As someone who writes for a living, travels frequently, and takes long walks, my headphones are something I reach for a lot throughout the day. From listening to classical music so I can concentrate, to talking on the phone with my family and friends, or watching a movie on a long flight, it’s not unusual for me to spend hours of my day using them.
I’ve always been a little late to the party as far as technology goes, so I wasn’t sure I would need anything too technically advanced or more premium as far as headphones go. However, once I was introduced to the PowerBeats Pro Wireless Earbuds, I quickly realized some items are worth the cost. I’ve tried many headphones in the last several years, including more budget-friendly options, the Apple Airpods, and more.
Keep reading my PowerBeats Pro Wireless review to find out why these are at the top of my favorite’s list, even after owning them for over a year.
Powerbeats Pro - True Wireless Earbuds
Unboxing and first impressions
I purchased the earbuds on my own, so the PowerBeats Pro Wireless earbuds arrived as they would for anyone—in a sleek, black square box, ready for unboxing. The box contains the square-shaped charging case, two earbuds, four earbud size options so you can find the best fit for your ears, a charging cord, and a QuickStart guide. I probably should have read through the QuickStart Guide more thoroughly, but I wasn’t too patient and figured out how to connect them right away without much guidance.
Connecting the PowerBeats Pro earbuds to your device is surprisingly simple, which is one of the most positive aspects to me. You simply turn your bluetooth connection on, open the charging case, hold the black button down for a few seconds, and follow the prompts. You can name your Beats whatever you like, so you can easily recognize them when you need to reconnect them.
Another great aspect of having such an easy connection and set up is it can connect to any device in seconds. So if you have an iPad or laptop you use, you can switch from one to another without hassle.
Pros and cons
Pros
The PowerBeats Pro offer a long list of advantages, but a few in particular make them most enjoyable for me. For starters, the wireless earbud design wraps around your ear, so it fits snuggly and the earhook design means you don’t have to worry about them slipping or falling out. It’s a well-fitting design while you’re walking, exercising, or even sitting at your computer.
Not only do they fit like a glove, they’re comfortable, even when watching a long movie or an extended workout.
The sound quality is second to none, both for listening to music and talking on the phone. You can hear the music or voices crystal clear and it’s balanced. When I’m walking and talking on the phone, whoever I’m talking to usually comments on how they can hear the birds chirping in the background. Plus, the sound rivals that of a stereo system and sounds like a symphony in your ear, without the tin can sound often associated with wireless earbuds or headphones.
Another quality that sets these apart is the battery life. You get nine hours of listening time when the earbuds are fully charged. Once you place them in the charging case, they start charging right away and quickly, so you can enjoy using them again sooner. I don’t have to charge the charging case very often either, compared to a smartphone or tablet, but when I do, it doesn’t take too long for a full charge. And it does come with a charger.
Cons
The PowerBeats Pro may offer a couple of drawbacks for you though. For one, the price is hefty in my opinion, since it retails for $249.95. While I find this is worth it to me as often as I use them and as many months as I’ve had them without any issues, it’s still a significant amount of money for technology, so you’ll have to weigh whether this works for your budget.
Secondly, the drawback to the earhook design is you can’t easily rest or fall asleep with them. They’re not comfortable if you lie on your side. Additionally, they do stick out and it’s obvious you’re wearing them. If you’re looking for a discreet earbud, then these may not work for you.
Lastly, the charging case is bulky, especially compared to other versions available. It makes sense because it has to house the larger ear hooks, but it’s not a case you can easily fit in your pocket or small pouch. It’s also not a wireless charging case either, which could be an issue if you don’t have the charger with you or can’t plug in.
Price
As mentioned, the PowerBeats Pro Wireless Earbuds retail for $249.95 and includes the two earbuds, charging case, and charger. You can purchase them through the Apple website or you can purchase some colors on Amazon. I’ve seen sale prices for them through both websites, so it pays to watch for promotions throughout the year where you may be able to score more savings.
Powerbeats Pro - True Wireless Earbuds
Specifications
Pros:
- Drivers: 0.9 inches high x 2.3 inches long x 1.5 inches wide
- Active noise cancellation: No; noise-filtering
- Battery life: Rechargeable lithium-ion lasts 9 hours for earbuds and 24 hours with charging case
- Charge time: 5-Minute Fast Fuel charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback, full charge takes about 2.5 hours
- Weight: Earbuds weigh 11 grams each, charging case weighs 80 grams
- Connectivity: Bluetooth and wireless
- Frequency range: Class 1 Bluetooth Extended
- Waterproofing: IPX4-rated sweat- and water-resistance
- Compatibility: Apple and Android products
Key features
High performance for workouts
Since it doesn’t have wires, these earbuds make it even easier while exercising. It has a rich sound, plus sweat or water won’t hold them back thanks to its PX4-rated sweat- and water-resistance.
Versatile connectivity
You can still get the same great sound quality with only one earbud if you need to keep one out for any reason. The Bluetooth connectivity allows you the option of adjusting volume, skipping tracks, or pausing either on your phone or directly with the earbud. Plus, it has built-in voice recognition, so you can have texts read to you, receive calls, and more.
Long playback time
When your earbuds are fully charged, they can last nine hours for playback, or up to 24 hours if you have your charging case with you. The PowerBeats Pro has a unique feature where you can get a Fast-Fuel charge for five minutes, which gives you an hour and a half more of playback time without waiting for the full charge.
Are the PowerBeats Pro Wireless earbuds for you?
The PowerBeats Pro Wireless earbuds are absolutely worth the $249.95, as long as it fits comfortably in your ear. If the fit is right, you won’t be disappointed in the sound quality, durability, and versatility of when you use them.
The PowerBeats Pro perform well in a variety of settings, from an airplane, to my desk, or around my house when I’m trying to drown out the sound of my loud family (mostly kidding, of course).
Sound
The PowerBeats Pro has a great deal of technology around it, but the bottom line is the sound is crisp and clear. I never find it muffled or far away. I can easily adjust the sound settings on my phone or by touching the sensor on the earbud. Music and conversation also sound balanced and you get a fully immersive experience when you have them on.
Battery life
The battery life also impressed me. The earbuds consistently last up to nine hours on a charge (up to 24 hours if you use your case), and after having them for over a year I can attest that the battery life remains just as strong as when I pulled them out of the box. I also love the quick charge, where you can charge them for five minutes and get another hour and a half of playback time immediately after.
Bluetooth range
Apple’s website doesn’t provide the exact range for Bluetooth, but describes it as extended. It features a Class 1 Bluetooth rating, which is supposed to extend the length compared to models with a Class 2 Bluetooth rating (which offers a 30 foot range). I conducted my own test outside and found it could extend around 60 feet before it dropped out on me.
Design and build quality
After over a year of consistent use, both in the home and out, the build quality continues to impress me, but I recognize it might not have the most sleek or unobtrusive design.
Style
The ear hooks are not as streamlined or slender as other earbud models, but I’m willing to sacrifice this for the comfort and stability they offer. I also find the ear hook design is easier to spot if you accidentally drop them or set them down somewhere.
Comfort
The ear hook design also lends itself to greater comfort. Once they’re in, they’re in — and they’re not going anywhere. Having four options for earbud sizing is also crucial with finding the right comfort level, and I find once you have the right fit then you barely notice you’re wearing them.
Controls
Each earbud has unique sensors and allows you to adjust the volume, skip or pause a song, and talk to Siri. Once you remove both earbuds it automatically pauses the conversation or stops the music. I personally use the controls on my phone more when it’s connected, only because I often forget the earbuds have multiple built-in functions.
Portability
It doesn’t bother me to have a larger charging case on too many occasions, since I often have a backpack or tote bag with me, but the case size could be an issue for some. I also don’t mind the larger size because it’s easier for me to locate on my desk or bedside table.
Durability
After many months of use while walking, traveling, and working, the earbuds have held up and sound as good as they did the day I unboxed them. One of the earbuds even survived getting used as a chew toy by my dog, but I wouldn’t recommend letting this happen on a regular basis.
PowerBeats Pro compared to AirPods Pro
I’ve owned a pair of the Apple AirPods Pro before purchasing the PowerBeats Pro and can offer several comparisons. The Apple Airpods also have a great sound quality to them, especially for making phone calls. Like the PowerBeats Pro, they have a microphone and Bluetooth connections and you can use them for a wide range of activities. They have noise-filtering properties but only last around five hours when charged (for the model I have).
The Apple AirPods charging case is much smaller and easier to tuck away into small spaces, which could put it at an advantage. They also have a few design options, so you can find a model that fits you the best and may be more budget-friendly, with prices ranging from $129 to $249.
In my opinion, the Apple AirPods don’t fit as well and I could never position them correctly to stay inside my ear. It’s a frustrating experience when the fit isn’t right and I would lose them on more than one occasion after they fell out.
Overall, the PowerBeats Pro offer a superior sound to the AirPods Pro, but the AirPods Pro offer greater portability.
Final verdict
I think the PowerBeats Pro is worth the investment for anyone looking for a fantastic sound experience, sweat- and water-resistance, and a long playback time. I also find them incredibly comfortable, but ultimately this will depend on the size of your ear canal. If you do find the right fit, you’ll likely be as impressed as I am with the sound quality, which is clear, crisp, and balanced.
Powerbeats Pro - True Wireless Earbuds
