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Updated January 10, 2024·
If active noise cancelling is important to you, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 might be the better choice, and they also provide a low latency mode for better sync during TV and gaming. However, they come at a higher cost. In contrast, the Beats Powerbeats Pro lack noise cancelling and may not be optimal for activities where low latency is critical, but they feature secure ear hooks that make them more suitable for exercise. Both offer similar battery life, support for AAC codec, and are optimized for Apple devices with integrated microphones. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Pro 2
Good for music
Very good for gaming
Good for TV and video
Very good for air travel
Advantages of the Beats Powerbeats Pro
Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.0/10
6.5/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Gaming
8.4/10
5.5/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good for gaming, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.8/10
7.0/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 and Beats Powerbeats Pro are both good for phone calls, though the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
7.8/10
5.7/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is good for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
9.1/10
4.6/10
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
6.0 Hours
10.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has 6 hours of battery life. The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$249
$130
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Airpods Pro 2 has a price of $249 and the Beats Powerbeats Pro costs $130.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Beats Powerbeats Pro to be excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Pro 2 is very good.
Build Quality
9.0/10
8.8/10
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Pro 2 to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Pro 2 and the Beats Powerbeats Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
"Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better active noise canceling (ANC) and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker lets you precisely locate it from the Find My app. If you own an iPhone, the new AirPods Pro is an obvious choice."
"Sweat resistance, actual noise isolation, and a secure fit in your ears make these the true wireless earphones you want in Apple-land. Android users may find other options they like better, as these only support AAC."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Pro 2 or the Beats Powerbeats Pro
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.