I take my workout routine seriously. While I’ve transitioned to mostly doing reformer Pilates, I’ve added cycling and running to my routine in the name of cardio — and for that, headphones are a must. As much as I love my neighbourhood, when it’s time to lock in, I need an intense workout mix to power through those kilometres; the ambient sounds of chatter and birdsong just don’t cut it. And that, dear friends, is where my quest for the best workout headphones began.
Now, I’ve tried a lot of headphones and earbuds in my time. I have tiny ear canals, and finding a pair that doesn’t fall out — even when I’m just walking my dog — has been a challenge. My go-to headphones are the Google Pixel 2s, but they’re not ideal for running. Even though they usually stay in place, once I really hit my stride, they tend to slip out. My over-ear Urbanista headphones, which I use for work, are too bulky and tend to shift when I’m moving around. So, I thought a hook design might finally be the answer to my prayers — and the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds seemed to fit the bill.
They feature an over-ear hook, come with multiple ear tip sizes to suit different ear shapes, and, being designed by Beats, I had complete confidence in their audio quality.
Let’s get into the details.
Key Specs
- Colours: Jet Black, Electric Orange, Hyper Purple, Quick Sand
- Form Factor: In-Ear
- Modes: Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of playback (ANC), and up to 45 hours of playback with the charging case
- Sweat/Water Resistance: IPX4 Rated
- Weight: 69 g (Case), 8.7 g (Buds)
- Connectivity: Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth
- Apple Chip Technology: Apple H2 Chip
- Android Compatibility: Yes
- Microphone/Call Control: Yes
My review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
When the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds arrived at my door, I decided to put them to the test right out of the box. I geared up for a run, set my Strava, and got to moving.
Designed to slide into the ear canal and hook over the ears, these earbuds stay securely in place — though getting them positioned just right took a bit of trial and error. I did find that they occasionally shifted when I wore a hat, but that’s on me. Once fitted properly, I happily ran 9K without them budging, even as I worked up a serious sweat — something that never happened with my old earbuds.
They’re also surprisingly comfortable, and the noise-cancelling feature worked brilliantly, even as I passed construction sites and groups of people along my usual trail. The audio quality remained consistently impressive throughout my run — no dropouts, no crackling — and I’m pleased to report that this has been the case on every run since.
The drawbacks of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
No tech product is without its flaws, and there are a few worth noting — though in my opinion, none are dealbreakers. As I mentioned, I’m a huge fan of the design, but some reviewers have found them uncomfortable or said they tend to slip off. That hasn’t been my experience, though fit does depend on personal preference and ear size. The included ear tips help alleviate some of the issues, but the hook design simply might not work for everyone.
Secondly, a few users have said the sound quality and noise-cancelling function don’t quite measure up to other Beats models or rival brands. I didn’t find this to be the case, but again, it’s subjective and depends on your expectations and experience with high-end audio gear. For workout purposes, I think they perform great.
Thirdly, the case is larger than something like an AirPods or Google Pixel case. This makes it impossible to tuck into a waistband pocket, and adds more bulk to a running belt than you might like. If you don’t bring your case on runs, like me, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Lastly, there’s the price. At around $350, these are definitely an investment — it’s up to you to decide whether they’re worth it.
My final thoughts on the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
When it comes down to it, most people looking for a good pair of workout headphones would be impressed by these. I find them more secure than standard earbuds, and they shift far less than over-ear headphones during exercise. Of course, fit and style are subjective, so if you’re not a fan of designs that hook over the ears, these won’t be for you — but they’ve helped me power through countless kilometres without irritation or discomfort. I’d call that a win.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Pros
- Equipped with Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes for customizability
- Easy-to-use physical buttons
- Solid sound quality
- Impressive battery life
- Additional features, like heart rate monitoring
- Support both iOS and Android
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Cons
- Quite expensive
- The over-ear design doesn’t work for everyone
- Inconsistent reviews on sound quality
- Bulkier than most in-ear buds
What are reviewers saying about the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds?
Most reviewers have fallen head over heels for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds. They hold an average rating of 4.4 stars on Best Buy and 3.8 stars on Amazon Canada. Fans praise their snug, secure fit, noting that they stay in place during runs and HIIT workouts. Many also highlight the excellent noise-cancelling function and sound quality, as well as the addition of a heart rate monitor. However, a few users struggled to find a comfortable fit even with the included ear tips, preferring other models such as Apple AirPods for reliability. Some also felt that the original Powerbeats Pro design was superior.
