Sometimes you have to admit – Beats have long been considered the “too much bass, not enough everything else” headphones you buy just because someone on Instagram was wearing them. But here we go – it’s 2025 and I’m about to say something that would have sent me into internet quarantine years ago: The new Powerbeats Pro 2 are actually some of the better headphones on the market. Yes, those ear-hook headphones that look like something a space marathon runner would wear. Well, now they’re better, lighter, more comfortable and – surprise – smarter. And the craziest part: they have all these upgrades, but the price remains the same as the previous generation. Apple, are you online?
Okay, first the basics. If you've ever worn the original Beats Powerbeats Pro, then you know they were solid even back then. But the new version is 20 % lighter, more compact, and still holds in your ears like glue. Beats has added an extra size of eartips (from XS to XL), which means they'll finally fit, even if you have ears the size of a bun or a satellite dish.
And now the big pluses: they added active noise cancellation (ANC) which actually works. Of course not at the level of AirPods Pro, but close. So whether you're on a plane, a train, or just trying to ignore your roommate who chews like a forest beaver, the Powerbeats Pro 2 will do the job.
But even more interesting – for the first time in history, Beats headphones have built-in heart rate monitor. Yes, you read that right. Now you can get your heart rate data right from your ears. Your ears are officially smarter than your smartphone.
Sound? Don't worry, it still has bass, but not on steroids anymore
Beats used to feel like headphones that someone tuned at an electronic music concert at 3 a.m. Now they're actually balanced.
They have better amplifiers, improved drivers, and a new grille that allows for a more natural sound. The bass is still there, but it doesn't eat up the entire spectrum - and that's a really good sign. If you listen to hip-hop, pop, or anything with a beat, you'll be happy. But if you're an audiophile looking for a completely neutral soundstage, you'll probably still prefer to stick with your Sennheisers and philosophical debates about the quality of FLAC formats.
Last updated 2025-02-11 / Affiliate links / Photo source: Amazon Product Advertising API
A battery that lasts more workouts than you
One of the key things about these headphones is the battery. 10 hours per charge without ANC, around 7-8 hours with ANC on. But the best part? The charging case now supports USB-C and wireless charging, and holds an additional three full charges.
So, if you use them for an hour or two a day, you can go up to a month without a serious charge. And what if disaster strikes and you run out of battery right before your workout? Five minutes in the case gives you more than an hour of listening time. In other words: plug in – charge – done.
Apple should copy Beats (yes, seriously)
Powerbeats Pro 2 They're a strange Apple experiment. Better-sounding, more useful, and better workout headphones than the AirPods Pro. And they're also one of the most impressive upgrades in Beats history.
Sure, they're still a bit larger than traditional earbuds and won't be a visual match for everyone. But if you want headphones that actually stay in your ears, have really good noise cancellation, offer heart rate monitoring, and still look cool enough for an Insta story, then you'll be hard-pressed to find a better alternative.
Price? €250. Which sounds like a lot – but hey, AirPods Pro are there too, but they can't track you at the gym.
Good headphones? Yes. Surprisingly good? Even more so, yes.
Now we're just waiting for Apple to steal this idea and add a heartbeat to the AirPods Pro 3.
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