AUDIO · REVIEW ROUNDUP
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: what the reviews say
By S. Dahani and the RealDigitalTech editorial team
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 cost $249 in the US and add noise cancelling and heart rate sensors to secure ear hooks. Reviewers love them for sport, less for everyday listening.
© Beats
Quick Take
Key figures
Launch details
The Powerbeats Pro 2 went on sale in February 2025 at $249 in the US. They succeed the 2019 Powerbeats Pro and add active noise cancelling, Apple's H2 chip and an optical heart rate sensor in each earbud. The ear hooks use a nickel-titanium alloy and are lighter than before, and the case charges wirelessly or over USB-C. Beats quotes up to 10 hours per charge with noise cancelling off.
What reviewers agree on
- Fit: all three outlets praise the secure ear-hook fit; GSMArena says the hooks grip "like they owe them money".
- Battery: long battery life is a strength; GSMArena measured over 13 hours with noise cancelling off.
- Noise cancelling: adequate for commuting, but voices still get through and AirPods Pro 2 do better, say HotHardware and GSMArena.
- Case: Tom's Guide and GSMArena find the charging case bulky.
- Water resistance: IPX4 is only splash-proof; HotHardware calls it inadequate at this price.
Where opinions differ
| Topic | Favourable view | Reserved view |
|---|---|---|
| Heart rate | GSMArena found readings close to smartwatches, as long as the sensor is fully covered. | Tom's Guide saw frequent dropouts and readings that sometimes tracked cadence instead of heart rate. |
| Sound | HotHardware finds it cleaner and more balanced than expected from Beats; GSMArena calls it fun for workouts. | Tom's Guide notes some sibilance and finds it tiring over long sessions. |
| Comfort | Tom's Guide finds them comfortable and secure. | GSMArena says the hooks strain the ear after about an hour. |
| Android | Heart rate data works with third-party fitness apps on Android, says HotHardware. | HotHardware notes Android users lose head-tracked spatial audio and other iPhone-only features. |
Verdict
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are a top choice for sport, especially for iPhone users: Tom's Guide puts them at the top of its list for anyone who needs an ear hook. For everyday listening, commuting or long sessions, GSMArena considers Apple's AirPods Pro the better choice, with stronger noise cancelling. Treat the heart rate readings as a wellness feature, not a medical measure.
This article analyses reviews published by other outlets, in our own words. RealDigitalTech did not test the Powerbeats Pro 2 itself.
Sources
How this article was made: our editorial team selected and read the reviews listed above, compared their results and wrote this synthesis, with AI tools assisting the research and drafting. Every figure was checked against the sources, and the article was approved by the publication director. Our AI Disclosure · Our methodology · Report an error: editorial@realdigitaltech.com