-ear security – though it may take a little while for you to fit them – but the driver housing at the end does sit within your ear canal and you do need to create a seal there to get the best sound. There's also a physical volume rocker rather than touch controls, which is perhaps a bit of a surprise for 2025 – but we liked it.

Unlike the AirPods Pro 2, the Powerbeats Pro 2 come in a number of colorways. You get basic options like Black or Quick Sand Gray, but also eye-catching variants including Electric Orange, or our favorite, Hyper Purple.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 have quite a bulky case – larger than the slightly wide yet pocketable AirPods Pro 2 alternative. And we were a bit disappointed by their IPX4 rating, which feels a little outdated in today’s market, especially since they're so heavily marketed towards the athletes who often walk among us.

In the end, this is a tough category to call and the victor will really come down to personal preference. Want something that won't budge, even if you do somersaults? That'll be the Powerbeats Pro 2. For me, I’m sticking with the AirPods Pro 2. They have a more discreet look, but still maintain a tight in-ear seal. They also have slightly better protection against the elements and a sleek finish. Sorry Powerbeats Pro 2 – love the color options, but the maximalist look and wraparound aesthetic doesn’t call out to me quite as loudly.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: value

The value category is another tight affair – not least because these two have the same list price of $249 / £249 / AU$399. It’s safe to say that neither of these models are cheap and if you’re a true bargain hunter, you’ll likely be better-served by a pair of the best budget wireless earbuds.

But just because a product is pricey, doesn’t mean it can’t be good value. With the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, you’re getting brilliant battery life, solid mics and an inbuilt heart rate monitor – the latter being something that no other AirPods can currently boast. The added security may also outweigh some of their sonic shortcomings for the more active among us.

The bottom line for me is this: I’ve tested a ton of wireless buds that sound top-class and can be bought for far less than this. And sound quality is king, no matter what audio equipment we’re talking about. So, are these bad in terms of value for money? No. But they’re not a knockout option.

Again, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are hardly an affordable option. There are some cheaper wireless earbuds out there with dynamic head tracking, Dolby Atmos, gorgeous sound and ‘hi-res’ audio – just check out the LG Tone Free T90S, for example.

Of course, you can sometimes find the AirPods Pro 2 for around the $189 / £199 mark when on sale, which is still expensive, but a significant reduction. On top of that, they boast an array of hearing aid features, something you won't find in the Powerbeats Pro 2, or indeed, the aforementioned LG buds.

Given that a lot of more modern alternatives have superior battery life to the AirPods Pro 2, it even feels like they’re adept audio isn’t enough to command such a high price tag. But their sonic superiority over the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 makes them the better value option for me.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: verdict

So, get your guesses in people – which wireless earbuds do you think came out on top? Got your answer? Go on I’ll give you three more seconds… OK, well if you guessed the AirPods Pro 2, then congrats, you’re absolutely right!

Yes, the Powerbeats Pro 2 have a slightly more unique feature set, offer more playtime and have funkier color options, but ultimately their sonic shortcomings hold them back from topping the AirPods Pro 2. The latter thrive thanks to excellent head-tracked Spatial Audio, comprehensive Hearing Aid Features (HAF) and an attractive, discreet design.

But this isn't the end of the discussion. What do you think – which pair is your winner? Feel free to let us know in the comments!

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• Looking for the ultimate ANC? Why not check out our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds
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