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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you often exercise and need earbuds that stay put, the Beats Powerbeats Pro, being sweatproof with ear hooks, are a practical choice. They're also wireless with decent battery life, which adds to their portability for an on-the-go lifestyle. However, if you're an audiophile looking for a more immersive and open soundstage, the Focal Elex headphones, with their larger drivers and open design, provide higher sound quality, especially for home use where portability is less critical. The Focal Elex lacks a built-in microphone, making them less suitable for calls, and since they're wired, they're not ideal for sports or exercise. Budget-wise, if the price is a key concern, the Beats Powerbeats Pro's lower cost would also be a deciding factor. 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 Focal Elex
- Good for music
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
6.5
7.7
The Focal Elex is good for music, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
6.9
The Focal Elex is only fair for gaming, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Phone Calls
7.0
4.3
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is good for phone calls, while the Focal Elex is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
9.2
7.1
The Beats Powerbeats Pro is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Focal Elex is good.
TV and Video
5.7
8.3
The Focal Elex is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro is poor.
Noise Reduction
4.6
2.5
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Focal Elex are both poor for noise reduction, though the Beats Powerbeats Pro is somewhat better.
Battery
10.0 Hours
N/A
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has 10 hours of battery life. The Focal Elex does not have a battery.
Cost
$124
$749
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Beats Powerbeats Pro has a price of $124 and the Focal Elex costs $749.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.8
9.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Focal Elex 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 Focal Elex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Beats Powerbeats Pro | Focal Elex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$124 | $749 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Beats | Focal | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2019 | December 1, 2017 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 6.5/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 4.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.6/10 | 4.3/10 | |
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 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Large | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 11 Grams | 450 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."
Focal Elex
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Dig into reviews and images
Golden Sound
Golden Sound | October 2021
"The Focal Elex are an excellent pair of headphones for the money and a great all-rounder that will suit many tastes. They’re an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something comfortable, well built, that looks good, and will work with just about any genre."
Get a great deal on the Beats Powerbeats Pro or the Focal Elex
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.
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