Beats Powerbeats Pro Review

Gym-Tested. Street-Approved. Earbuds That Actually Stick Around.

Let’s start with a scene you probably know too well.

You're midway through a run. Heart's thumping. Music's blasting. You’re flying—until bam—your left earbud says goodbye, somersaults onto the pavement, and rolls away like it’s got unfinished business elsewhere.

We’ve all been there. That’s why I picked up the Beats Powerbeats Pro. And spoiler alert: they don't quit mid-song or mid-squat.

Here’s the no-fluff, sweat-tested truth about these hook-style, wireless, Apple-fueled earbuds that promise to stay with you—no matter how fast, loud, or reckless your workout (or commute) gets.

Who’s This For?

If your lifestyle includes any form of movement beyond binge-watching Netflix, the Powerbeats Pro might already be whispering your name.

• Fitness folks who’ve had enough of earbuds ghosting mid-jump rope.

• Apple users who want AirPods, but wish they had biceps.

• Android folks who don’t mind missing a few Apple-only tricks in exchange for no more earbud slippage.

Basically, if your earbuds need to stay put, sound good, and survive sweat, you’re in the right aisle.

First Impressions: These Mean Business

Unboxing these things, two thoughts popped into my head:

1. They look serious.
2. That case is not fitting into any skinny jeans pocket.

The earbuds themselves? All smooth curves and slick finishes. No shiny plastic here. They look like they belong in a Mission Impossible briefing. The ear hooks? Soft, flexible, and confidence-inducing. These aren’t for lounging. They’re for action.

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Bonus: You get four different ear tips. You’ll probably try them all, swear none work, and then come crawling back to the second smallest one.

The Fit: Lock and Load

Let’s talk stability.

You know when something clicks into place and just feels right? That’s what happens with the Powerbeats Pro. Once they’re on, they stay on.

• Burpees? No bounce.

• Sprints? No wiggle.

• Pull-ups? No slippage.

I wore these through a full upper-body day, a city commute, and an accidental nap. Zero repositioning. I’ve got ears that reject 90% of earbuds. These? They passed with honors.

Small catch: If you wear glasses, there may be some light ear real estate battles. But it’s manageable, and far less annoying than a dangling earbud mid-push-up.

That Charging Case Though…

It’s big. Like—carries-a-prescription kind of big.

But it’s also sturdy. Think of it as the earbuds' armored van. You’re not throwing it in your jeans, but your gym bag? No problem.

Inside, the magnets lock the earbuds in like they owe it money. No slipping out or misalignment issues here. Some folks say Gen 2 improved this further with stronger magnets and USB‑C. I say even Gen 1 gets the job done.

Battery-wise? Powerbeats Pro laughs at your “6 hours” AirPods.

• 9 to 11 hours per earbud.

• Case gives around 24–30 more.

• A quick 5‑min charge gives 1.5 hours of use.

Unless you’re planning to run a marathon while DJing one, you’re covered.

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Sound That Surprises

You’d expect these to be bass-heavy, right? Beats reputation and all. But honestly? They’ve matured.

Yes, you get punch. But it’s controlled. Vocals are crisp. Highs are sharp. Drums slap but don’t drown the rest.

Compared to AirPods Pro:

• More impact during workouts.

• Slightly less clarity in podcasts.

• No active noise canceling (in Gen 1), but decent isolation via good fit.

Gen 2 adds ANC and Transparency Mode. If that’s your jam, maybe scroll down to the “Upgrade?” section. Otherwise, Gen 1 still sounds rock solid for what they are.

Controls: Old School, But Solid

No touch-sensitive nonsense here. Actual physical buttons. And I love it.

You get:

• Volume rocker on each bud.

• Multi-function “B” button for play/pause/skip/calls/Siri.

• Auto pause when you yank one out mid-sentence.

It’s simple, tactile, and doesn’t require a YouTube tutorial to use. Only downside? If your hands are sweaty or you’re wearing gloves, the buttons might need a bit of extra thumb love.

Water Resistance: Sweat It Out

They’re IPX4-rated. That’s tech-speak for: they’ll survive your sweatiest gym session, a light drizzle, or a panicked sprint through the rain.
But swimming? Nope.
Shower while wearing them? Hard pass.

For anything short of diving into a lake mid-run (which… why?), they’ll hold up just fine.

Daily Use: From Gym to Grocery Runs

I didn’t just wear these at the gym. They followed me everywhere:

• Walking the dog? Check.

• Grocery run? Check.

• Zoom call at 8:00 a.m. with bedhead? Check.

Mic quality is solid. Not studio-grade, but no one asked me to repeat myself. And the H1 chip makes switching between iPhone, iPad, and MacBook a breeze. Android users won’t get the fancy Apple pairing magic, but basic Bluetooth still works reliably.

Upgrade? Gen 2 Gets Fancy

So you’re tempted by the newer model?

Here’s the scoop:

• Active Noise Cancellation ✅

• Transparency Mode ✅

• Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking ✅

• USB‑C instead of Lightning ✅

• Slightly smaller case and more compact design ✅

If ANC and all those audio-enhancing extras matter, Gen 2 is worth a peek. If your main concern is earbuds that stay locked in and pump out good sound? Gen 1 still punches way above its weight.

The Bottom Line

The Beats Powerbeats Pro are what you grab when you want earbuds that don’t flinch. Whether you’re powerlifting, biking, walking to work, or getting lost in a podcast — these deliver.

Sure, the case is a chonky lad. And no, you won’t get AirPods-level ANC. But you will get:

• Secure fit

• Long battery life

• Clear sound

• Actual, usable controls

• Workout-tested reliability

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In short: They show up, lock in, and don’t back down.