Do you find it tough to choose between Powerbeats Pro vs AirPods Pro?
Given that they come from the same manufacturer, it’s not surprising that they have the same quality.
Even so, they have strikingly different builds, looks, and features.
In May 2019, Apple first released the Powerbeats Pro; not long after came the AirPods Pro.
Even after a few years since then, these wireless earphones still sell at lightning speed globally.
Not only are they from a highly reputable brand in the industry. Both are actually from the same company. Apple bought Beats in 2019.
Starting with the design, both the Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods Pro showcase sleek aesthetics and superb build quality. The Powerbeats Pro adopts a sporty, over-ear hook design, ensuring a secure fit during intense workouts and outdoor activities. On the other hand, the AirPods Pro flaunts a more minimalistic, in-ear stem design that appeals to those seeking a discreet and stylish look. While both offer water and sweat resistance, the Powerbeats Pro’s rugged design seems better suited for high-impact activities, while the AirPods Pro’s compact form caters to everyday use.
Direct Comparison
Powerbeats Pro
Type: Wireless earbuds
Wearing Style: Ear hooks
Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
Noise Control: Sound isolation
Battery Life: 24 hours with charging case; up to nine hours on one charge
Special Features: IOS Phone Control, Universal Phone Control, Water Resistant, and H1 Chip
AirPods Pro
Type: Wireless earbuds
Wearing Style: In-ear
Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
Noise Control: Active Noise Cancellation
Battery Life: 24 hours with charging case; up to 4.5 hours on one charge
Special Features: QI Compatible, Adaptive EQ, Voice Command (Siri), and H1 Chip
Powerbeats Pro vs AirPods Pro
When you look at Powerbeats Pro and AirPods Pro, you will see two completely different earbuds.
To compare Powerbeats Pro vs AirPods Pro, we’ll look at how each earbud does in terms of fit and comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, use, and special features.
Ready? Let’s dig deeper.
1. Fit and Comfort
Having earbuds that fit securely and comfortably ensures you’ll be able to listen to your music for hours without any problems.
It will also determine the activities you can do while wearing the earbuds.
These two products are very different in this aspect, but which is the better design choice?
Powerbeats Pro
Powerbeats Pro has an earhook design.
To wear it, you position the hook over the back of your ear, tuck the earbuds in, and twist to adjust the fit and comfort.
Unlike traditional “in-ear” earbuds, the hook gives you a more secure fit and prevents your earbuds from falling.
If you’ve ever dropped an earbud on the street, you know how great having an around-ear hook can be.
Getting a nice fit using these earbuds is easy. Still, there’s no denying that we have different ear shapes and sizes.
That said, if you find the fit uncomfortable, this device comes with two additional sleeve sizes, plus dual-flange tips.
AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods had a rough start. The original model flapped in terms of fit and comfort.
The problem was they were not sealing the ear canal, so they kept falling off.
Gladly, all the fit-related problems were cleared when Apple launched the AirPods Pro.
This earbud is incredibly comfortable and good-fitting.
It also comes with three ear tip options so that you can hopefully find the perfect size for your ears.
Winner: Powerbeats Pro
While AirPods Pro fit comfortably and securely, they’re best used when you’re not making a lot of strenuous body movements.
You can jog or run using your AirPods Pro, but the Powerbeats Pro performs better at staying in place.
Whether you’re running, jogging, or doing an intense workout like burpees, you won’t have to worry about your earbuds flying out.
If you don’t mind the slightly bulkier look of the Powerbeats Pro, you will feel more at ease wearing an earbud with a wrap-around design.
2. Sound Quality
Sound quality is a major consideration when shopping for earbuds. After all, we’re using them to hear music and make calls.
In all fairness, both the Powerbeats Pro and AirPods Pro sound great. And why shouldn’t they? They are both Pro versions, after all.
Nevertheless, there are a few striking differences between the two when it comes to this aspect.
Powerbeats Pro
Since this device is for highly active people such as gym-goers, it has a low-frequency extension, down to 10Hz.
That said, it can produce an adequate amount of thump and rumble common in heavy bass music.
Meanwhile, the treble accuracy is okay, but it’s uneven and mostly underemphasized.
Unfortunately, this results in dull and lifeless sound at high frequencies.
Lastly, the Powerbeats Pro has a great mid-range performance, which means you get accurate sound quality for vocals and lead instruments.
AirPods Pro
This updated version of the AirPods has a fairly neutral sound profile, which makes it suitable for a variety of audio content.
It struggles a bit in producing thump and rumble, but it has an amazing mid and treble accuracy.
This means vocals and lead instruments will sound great coming from the AirPods Pro.
Winner: AirPods Pro
Both these Apple earbuds are capable of delivering crisp and clear sound.
They also do an excellent job in terms of frequency response consistency and deviation.
It’s a close fight, indeed. However, the winner in this round is the AirPods Pro.
The sound quality isn’t perfect, but it offers a more neutral range, which means you will appreciate most types of music.
Combined with its noise isolation and noise-canceling capability and assuming that you get a perfect fit, the AirPods Pro will sound louder and clearer.
That said, it provides an immersive listening experience.
3. Noise Control
Noise control is a crucial feature for earbuds these days.
Since many of us rely on our audio devices for work, study, and leisure, we want to be able to hear from our devices well, regardless of the background noise.
Powerbeats Pro
Unfortunately, this earbud doesn’t have active noise cancelation (ANC).
Then again, it doesn’t necessarily mean that external noise will overpower the audio coming out of this earbud.
Since it’s still an in-ear headphone, it provides a good deal of physical blockage or noise isolation.
Still, you don’t want to be in super loud environments, as the Powerbeats Pro may not be able to filter the noise.
AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro boasts active noise cancelation technology.
As with other ANC headphones, it detects noise from both the inside and outside the ear and counters it before you can hear it.
Combined with its tight seal, the AirPods Pro still sounds very clear in noisier environments, such as city streets.
If you need to hear and interact with other people, you can switch to Transparency Mode to let the external sound in.
Winner: AirPods Pro
You can’t deny that the AirPods Pro is the clear winner in this round.
It packs a punch for having a powerful ANC technology amplified by its tight-fitting design.
As a result, you can enjoy your music loud and clear or attend meetings without missing a bit of information.
Even more impressive is the fact that it comes with a transparency mode, which is more common in premium headphones.
It’s a nice feature when you want to tune in to your playlist while still being able to interact with the world around you.
4. Portability and Ease of Use
Most people prefer earbuds for a reason, and that’s because they are extremely portable.
However, it is true what they say—not all earbuds are created equal.
Powerbeats Pro
As it is primarily engineered for sports and working out, the Powerbeats Pro is one of the most secure and nice-fitting options out there.
However, that comes to the expense of added workaround.
To create a more secure fit, you have to hold the stem and push the earhook down.
AirPods Pro
Like traditional earbuds, you tuck them into your ears.
Make sure the stem is facing down and is angled a bit away from your ear.
It’s a pretty straightforward process, especially when you have chosen the right tips suited for your ears.
Winner: AirPods Pro
Obviously, the AirPods Pro is more portable and easier to use because it is smaller and lighter.
For your reference, the AirPods Pro weighs 0.19 ounces, while the Powerbeats Pro weighs 0.79 ounces.
5. Features
Now, for the final category, let’s talk about what else these earbuds can offer.
Powerbeats Pro
- While it doesn’t provide an official IP rating, the Powerbeats Pro is sweat- and water-resistant.
- Moreover, it promises a huge nine hours of battery life.
- You can decline a call by simply pressing and holding the “B” button, allowing you to listen while working out without interruptions.
- It uses Apple’s H1 chip alongside the Bluetooth 5.0 chip for a stronger, larger, and more stable connection.
- The Powerbeats Pro also features voice control through Siri, audio sharing with Beats headphones, and AirPods.
- This earbud is available in black, ivory, moss, and navy colors.
AirPods Pro
Aside from active noise cancelation, the AirPods Pro offers the following capabilities:
- It provides 3.5 hours of talk and 4.5 hours of listening time, but its wireless charging case delivers 24 hours of battery life.
- The AirPods Pro has adaptive EQ, which means it tunes the music to the shape of your ear for better sound quality.
- It uses an H1 chip and Bluetooth 5.0 as well.
- It’s water-resistant.
- Also, it is voice-control enabled.
Winner: Powerbeats Pro
We’re giving it to the Powerbeats Pro this time around because extended battery life is everyone’s dream come true.
Also, while it is possible to answer a call by tapping the side of the AirPod Pro, you can’t decline a call.
Final Recount
To quickly recap the scoring, AirPods Pro takes the lead at a score of 3/5. The Powerbeats Pro gets 2/5.
Here’s a summary of which earbud won per point of comparison:
- Fit and Comfort: Powerbeats Pro
- Sound Quality: AirPods Pro
- Noise Control: AirPods Pro
- Portability and Ease of Use: AirPods Pro
- Features: Powerbeats Pro
Pros and Cons
To give you a better understanding of how these two earbuds perform, here are their pros and cons.
Powerbeats Pro
Pros:
- Exceptionally secure fit
- Intense bass depth
- Great audio performance
- Comes with plenty of added features
- Available in different colors
- Remarkable battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- A bit bulky-looking
- Expensive
AirPods Pro
Pros:
- Comfortable and customizable fit
- Excellent ANC performance
- Highly portable
- Better sound quality
- Beautiful mid to treble ranges
Cons:
- Tend to fall from the ears
- Lack call decline option
Final Verdict
After careful thought, we have decided that our overall winner is the AirPods Pro.
Despite its rough start, this earbud made a massive comeback with plenty of great features, including an exceptional ANC.
Also, the new design guarantees fit and comfort while creating a seal that further enhances its sound quality.
If you want to learn more about Apple AirPods Pro, check out our review here.
However, if you’re looking for sports earbuds, we recommend that you go with the Powerbeats Pro.
It didn’t go at par with the AirPods Pro in some categories, but it’s still a great product for people with highly active lifestyles.
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