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After nearly six years of waiting, Beats has finally released the successor to their popular fitness earbuds.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 launched on February 11th, as reported by TechCrunch, bringing significant updates, including heart rate monitoring and active noise cancellation.

Let’s dive into what the major tech publications are saying about these $249 earbuds.

Powerbeats Pro 2 Specifications

Category	Details
Product Name	Powerbeats Pro 2 — High-Performance Earbuds — Jet Black
Price	$249.99
Battery Life	– Up to 45 hours with charging case – Up to 10 hours per earbud – Fast Fuel: 5-minute charge for 90 minutes playback1
Charging	– Wireless Charging Case2 – Compatible with Qi‐certified wireless chargers and USB‐C cable
Fit & Comfort	– Ultimate Secure Fit with updated earhook – 20% lighter than predecessor – Five ear tip sizes (extra-small to extra-large)
Sensors & Monitoring	– Heart Rate Monitoring Sensors3 – LED optical sensors pulsing over 100 times per second
Sound Features	– Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) – Transparency Mode – Adaptive EQ – Re-engineered acoustics – Spatial Audio with head tracking5
Durability	– Sweat and water resistant (IPX4 rating)8
Microphones	– Elite microphones with voice accelerometer – Next-Level Voice Isolation9
Controls	– On-ear buttons – Tactile volume rocker on each earbud
Chipset	Apple H2 chip
Connectivity	Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth®
Additional Features	– Personalized Spatial Audio – Voice control – Adaptive EQ – Wireless Charging Case2

The Big Picture

The Verge’s review points out that these are “the first earbuds from Apple to include built-in heart-rate monitoring,” marking a significant shift in Apple’s wearable strategy.

The publication notes the inclusion of the new H2 chip, upgraded microphones, and improved amplifier, along with extended battery life, offering 10 hours on the buds themselves.

CNET’s testing reveals that these aren’t just a minor update.

According to their review, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer “excellent sound” and represent “a noticeable step up from the original Powerbeats Pro.” They particularly praise the new, more refined design and improved ergonomics.

Fitness Features Take Center Stage

Business Insider’s review emphasizes the fitness aspects, noting that the earbuds deliver “excellent fitness tracking with secure ear hooks, great sound quality, and built-in heart rate monitoring.”

Tom’s Guide focuses on the fitness-first approach, highlighting that the Powerbeats Pro 2 prioritize a secure, comfortable fit. Their testing confirms that the battery life outperforms both Sony and Bose competitors in this category.

However, as pointed out in video reviews, the IPX4 water resistance rating is somewhat disappointing for headphones at this price point, with reviewers suggesting that IPX6 would have been more appropriate for premium fitness earbuds.

Sound Quality and ANC

Wired’s review is particularly enthusiastic about the audio performance, describing the sound as “clear, brash, and dynamic.”

They also praise the noise canceling capabilities and note that the transparency mode feels natural and reliable – crucial features for outdoor exercise.

PCMag takes a more measured stance in their review, noting that while the earbuds fit securely and offer accurate heart rate monitoring, there are “better options” available, suggesting that the value proposition might not be compelling for all users.

The Apple Integration

Engadget’s review emphasizes how deeply these earbuds are integrated into the Apple ecosystem, offering many of the same smarts as AirPods while maintaining the Beats design philosophy.

9to5Mac’s hands-on experience highlights the secure fit, stating that the Powerbeats Pro 2 are “by far the most snug-fitting and secure earbuds” their reviewer has ever used.

Price and Availability

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are priced at $249, matching the price point of Apple’s AirPods Pro 2.

They’re available in four colors: Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, and Electric Orange. Bloomberg reports that these are indeed the first Apple earbuds to feature heart rate monitoring, marking a significant milestone in Apple’s wearable strategy.

The Marketing Push

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Beats isn’t being subtle about their target market, bringing in LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Shohei Ohtani for the launch campaign, signaling their commitment to the premium sports audio segment.

Consensus Among Reviewers

The overall verdict from reviewers seems to align on several key points:

Strengths:

• Secure and comfortable fit (consistently praised across reviews)
• Accurate heart rate monitoring (verified by multiple outlets)
• Improved sound quality over the original
• Solid noise cancellation implementation
• Excellent battery life
• Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

Concerns:

• NBC News points out that the $249 price tag is steep
• Limited water resistance rating for fitness-focused earbuds
• Some features restricted to Apple ecosystem users
• Bulky charging case (mentioned in several reviews)

Are the Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds a good buy?

Based on the collective reviews, the Powerbeats Pro 2 represents a significant evolution in sports audio, particularly for users invested in the Apple ecosystem.

While the price point raises some eyebrows, the addition of heart rate monitoring and improved sound quality appears to justify the premium positioning for serious fitness enthusiasts.

The consensus suggests these are worth considering if you’re an iPhone user who takes their workout audio seriously. Still, Android users or those less focused on fitness might want to explore alternatives at lower price points.

As The Verge notes, these aren’t just updated Powerbeats – they’re a new category of fitness wearable that happens to be excellent earbuds too.

Remember that while reviews are overwhelmingly positive, personal preferences for fit, sound signature, and ecosystem integration will ultimately determine if these are the right choice for your needs.

Apple’s Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds are available now and can be found at retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy. Even mobile retailers like Verizon and AT&T are getting in on that action. And, of course, you can find these via the Apple Store as well, respectively.

What are your thoughts on the new Powerbeats Pro 2? Do the updates meet your expectations for a premium fitness earbuds experience? Share your opinions in the comments below.