A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a secure fit during active use like working out is important to you, the Beats Powerbeats Pro, with their ear hooks and sweat resistance, would be better suited for your needs. However, if you favor sound quality and noise cancellation for a more immersive listening experience, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 are likely to offer superior audio fidelity. Considering that price isn't a major differentiator here, you should also consider additional features like battery life, where the Powerbeats Pro typically offer longer usage between charges, and the convenience of wireless charging that comes with the Pi7 S2. If call quality and the ability to connect to multiple devices is a priority, the Pi7 S2 also tends to outperform the Beats in these areas. 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 Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Good for phone calls
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
- Good for music
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
6.5
7.5
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
7.0
5.2
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
5.6
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
8.3
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 is very good for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
5.0 Hours
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 to be only fair for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Cost
$124
$127
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 costs $127.
Build Quality
8.8
8.9
The Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 and Beats Powerbeats Pro both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $127 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Bowers and Wilkins | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | January 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | 0.75 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | 13 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | November 2022
"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."
Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Engadget
Billy Steele | March 2023
"While the overall sound quality is great, these earbuds fall short in terms of battery life, customization and ANC performance. Bowers & Wilkins’ ability to consistently deliver pristine sound isn’t enough to make up for what the Pi7 S2 lacks, which is unfortunately quite a bit."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2
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.
About Bowers and Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins is a British audio equipment manufacturer with a focus on innovation and product development. It was founded by a couple of real-life James Bonds, the co-founders John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who met while working for MI6 during World War II. The company keeps being favored by enthusiasts due to their sound quality, craftsmanship and signature aesthetics.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. Audio Technica M50x
VS
Compare Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. Soundcore Space Q45
VS
Compare Beats Powerbeats Pro vs. JBL Live 770NC
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Skullcandy Hesh ANC
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Jaybird Vista 2
VS
Compare Bowers and Wilkins Pi7 S2 vs. Beats Solo 3
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
Consumer hours saved
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.
Featured in
