Beats Powerbeats Pro Black
Score: 83/100
Apple AirPods 4 with USB-C
Score: 75/100Rankings
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are true-wireless sports earbuds featuring secure earhooks, active noise cancellation, and up to 45 hours of total playback. Their bulky charging case and limited color palette are notable trade-offs. Ideal for athletes within the Apple ecosystem seeking ANC and fitness tracking.
Apple AirPods 4 are open-ear earbuds that deliver personalized Spatial Audio and ultra-fast quick charging. The trade-off is the lack of built-in ANC and a shorter per-earbud battery life. Best for Apple users who prioritize lightweight design and spatial sound over noise cancellation.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
9 hoursbest | 5 hours | |
24 hours | 30 hoursbest | |
| ↓ lower better | 18.14 gbest | 118 g |
1 | 3best | |
1 yearsbest | 1 yearsbest |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (Earbuds) (hours) | 9 hours | 5 hours |
Battery Life (With Case) (hours) | 24 hours | 30 hours |
Build & Design(3) | ||
IP Rating | IPX4 | IP54 |
Total Weight (including case) (g) | 18.14 g | 118 g |
Fit Type | earhook | open-ear |
Audio(2) | ||
Active Noise Cancellation | true | false |
Microphone Count | 1 | 3 |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers highlight the Powerbeats Pro 2 as a major step forward for Beats sports earbuds, emphasizing the secure earhook fit, the addition of ANC and heart-rate monitoring, and the long 45-hour battery life. They also note that while the case is smaller than before, its bulk remains a downside, and the limited color selection may deter style-focused buyers.
Everyday users overwhelmingly praise the stable, sweat-proof fit and the powerful, balanced sound for workouts, while also valuing the long battery life and hands-free controls. Recurring complaints focus on the still-bulky charging case, occasional fit challenges for smaller ears, and the narrow range of available colors.
“"most ambitious" with 20% lighter buds, smaller case, IPX4 rating, heart rate sensor, ANC (Beats' best)”
“"great for sports" with stable hooks, breathability, and easy controls”
