Beats Powerbeats Pro Review

Overview

The Beats Powerbeats Pro arrived in 2019 as Apple’s most fitness-forward true wireless earbuds, built around the proprietary H1 chip and an adjustable earhook design that promised to solve the age-old problem of buds falling out mid-workout. Priced at $249, they sit alongside the AirPods Pro in Apple’s audio lineup but target a very different user: someone who needs sweat resistance, a locked-in fit, and extended battery life over active noise cancellation and a pocketable case.

Years after launch, the Powerbeats Pro remain a relevant option in the workout earbuds space, though they now share shelf space with a successor. The Powerbeats Pro 2 adds ANC, a heart rate monitor, a lighter case, and the newer H2 chip. For shoppers considering the original at today’s often-discounted prices, the question is whether the core formula still holds up.

Design and Build

The Powerbeats Pro earpieces feature a matte finish with adjustable earhooks that grip the ear firmly without feeling uncomfortable, according to PCMag. The hooks can be adjusted to a degree, and once you get the hang of the process, insertion becomes second nature. Four pairs of silicone eartips in four sizes ship in the box, giving users a range of fit options.

Copyright protected. First published on hifireport.com; any unauthorized copy violates the intellectual property rights of hifireport.com.

Available colors have been pared back over time. TechRadar notes the range was originally four—Black, Ivory, Moss, and Navy—then expanded to eight with more vibrant shades before settling back to three core colors: Black, Ivory, and Navy. The Ivory model carries a clean, light aesthetic.

The charging case is where the design falters. PCMag measured it at roughly 2.5 by 3.0 by 3.0 inches, and SoundGuys lists case dimensions at 8.1 by 8.1 by 3.6 cm. It is a flip-top design with an uncovered Lightning port on the rear panel. Multiple professional reviewers and customers alike flag the case as bulky—too large for a pants pocket and better suited to a bag or backpack. TechRadar lists the bulky case among its cons, and SoundGuys awards portability a 7.0, the lowest metric alongside connectivity.

Build quality itself draws praise. One customer reviewer described the materials as impressive, noting that nothing in the box feels tacky or cheap. The earbuds carry an IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating, which TechRadar acknowledges as functional but limited compared to some competitors with higher ingress protection.

The total weight is 130 grams for the earbuds and case combined, with the earbuds alone weighing 21 grams, per SoundGuys. Amazon lists the item weight at 0.02 kg, which appears to reflect the earbuds only.

Sound Quality

Sound is where opinions diverge most sharply. PCMag describes the audio performance as powerful with intense bass depth and bright highs, awarding 4 out of 5 stars and calling the Powerbeats Pro ideal true wireless earphones for Beats fans. The publication does note the wildly sculpted sound signature as a con—these are not neutral-sounding earbuds.

SoundGuys gives sound quality a middling score and identifies under-emphasized mids as a specific weakness. GearLab awarded sound quality a 5.8 out of 10—the highest individual metric in their scoring but still below average for the category. The site noted the Powerbeats Pro suffered from poor clarity at some volumes.

Customer reviewers paint a more positive picture overall. Many describe the sound as crisp, clear, and satisfying, with thumpy bass that is present without being overwhelming—a departure from the reputation Beats products have historically carried. Several reviewers explicitly compared the Powerbeats Pro favorably against standard AirPods, noting better bass response and overall richer sound. One reviewer who tested multiple earbuds across price points found the Powerbeats Pro delivered good bass, midrange presence, and clear highs, though they noted the Sony WF-1000XM4 had a slightly fuller overall sound.

A dissenting minority found the sound lacking. One self-identified musician with sound engineering experience criticized the mids as scooped, with treble and bass boosted in a way that made music sound cheap. Another reviewer flagged a hissing quality in the high treble, particularly noticeable with podcast speech containing sibilant consonants. That reviewer found that using the largest eartips and achieving a deep seal mitigated the treble issue while enhancing bass.

The consensus across both professional and user reviews suggests that sound quality is heavily dependent on achieving a proper seal. Multiple reviewers emphasized that experimenting with eartip sizes is essential—the right seal transforms the audio from thin and tinny to rich and balanced.

Fit and Comfort

Fit is the Powerbeats Pro’s defining strength. TechRadar calls the fit immaculate and the design supremely comfortable, noting that the buds seem to never, ever fall out. PCMag describes the in-ear fit as exceptionally secure and says it is hard to imagine the earphones falling out during exercise. SoundGuys awards comfort an 8.0, the highest individual metric.

The earhook design is the key differentiator. Multiple customer reviewers who had failed with AirPods, AirPods Pro, Galaxy Buds, and budget brands specifically cited the wraparound hook as the reason they finally found earbuds that stay put. Reviewers reported using them for running, cycling, hiking, gym workouts, and even wearing them while lying down—something that was impossible with other designs.

Comfort, however, comes with caveats. GearLab scored comfort and fit at just 5.5, suggesting the experience is not universal. Several customer reviewers with small ears reported an initial break-in period ranging from uncomfortable to painful. One noted that the earhooks caused sensitivity and soreness where they rested, particularly in the right ear, though this improved over time. Another mentioned that the stock eartips were too large and caused discomfort until they swapped in smaller tips from a dollar store.

PCMag notes that the earbuds can be difficult to put in place properly at first, and if you wear glasses, you will likely want to remove them first—a consideration for the many people who wear prescription eyewear during exercise. One customer reviewer confirmed this, noting that the Powerbeats Pro work fine with straight-armed glasses but may be problematic with over-the-ear arms.

The general advice from both experts and users: expect an adjustment period. The first few weeks may feel awkward, but once your ears adapt and you find the right eartip size, the comfort level improves significantly. Several reviewers who nearly returned the product during the initial period were glad they persisted.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is a standout feature. The Powerbeats Pro deliver up to 9 hours of listening time per charge, with the charging case providing more than 24 hours total. PCMag lists strong battery life among its pros, and SoundGuys awards battery life a 7.7.

In real-world testing, battery performance has exceeded expectations. One customer reviewer reported getting approximately 38 hours of total playback on a single full charge of both earbuds and case during an international trip—far exceeding the rated 24 hours. Another reviewer noted that after a two-hour bike ride, the earbuds still showed 80% battery remaining.

Fast Fuel charging is a particularly appreciated feature. A 5-minute charge delivers 1.5 hours of playback when the battery is low, and customer reviewers confirmed that 10 to 15 minutes of charging provides enough power for a solid two-hour workout. The total charging time is listed at 1.5 hours.

The charging case uses a Lightning connector rather than USB-C, which has become a point of contention. Some users see it as a positive—being able to use the same cable as their iPhone means one less cable to carry. Others view it as an increasing liability as Apple transitions its newer devices to USB-C. SoundGuys notes that the case lacks wireless charging, a feature that competitors and the newer Powerbeats Pro 2 offer.

A reliability concern surfaced in multiple customer reviews: the right earbud sometimes turns on randomly while in the charging case overnight, draining its battery while the left earbud remains fully charged. This issue appears to be widely reported online and can leave users discovering a dead right bud just as they are heading out for a workout.

Connectivity and Controls

The Powerbeats Pro are built around Apple’s H1 chip, which enables seamless pairing with iOS devices. TechRadar lists easy pairing with iOS as a leading pro. SoundGuys highlights that the H1 chip allows for much greater flexibility and that the earbuds use Bluetooth 5.0 with Class 1 transmission for extended range and fewer dropouts.

For Apple users, the experience is frictionless. The earbuds pair automatically, connect quickly, and integrate with iCloud-connected devices. Multiple customer reviewers praised the connection as faster and more stable than original AirPods, with no dropouts or glitches during the first week of use. Auto play/pause functionality detects when the earbuds are removed and pauses content automatically.

Android users face a different experience. SoundGuys notes that the Powerbeats Pro only support AAC, which may lead Android users to prefer other options. One customer reviewer using the earbuds with an Android phone and MacBook Pro reported extensive glitches, including earbuds going out of sync with an echo effect, sound cutting in and out, buttons becoming unresponsive, and connection issues at specific locations. These experiences appeared to be location and movement dependent, suggesting potential interference sensitivity.

The Powerbeats Pro can only connect to one device at a time. While they pair to all Apple devices on an iCloud account, switching between devices requires going into Bluetooth settings and manually selecting the earbuds. Android users must pair each device separately. This limitation was noted by a customer reviewer who expected seamless multi-device switching.

Controls are physical rather than touch-based, which drew widespread praise. Each earbud has volume and track controls, and customer reviewers preferred the tactile buttons over the finicky touch controls used by other manufacturers. The buttons require minimal force, which one reviewer noted is both a benefit and a minor drawback—pressing against a pillow while side-sleeping can accidentally trigger controls.

Workout Performance

The Powerbeats Pro were designed primarily for exercise, and this is where they shine brightest. TechRadar calls them Apple’s most premium workout buds and recommends them as a top pick across multiple buyer’s guides. PCMag notes the reinforced sweat and water resistance design, and SoundGuys lists sweat resistance among the key benefits.

Customer reviewers consistently reported that the earbuds stay firmly in place during running, cycling, gym sessions, hiking, and other vigorous activities. Several users who had never found earbuds that stayed in during workouts described the Powerbeats Pro as transformative. The earhook design combined with the secure eartip seal creates a fit that multiple reviewers described as unshakeable.

Noise isolation is passive rather than active—the Powerbeats Pro lack active noise cancellation entirely. GearLab scored noise cancellation at 4.7 out of 10, and SoundGuys rated isolation at just 3.3. TechRadar lists limited noise isolation and the lack of noise cancellation among its cons. However, some customer reviewers noted that with a proper seal, the earbuds block out a surprising amount of ambient noise. One reviewer described the passive isolation as good enough that they could not imagine much better from in-ear buds, though they acknowledged it does not compare to over-ear headphones.

The absence of ANC is a notable gap at this price point. The AirPods Pro, launched at the same $249 price, include active noise cancellation and spatial audio. The newer Powerbeats Pro 2 addresses this with the H2 chip, adding ANC and spatial audio support. For the original Powerbeats Pro, the lack of noise cancellation is a conscious trade-off—Beats prioritized battery life and fit over noise reduction.

Call quality is competent but unremarkable. GearLab scored call quality at 5.8, and SoundGuys rated the microphone at 7.5. Customer reviewers generally found call audio clear with effective background noise cancellation, though one reviewer experienced disconnections during calls that forced them to return to their phone.

What Customers Are Saying

With over 82,000 ratings and a 4.4-star average on Amazon, the Powerbeats Pro have generated substantial user feedback. The dominant themes in customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive around fit security and sound quality.

The most frequent praise centers on the earhook design. Reviewers who had tried and failed with numerous other earbuds—including AirPods, AirPods Pro, Galaxy Buds, and various budget options—reported that the Powerbeats Pro finally solved the falling-out problem. Users with unusually small or large ears both found success, though often after experimenting with eartip sizes. Sound quality drew consistent praise for bass response, clarity, and balance, with many users noting the sound exceeded their expectations.

Battery life was another frequently praised area. Reviewers reported the earbuds lasting through long workouts, full workdays, and even international flights without depletion. The Fast Fuel quick-charge feature was repeatedly highlighted as a practical lifesaver.

On the complaint side, the bulky charging case was the most universally cited drawback. Nearly every reviewer mentioned it, noting that the case is too large for pockets and requires a bag or backpack. The Lightning connector drew mixed reactions—appreciated by iPhone users who can share cables, but criticized as outdated.

Comfort during the initial break-in period was a recurring concern. Reviewers with small ears particularly noted discomfort or pain during the first few uses, with some needing replacement eartips from third-party brands. The adjustment period was typically described as lasting a few weeks.

Reliability issues appeared in a minority of reviews but were concerning when present. The right earbud randomly activating in the case and draining its battery was reported by multiple users and appears to be a known issue. Sporadic buzzing noise on the right earbud was another recurring complaint. Some users also experienced connectivity glitches, particularly on Android, including audio sync drift between earbuds and intermittent connection drops.

Customer support experiences were mixed. One reviewer described a frustrating multi-month process involving repeated repairs that found no issues, while others had smooth warranty experiences. The Find My feature for locating misplaced earbuds was criticized as unhelpful—showing both earbuds as a single unit rather than individually, and being ineffective if the earbuds were left behind away from home.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Exceptionally secure fit that stays in place during intense workouts
Strong battery life with up to 9 hours per charge and 24+ hours with case
Fast Fuel quick charging provides 1.5 hours from a 5-minute charge
Physical tactile buttons preferred over touch controls
Seamless pairing and connectivity with Apple devices via H1 chip
Sweat and water resistant with IPX4 rating
Balanced sound with satisfying bass and clear highs when properly sealed
Four eartip sizes for fit customization

Cons

Charging case is bulky and too large for pocket carry
No active noise cancellation
Limited noise isolation compared to competitors
Lightning connector instead of USB-C
Only supports AAC codec, limiting appeal for Android users
Initial comfort adjustment period, especially for small ears
Can be difficult to insert properly at first
No wireless charging support
Known reliability issues with right earbud randomly discharging in case
Sculpted sound signature will not satisfy audiophiles seeking neutrality
Can only connect to one device at a time
Find My feature shows both earbuds as one unit, not individually

Verdict

The Beats Powerbeats Pro occupy a specific and well-earned niche: they are the true wireless earbuds for people whose primary requirement is that their earbuds stay put. If you have lost AirPods at the gym, watched Galaxy Buds roll across a treadmill, or given up on in-ear buds entirely because they will not stay seated, the Powerbeats Pro solve that problem definitively. The earhook design, combined with four eartip sizes and an adjustable fit, creates a security that no other Apple-ecosystem earbud matches.

The trade-offs are real. The case is bulky enough to be a genuine inconvenience. There is no active noise cancellation in a market where competitors at the same price point offer it. The sound signature is sculpted rather than neutral, and achieving the best audio requires patience with eartip experimentation. Android users will find better-optimized alternatives. And the reported reliability issues with the right earbud, while not universal, are concerning for a product at this price.

For iOS users who prioritize workout stability above all else, the Powerbeats Pro remain a strong choice, particularly at discounted prices. PCMag’s 4-star rating and TechRadar’s recommendation as Apple’s premium workout bud both hold up. However, shoppers should also consider the Powerbeats Pro 2, which addresses several of the original’s weaknesses—adding ANC, a lighter case, wireless charging, and a heart rate monitor—albeit at full retail price. The original Powerbeats Pro at a discount versus the Pro 2 at full price is the real decision for most buyers, and for fitness-focused users willing to accept the limitations, the original still earns its place.

Specifications

Brand: Beats
Manufacturer: Apple
Model Number: MY5D2LL/A
ASIN: B07W5JZBVJ
Chip: Apple H1
Bluetooth: Class 1, Bluetooth 5.0
Water/Sweat Resistance: IPX4
Battery Life (Earbuds): Up to 9 hours
Battery Life (With Case): More than 24 hours
Fast Fuel Charging: 5 minutes yields 1.5 hours of playback
Total Charging Time: 1.5 hours
Connector: Lightning to USB-A
Earbud Dimensions: 5.1 x 4.1 x 3.8 cm
Case Dimensions: 8.1 x 8.1 x 3.6 cm
Weight (Earbuds): 21 grams
Weight (Earbuds and Case): 130 grams
Eartip Sizes: Four options included
Available Colors: Black, Ivory, Navy
Active Noise Cancellation: No
Controls: Volume and track controls on each earbud, voice capability, auto play/pause
Codec Support: AAC
Date First Available: August 22, 2019
List Price: $249

No products found.