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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you engage in active sports or workouts and prefer convenience, the Beats Powerbeats Pro with their secure fit, water resistance, and hands-free controls would be suitable. However, if you prioritize sound fidelity and are comfortable with deep in-ear placement, the Etymotic ER4XR offers superior noise isolation and clear, accurate audio reproduction. The Beats provide strong bass and are more user-friendly for casual listening. On the other hand, Etymotics are ideal for audiophiles who also seek a built-in microphone, a feature absent in the Powerbeats Pro. Consider your budget and usage, factoring in the Powerbeats' lower cost versus Etymotics' specialized sound quality. 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
- Good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Etymotic ER4XR
- Very good for music
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.5
8.0
The Etymotic ER4XR is very good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
6.2
The Etymotic ER4XR is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.7
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the Etymotic ER4XR is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
7.3
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Etymotic ER4XR is good.
TV and Video
5.7
7.4
The Etymotic ER4XR is good for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
9.1
The Etymotic ER4XR is excellent for noise reduction, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Etymotic ER4XR does not have a battery.
Cost
$250
$234
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $250 and the Etymotic ER4XR costs $234.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Etymotic ER4XR to have excellent build quality, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro has very good build quality.
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How the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Etymotic ER4XR compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Etymotic ER4XR |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$250 | $234 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Etymotic | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | June 1, 2016 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.1/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 10 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 1.5 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 4.6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6/10 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8/10 | 6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | N/A | |
Shopping
Beats Powerbeats Pro
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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."
Etymotic ER4XR
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | May 2015
"The Etymotic ER4XRs' top qualities are the detail and definition of the midrange, rewarding the closest listening. While the soundstage is large rather than gigantic, the excellent separation and spatial precision mean you can dive deep into music just as much as when wearing a pair of full-size open-backed headphones."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Etymotic ER4XR
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 Etymotic
Etymotic Research is an American based research, development and manufacturing company founded in 1983. They invented the first insert earphones that were used for the diagnosis and research of hearing loss and other auditory disorders. They went on to pioneer the market of high fidelity, isolating, in-ear earphones.
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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
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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.
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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.
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