Apple recently launched the Powerbeats Pro ‘totally wireless earphones‘ after first teasing them in March. The Powerbeats Pro launch comes just a few weeks after Apple unveiled the AirPods 2 with a new H1 headphone chip and longer battery life. The Powerbeats Pro is notably more expensive than the AirPods 2 but does it offer additional features that make it worth the price? How is it better than the AirPods? Find out in this comparison.

Powerbeats Pro vs AirPods 2 Comparison: What’s the Difference

How They Are Similar

• The Powerbeats Pro and AirPods 2 are both truly wireless Bluetooth earbuds. This means the left and right pair of buds talk to each other wirelessly and are not connected to each other using a wire.
• They both ship with a charging case that can extend their total listening time to over 24 hours.
• Both wireless earbuds offer always-on “Hey Siri” recognition.
  • Powerbeats Pro and AirPods 2 use Apple’s new H1 headphone chip for improved battery life, lower latency, and better wireless connection.
• The earbuds of both products can be used as a standalone unit.
  • Music playback can be controlled on the Powerbeats Pro and AirPods 2 directly by interacting with the earbuds.
• Both Bluetooth earbuds will stop playing music automatically when you take them off your ears.
• They can seamlessly connect to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

How They Are Different

There’s a lot of difference between the Powerbeats Pro and the AirPods 2.

Design and Sound Quality

• The Powerbeats Pro have an in-ear ear hook design which means they have a more secure fit than the 2nd gen AirPods.
  • Each AirPod 2 unit is lighter than the Powerbeats Pro.
  • Powerbeats Pro is meant for athletes so they are water and sweat resistant, unlike the AirPods.
• Powerbeats Pro is available in four different colors — Ivory, Moss, Navy, and Black
  • 2nd gen AirPods are only available in white.
• AirPods have a more discrete and convenient design while the Powerbeats Pro offers a more secure and comfortable fit.
• Powerbeats Pro offers better sound quality. It has a wider dynamic range and offers noise isolation.
  • AirPods 2 offer mediocre sound quality.

Battery Life and Charging Case

• The Powerbeats Pro offers up to 9 hours of listening time on a single charge
  • AirPods 2 last for 5 hours on a single charge.
• Both Bluetooth earbuds will last for more than 24 hours with the included charging case.
• The AirPods 2 ship with an optional wireless charging case.
  • The Powerbeats Pro charging case only offers wired charging. It has a Lightning connector.
  • There’s no fast charging on the Powerbeats Pro

Price

• The AirPods 2 start from $159, with the variant with the optional wireless charging case available for $199
  • The Powerbeats Pro is available for $249.99.

The Powerbeats Pro is more expensive than the AirPods 2 but it offers a secure fit, longer battery life, better sound quality, and a water-resistant design. These are things that many AirPods customers wished the AirPods 2 had and Apple is giving it to them in the form of the Powerbeats Pro.

In a nutshell, the Powerbeats Pro seems to have everything that people wished the AirPods 2 packed. It does come at a steep price but if you value better sound quality and water-resistant design, that’s the way to go.

Buy: Powerbeats Pro | AirPods 2

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