Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Premium sound with ‘first-time’ features

Rating - 4/5
Beats has long been synonymous with high-quality audio and a premium listening experience. Known for its stylish design, deep bass signature, and seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem, the brand has built a strong reputation among music lovers and fitness enthusiasts alike. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, the successor to Beats Powerbeats Pro continues this legacy, offering a wireless, high-performance solution for those who demand durability, great sound, and a secure fit. Priced at Rs 29,900 in India, the Powerbeats Pro 2 positions itself as a premium offering in the true wireless earbuds category. But does it justify its price tag with improvements in sound quality, battery life, and overall usability? Let’s find out.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 enhance the design of their predecessors, retaining the iconic ear-hook style while effectively tackling issues of bulk and improving overall comfort. The earbuds are now 20% lighter, and the ear hooks have been reduced by 50%, making them more ergonomic. The flexible silicone ear hooks provide a secure fit, ensuring the earbuds stay in place even during high-intensity workouts. Whether it’s running, weight training, or even burpees, they remain firmly in place without requiring constant adjustments. Despite their snug fit, they remain comfortable for long listening sessions, though some users might feel slight pressure after wearing them continuously for several hours.


Beats has also retained the physical controls, a welcome feature for those who prefer tactile buttons over touch-sensitive controls. Each earbud features a multifunction ‘b’ button for playback and noise-canceling control, along with a volume rocker for easy adjustments. These buttons are responsive and intuitive, making them easy to use even during workouts when touch controls can be unreliable.
The charging case has been significantly reduced in size—33% smaller than the previous version—making it more portable. However, it’s still not as compact as some of the more pocket-friendly cases available in the true wireless earbuds market. That said, it holds enough battery for 3.5 additional charges, providing a total of up to 45 hours of listening time.
Overall, the Powerbeats Pro 2 strike a balance between stability and comfort, making them a strong contender for those who need workout-friendly earbuds without compromising on day-to-day usability.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 come packed with features aimed at improving your workout and listening experience. A significant upgrade from the previous model is the inclusion of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). ANC is great and a game-changer for this lineup. It blocks out background noise effectively, making workouts, commutes, and daily activities much more immersive. Whether it's drowning out gym music, muting office chatter, or reducing outside noise during a run, it works impressively well. When situational awareness is necessary, such as during outdoor runs, the Transparency mode lets in external sounds, ensuring safety and awareness of surroundings.
One standout feature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the built-in optical heart rate monitor, which measures your pulse directly through your ears. These sensors are positioned on the part of the earbud that touches the inside of your tragus, providing real-time heart rate readings. They only work when both earbuds are worn, comparing data from both ears before sending a reading to a connected device via Bluetooth every five seconds.



During our testing, the heart rate tracking proved to be accurate. The earbuds stayed securely in place during workouts, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring. However, to use this feature, an appropriate fitness app is required. On iPhone, heart rate data syncs with the Apple Health app. On Android, the function with most apps that support Bluetooth heart rate monitors. While Beats and Apple don’t have a dedicated workout app for the earbuds, their compatibility with popular fitness platforms makes them a useful tool for tracking exercise intensity.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 delivers a balanced sound profile with a slight emphasis on bass, catering to those who prefer a dynamic audio experience during workouts. Songs like Sicko Mode by Travis Scott showcase a deep, rumbling sub-bass that hits hard but remains controlled. In Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, the thumping bassline feels punchy and tight, adding to the track’s dark, energetic vibe.
Mids are well-defined, keeping vocals and instruments clear and natural. Listening to Someone Like You by Adele, her voice comes through with warmth and richness, sitting perfectly in the mix without being drowned by the low end. In Hotel California by Eagles, the acoustic guitar sounds crisp, and every note is distinct, making it easy to appreciate the song’s intricate layering.

Highs are bright and detailed without becoming harsh. Tracks like Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen highlight how well the earbuds handle dynamic shifts, keeping Freddie Mercury’s soaring vocals and the layered harmonies crystal clear.
Adaptive EQ dynamically fine-tunes frequencies in real-time, enhancing sound quality by considering the earbuds' fit and seal. This guarantees clear and balanced audio across various music genres and listening conditions. Equipped with Apple's H2 chip and Bluetooth 5.3, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a stable and seamless connection, particularly with Apple devices. Features like one-touch pairing, automatic switching between devices via iCloud, and hands-free Siri activation enhance the user experience within the Apple ecosystem. Android users also benefit from reliable connectivity and can access customization options through the Beats app, ensuring a versatile experience across platforms.
Physical buttons on each earbud allow for easy control of playback, volume, and call management. The tactile feedback ensures accurate command execution, even during intense workouts. This design choice enhances usability, particularly when compared to touch-sensitive controls that can be less responsive in active scenarios.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 can easily provide up to 10 hours of playback with ANC activated and up to 45 hours when combined with the charging case. A quick five-minute charge offers approximately 1.5 hours of playback, which is convenient for users needing a rapid power boost before heading out. The case supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging, adding to the convenience.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 successfully refined what made the original model great while adding key upgrades that enhance the overall experience. The lightweight design and improved ergonomics make them more comfortable for long listening sessions and secure for intense workouts. Active Noise Cancellation is a welcome addition.Adaptive EQ optimizes the sound based on fit, making for a consistent experience across genres. The heart rate monitoring feature is a useful addition for fitness enthusiasts, providing accurate tracking when paired with compatible apps.
Battery life remains a strong point, delivering up to 10 hours per charge and a total of 45 hours with the case. Apple’s H2 chip guarantees smooth connectivity, particularly within the Apple ecosystem, while still offering solid support for Android users through the Beats app. At Rs 29,900, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are undeniably premium, but they justify their price with their combination of sound quality, durability, and fitness-focused features.