Evaluate: Are Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 earbuds value it? by means of NewsFlicks

Desk of Contents

The Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 first hit retailer cabinets six months in the past. As anticipated, the wi-fi earbuds turned into a best supplier that garnered prime reward for his or her sporty efficiency throughout a lot of verticals (e.g., sturdiness, are compatible, sound). The buds had been additionally criticized for a couple of obtrusive flaws. 

I shared lots of the identical positives and negatives as my business friends upon the Powerbeats Professional 2’s debut. Part a yr later and I’m nonetheless checking out them to decide any vital adjustments, excellent or unhealthy.

Learn my up to date take at the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 to look why they’re nonetheless on steadiness the easiest earbuds for figuring out in 2025.

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 wi-fi earbuds specifications and setup

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Powerbeats Professional 2 include a strong spec sheet. 

One among their largest promoting issues is compatibility. The H2 processor makes pairing immediate with all Apple gadgets: iPhone, iPad, Macs/MacBook, and Apple TV. It additionally grants get entry to to iOS perks like automated switching, audio sharing, introduced messages with Siri, Ear Tip Are compatible Take a look at, “Whats up Siri” voice activation, and a lot more. This time round, Beats added Android optimization for seamless connectivity with Google-operated gadgets. Android customers have platform-restricted options (e.g., Rapid Pair and In finding My Instrument) at their disposal. Any other addition is multipoint era to pair the buds with two gadgets concurrently. 

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Just like the AirPods Professional 2, the Powerbeats Professional 2 have a devoted phase within the iOS Settings menu to permit options, whilst Android customers can obtain the Beats app to personalize the buds. (And just like the new AirPods Professional 3, the Powerbeats be offering heart-rate tracking and fitness-forward options.)

Beats retained its bodily regulate scheme. Every bud has a multifunctional button and quantity rockers. All buttons produce cast tactility that guarantees customers their meant instructions can be met. “Whats up Siri” allows you to fan the flames of voice instructions with out manually enabling the function on Apple gadgets. The buds additionally fortify Google Assistant. So, whether or not you might be on crew iOS or Android, voice help works flawlessly. 

What the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 earbuds do proper

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

The Powerbeats Professional 2 easiest wi-fi audio athleticism. It begins with the signature ear hooks. Those are perfect for all exercises, particularly operating. I at all times use them when jogging fast paced at the streets and treadmill. They wrap gently across the ear and lock on for a protected and strong are compatible that by no means slips out. The number of ear guidelines comprises listeners of all ear sizes. IPX4 certification protects the buds from over the top sweat and water splashing, and the plastic body is constructed to live to tell the tale exhausting falls at the concrete. 

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

New well being options building up the Powerbeats Professional 2’s worth. There may be integrated coronary heart price tracking (HRM) that data coronary heart price knowledge and stocks it throughout other health techniques (e.g., Apple Well being, Nike Run Membership, Peloton). Are the effects as correct because the Apple Watch? No. Is the function a viable approach to gauge health objectives when your smartwatch isn’t to be had? Sure. 

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Sound is the motive force at the back of each and every pair of exercise earbuds, and the Powerbeats Professional 2 nails it. Beats tweaked its soundstage to ship a extra well-rounded listening revel in. Bass stays on the sonic vanguard. It’s impactful and colourful with minimum distortion at prime quantity. In spite of the midrange being overemphasized, it’s transparent sufficient to experience vocals. Highs are crisp and detailed as nicely. Maximum exercise tracks produce full of life mixes that may gasoline any marathon run. Customized Spatial Audio will increase the acoustics and readability on Dolby Atmos content material. Exact headtracking makes Apple Tune songs convincingly immersive. 

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Battery existence has been higher by means of an hour, now totaling 10 hours according to rate. ANC use brings it down to eight hours. That’s extra playtime than any true wi-fi AirPods style. The similar is going for different luxurious choices. Beats’ charging case now helps Qi-enabled wi-fi charging and holds as much as 45 hours. Rapid-Gasoline charging could also be more potent: a 5-minute rate equals 1.5 hours of listening time.

What the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 earbuds do mistaken

Left:
The unique Beats Powerbeats Professional sports activities earbuds.
Credit score: Zlata Ivleva / Mashable

Proper:
The brand new Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 sports activities earbuds.
Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Let’s talk about the redesign. It’s extra ergonomic and gentler at the ear (the former style used to be a painful put on after a number of hours). Alternatively, the Powerbeats Professional 2 glance much less interesting than the OG, which had a sporty and subtle look. The charging case gotten smaller by means of about 33 p.c, however it’s nonetheless better than maximum charging instances.

I don’t know what came about with the noise cancellation on those buds. The ads make it appear as though the era is two times as robust as prior to. It isn’t. Fashions just like the AirPods Professional 2 and the sibling Are compatible Professional have awesome ANC that neutralizes loud conversations and mid-frequencies at a prime degree. The absence of Apple’s latest listening modes – Adaptive Audio, Dialog Consciousness, and Listening to Well being – doesn’t assist both.

Are the Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 earbuds value it?

Credit score: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Sure, with one of the most same old caveats. 

They’re an development over their predecessor, and Mashable named them the easiest earbuds for figuring out for his or her protected are compatible, simple connectivity, and fitness-forward options. Audio high quality, connectivity, and particular options all obtain important boosts. The uptick in battery existence is preferred. Nifty extras like HRM additionally display Beats’ dedication to creating the Powerbeats Professional 2 a top rate unencumber that avid exercisers will respect.

On the identical time, they lack the AirPods Professional 2’s high listening modes and resilient ANC, and if you have already got a couple of Beats sports activities earbuds, I have no idea in the event that they justify an quick improve. The up to date design doesn’t glance as excellent as the unique Powerbeats Professional. Then there’s the MSRP ($249), which is equal to the first-gen style and remains to be beautiful steep for lately’s shopper marketplace — a marketplace that has numerous reasonable wi-fi earbuds. 

The verdict comes all the way down to affordability. If splurging isn’t a subject, then the Powerbeats Professional 2 are one hundred pc definitely worth the funding. In a different way, you’ll be able to spend just about $100 much less at the similarly nice Are compatible Professional and experience lots of the identical perks.

The Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 can also be bought for $249.99 at once from the Apple web page, in addition to widespread on-line shops like Amazon and Absolute best Purchase.

Beats Powerbeats Professional 2 earbuds overview: By means of the numbers

In spite of everything, let’s smash down the specifications:

• Kind: Hook-style sports activities earbuds

• Processor: Apple H2 chip

• Battery existence: 10 hours (45 hours with case)

• Rapid charging: 5 mins supplies 1.5 hours

• Ear-tip sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL

• Colours: Jet Black, Quicksand, Electrical Orange, Hyper Pink

• Noise cancellation: ANC

• Spatial Audio: Sure

• Water resistance: IPX4-rated

• Weight: 8.7 grams (earbuds), 77.7 grams (earbuds + case)