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If the news of an updated set of Beats earbuds makes your heartbeat a little faster, big news! The Latest Power Beats Pro 2 will actually be able to track that heart rate change!
This week, Beats unveiled a new iteration of their most high-end workout earbuds. They feature a new colour scheme, improvements to the case, a sleeker fit. Oh yeah, and heart rate monitoring!
This could be the biggest upgrade the company has ever done between generations of products. But is it enough to make you upgrade? We've had a chance to test these out for nearly two weeks, so it's time to find out!
Upgrades to design, battery, and more!
The Power Beats Pro earbuds have gotten sleeker but more feature-rich with the release of the Power Beats 2. The most distinguished feature of Power Beats lineup is the unique ear hook which is a love-it-or-hate-it feature, but keeps your earbuds securely in place during the most rigorous of physical activities.
I am coming off of using the Beats Fit Pro as my main workout headphones, which I liked because they felt quite secure thanks to the wingtips that slide into your ear. The Power Beats Pro are a next level aparatrus for keeping your earbuds in place even during the most strenuous activities.
Lately I've been on a kick of doing treadmill intervals broken up by pushups. Even as the sweat starts to increase over the course of a 60 minute workout, these buds simply do not move from their place in my ear. Going from running on the treadmill to hitting the ground for pushups these things remain solidly in place thanks to their earhook design.
That earhook has a stronger nickel alloy material on the inside and is wrapped in four different shades on the outside (including a slick new "electric orange" finish). The overall design is a bit smaller and sleeker than the previous model, which is an impressive feat since they've crammed a bunch of new and improved technology into the buds
H2 Chip
Talking about chips and processors is boring to most people (we just care what the product does, less so how) so I'll just say that the improvements to battery life, acoustic quality, and features, all while maintaining a slick design, is thanks to Apple's H2 chip (which is in all of the AirPods models that were updated in 2024 including the AirPods Pro 2 which came out in 2022).
This enables better battery life and performance including:
- 45 hours of total playback with noise cancelling turned off (buds and case combined)
- 36 hours of total playback with ANC on (buds and case combined)
- 10 hours of playback with just the buds (ANC off)
- 8 hours of playback with just the buds (ANC on)
- 5 minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback
If you're used to either AirPods or previous Beats headhpones the seamless device switching will feel familiar and flawless with these new buds. Often when I'm exercising in my home gym, I'll start off listening to playlists on my phone and then switch to doing classes on my Apple TV. The latest buds don't miss a beat (pun intendend) which would be the expectation for a device with Apple's H2 chip.
Plus, that H2 chip is supporting efficient operation for the Power Beats 2's newest feature: heart rate monitoring.
Heart rate monitoring wireless earbuds
We are living in the future! The same technology that has been present on the Apple Watch for the past few years has been miniaturized to power heart rate monitoring on the Power Beats Pro 2.
With both earbuds in, you can receive real time heart rate monitoring during your workouts. Readings occur 100x per second as the sensor shines a bright light to sense your heart rate. There's also a photo diode that receives light information back and giving a sense of how your body is modulating blood flow, and the earbuds built-in motion sensors further improve accuracy.
The result is accurate heart rate tracking during workouts which is sent to the Health app (assuming you're using iPhone). This integrates in third party apps (like Peloton) if you give them permission to access the Health app. If you're on Android, you can still use this feature in third party apps, but you'll have to activate it for each workout (by double pressing on the buds and then holding).
For readings to work, you'll need to have both buds on. If you're wearing an Apple Watch AND using the earbuds, then Health will prioritize Apple Watch readings. Because of this heirarchy, I don't think I'll be using the heart rate sensor much (since I am almost always wearing my Apple Watch during workouts). But everyone has different exercise routines, so if you want to hit the trail with minimal gear while still getting maximum metrics tracking, having the HR sensor in the buds will be a wonderful addition!
Additional Power Beats Pro 2 features
The biggest news with the redesign is certainly the heart rate sensor, but that's not the only improvements.
- Redesigned case (smaller and more compact)
- Wireless charing for case
- 5th eartip size included for better fit (xs, s, m, l, xl)
- New vent design to improve acoustics
- Additional audio architecture changes (for better sound)
- Transparency mode, dynamic headtracking, improved ANC
The combination of all the changes listed above adds up to a major overall upgraded from the original version of the Power Beats.
When do the Power Beats Pro 2 Go On Sale?
As of Febuary 13, 2025 the latest version of the Power Beats earbuds hit stores. The Power Beats 2 launched in four colours (purple, orange, off-white, and black) and retail for $349 Canadian.
Wireless Ear Buds
Power Beats Pro 2
Geeking Out Shop
These are quite possibly the most secure fit you'll ever find in a wireless earbud. For serious athletes or anyone who feels like their current earbuds aren't cutting it during workouts, the Power Beats Pro 2 will be an excellent upgrade. They're feature-trich, play nicely between Apple and Android devices, and come in four colour options.
The pricing puts these in the luxury/premium tier of earbud. A good alternative might be the Beats Fit Pro; however they're not as feature-rich, but if you're looking for a secure-fitting wireless earbud that costs a bit less they're worth checking out.
Are The Power Beats Pro 2 Worth It?
After about two weeks of testing, I have no complaints about the Power Beats Pro 2.
The biggest adjustment was getting used to the earhook design. At first, it's not as easy to put on as a traditional wireless earbud, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes a non-issue.
I was worried about the comfort, particularly if I got sweaty during a workout, of having something wrapped around the back of my ear but once they're on, you basically don't feel them. Beats did a really fantastic job with designign these so you can wear them for a long time with no discomfort.
I like the fact that there's physical volume buttons on both earbuds. I find using the multi-function button on the Power Beats Pro 2 a little uncomfortable. Compared to a touch-sensitive surface like what you have on the stem of AirPods or the panel on Pixel Buds Pro, having a physical button to push that sits above your ear canal, puts a little pressure on your ear. I've found this sensation across Beats buds (including my beloved Fit Pros and the Studio Buds), but for the most part, I'm not pushing those buttons very often.
These are much pricier than your average wireless earbud, but they're intended for unique users, who may not find a design that services high intensity activities quite as well with any other type of wireless earbud.
If you want the most locked-in fit, want accurate heart rate ratings without the use of of a watch or chest band, or are looking for an earbud with all the bells and whistles for fitness and everyday fun, the Power Beats Pro 2 are at the cutting edge of the latest technology available in a wireless earbud.
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