Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2
For premium wireless earbuds shoppers, the Powerbeats Pro 2 from Beats and the AirPods Pro 2 from Apple are two of the obvious candidates. The spec sheets tilt toward the Powerbeats Pro 2, which leads in 2 of 3 areas and opens its biggest gap on battery & charging.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging Powerbeats Pro 2 wins
- Features & Connectivity Powerbeats Pro 2 wins
- Price AirPods Pro 2 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging8.2
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging4.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 has 2 h more listening per charge
For battery (single charge), the Powerbeats Pro 2 leads by a wide margin: 8 h versus 6 h. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
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The AirPods Pro 2 has a 0.12 oz lighter build
This is a headline difference. With 0.19 oz to the Powerbeats Pro 2’s 0.31 oz, the AirPods Pro 2 has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. The AirPods Pro 2 puts less weight on your ears or head, which adds up over a full day.
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The Powerbeats Pro 2 has 6 h more total battery with the case
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is slightly stronger on battery (with case). The gap, 36 h versus 30 h, won’t change your life, but it isn’t nothing. A bigger total means fewer case charges per week, a small but real convenience.
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The AirPods Pro 2 has
Put simply, the AirPods Pro 2 is far ahead here: 1.79 oz compared with 2.43 oz. A lighter case is easier to carry in a pocket or a small bag.
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The AirPods Pro 2 has a tougher IP54 rating
If everything else were equal, this small edge would favor the AirPods Pro 2: IP54 against IPX4. The AirPods Pro 2 is better protected, which matters if you run in all weather.
Design & Size
The AirPods Pro 2 undercuts the Powerbeats Pro 2 by 0.12 oz on weight.
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.19 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.79 oz (winner) |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
If sound & noise cancelling matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. So sound & noise cancelling is a non-factor here; move on to the areas where they actually differ.
Battery & Charging
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads
In this area the Powerbeats Pro 2 has a lead the AirPods Pro 2 can’t close. The Powerbeats Pro 2 makes its case with 2 h more listening per charge. The Powerbeats Pro 2 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast. Prioritize battery & charging, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 is where you should land.
Battery (single charge)
Powerbeats Pro 2: 8 h AirPods Pro 2: 6 h Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary.
Battery (with case)
Powerbeats Pro 2: 36 h AirPods Pro 2: 30 h Total battery with the case tells you how long you can go before plugging anything in.
Features & Connectivity
Powerbeats Pro 2 leads
On balance, the Powerbeats Pro 2 leads the features & connectivity section, just not by much. The Powerbeats Pro 2 pulls ahead with built-in heart-rate sensing. Built-in heart-rate sensing lets you track workouts without wearing a watch or chest strap. So if features & connectivity tops your list, lean toward the Powerbeats Pro 2.
Heart-rate sensing
Powerbeats Pro 2: yes AirPods Pro 2: no The Powerbeats Pro 2 can measure your heart rate during exercise; the AirPods Pro 2 leaves that to other devices.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 8 h (winner) | 6 h |
| Battery (with case)Manufacturer rating | 36 h (winner) Most total battery | 30 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C (Lightning on the original 2022 version) |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth (Apple H2 chip) | Bluetooth 5.3 (Apple H2 chip) |
| Heart-rate sensing | Yes (winner) | No |
| Hearing health features | N/A (not specified) | Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection |
| Controls | Physical button + volume rocker on each earbud | Force sensor, swipe for volume |
Fit & Build
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Ear-hook | In-ear with stem |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IP54 (winner) |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 0.31 oz Heaviest in class | 0.19 oz (winner) |
| Case weight | 2.43 oz | 1.79 oz (winner) |
Price
| Spec | Powerbeats Pro 2 | AirPods Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $250 | $249 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Powerbeats Pro 2 carried a slight premium of $1 at launch. The AirPods Pro 2 saves $1, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 answers with 2 h more listening per charge and 6 h more total battery with the case.
These are US launch prices, recorded February 2025; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Powerbeats Pro 2 if…
- you want longer listening per charge (8 h vs 6 h)
- you travel a lot and rarely want to charge the case (36 h vs 30 h)
- you want built-in heart-rate sensing
Choose the AirPods Pro 2 if…
- you wear them for hours and want less weight on your ears (0.19 oz vs 0.31 oz)
- you want the lighter case (1.79 oz vs 2.43 oz)
- you work out hard or get caught in the rain (IP54 vs IPX4)
- you want more value for your money ($1 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 2?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for a 0.12 oz lighter build.
Does the Powerbeats Pro 2 last longer on a charge than the AirPods Pro 2?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 does better here. It lists 8 h for battery (single charge), while the AirPods Pro 2 lists 6 h.
Which costs less, the Powerbeats Pro 2 or the AirPods Pro 2?
Going by launch prices, the AirPods Pro 2 costs $1 less than the Powerbeats Pro 2. Prices as of February 2025; current offers may differ.
Is the Powerbeats Pro 2 lighter than the AirPods Pro 2?
The AirPods Pro 2 is lighter, by 0.12 oz.
Executive Summary
The Powerbeats Pro 2 versus the AirPods Pro 2 is a matchup I find genuinely interesting, because Beats and Apple made different bets. The Powerbeats Pro 2 wins me over with 2 h more listening per charge. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the Powerbeats Pro 2 has built-in heart-rate sensing. The AirPods Pro 2 has a trump card of its own in a 0.12 oz lighter build.
Who should get which? The Powerbeats Pro 2 for battery & charging, the AirPods Pro 2 for comfort.
My pick: the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the one I’d buy, unless you value a 0.12 oz lighter build above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.