I don‘t know about you, but I rely on my wireless earbuds every single day. I use them for calls, tuning out distractions while I work, and enjoying music on the go. As a tech analyst and gadget nerd, I‘ve tested my fair share of wireless earbuds too.
And let me tell you – when it comes to Apple earbuds, two models stand out from the pack: AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro.
Both deliver an awesome listening experience. But with some key differences between them, it can be tough deciding which is better for your needs.
That‘s exactly why I created this detailed comparison guide! I‘ll be breaking down all the differences between AirPods Pro vs Powerbeats Pro to help determine the right choice for you.
Let‘s start with an overview of both models, then dive deep into the factors that set them apart. Time to find your perfect earbuds match!
Overview: Unpacking the AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro
Before pitting them head-to-head, let‘s quickly unpack what each product offers:
AirPods Pro
Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro in October 2019. They built the Pros off the popularity of their original AirPods, adding advanced features that quickly made these Apple‘s best-selling earbuds.
The AirPods Pro stand out for their:
- Active noise cancellation – Using two microphones on each bud, the AirPods Pro actively block external noise so you can focus on your audio
- Transparency mode – Let‘s in external sound so you can stay aware of your surroundings when needed
- Adaptive EQ – Tunes sound in real-time based on how the earbud tips fit in your ear
- Spatial audio – Creates a theater-like surround sound experience with music coming from all directions
With an accessible $249 price point, the AirPods Pro cram in loads of innovation into tiny wireless earbuds. No wonder they‘ve been a hit with Apple users!
Powerbeats Pro
First released in May 2019, the Powerbeats Pro are wireless earbuds from Apple-owned Beats headphones. Targeting athletes and fitness buffs, these earbuds promise a "reinvention of earbud comfort and stability."
And based on the Powerbeats Pro‘s core features, it‘s easy to see why they excel for workouts and running:
- Adjustable earhooks – The flexible earhooks allow you to customize the fit so the buds never fall out, even during intense HIIT workouts
- Long battery life – Offer 9 hours of listening time per charge, for over 24+ hours total playback with the charging case
- Sweat resistance – Durable build and water-resistance allow them to handle tough training conditions
With beastly battery life and unparalleled fit stability, it makes sense why the $249 Powerbeats Pro fly off shelves and rank among the most popular workout earbuds around.
Now let‘s pit these two awesome sets of earbuds head-to-head!
Sound Quality Comparison
When it comes to audio performance, the AirPods Pro take the crown for delivering superior sound.
AirPods Pro Sound Quality
The reason AirPods Pro sound so remarkable lies in Apple‘s custom-designed drivers and computational audio technology powering them:
- Custom driver – The AirPods Pro contain special speaker drivers with a high-excursion design that enables bass you can truly feel with music – they call it "full and rich" sound
- Adaptive EQ – This adjusts sound in real-time based on fit and seal inside your ear for personalized tuning
- Spatial audio – Makes audio sound multidimensional for a cinematic, surround sound effect
All this adds up to exceptional clarity across low, mid and high frequencies. Whether you‘re listening to hip hop, classical, podcasts or anything in between – expect crisp, balanced audio.
Independent lab testing by Fast Company found the Pros measure "near the top performers" for wireless earbuds sound quality. And I can confirm that with over 2 years of personal experience – no other earbuds sound this good!
Powerbeats Pro Audio Quality
The Powerbeats Pro deliver dynamic, powerful sound too. Beats hasn‘t revealed the full audio specs, but independent teardowns show a custom piston driver powers the 9mm dynamic driver in each earbud.
So while audio is punchy with emphasized bass, the overall quality can‘t quite match that of the AirPods Pro. Don‘t get me wrong, you‘ll enjoy your music with these too! But critical listeners who want richer audio should grab the AirPods Pro instead.
The audio winner? AirPods Pro for noticeably superior, nuanced sound. But fitness buffs who want bold bass for high energy workouts may prefer the Powerbeats Pro.
Noise Cancellation Showdown
Another huge difference between both earbuds comes down to noise cancellation tech:
AirPods Pro – Industry-leading Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) uses two microphones on each earbud to block external noise
Powerbeats Pro – No noise cancellation at all
So why does noise cancellation matter when choosing earbuds? And what makes the AirPods Pro so good at it?
Why Active Noise Cancellation Matters
ANC tech gives wireless earbuds the power to actively cancel out ambient environmental sounds around you. The earbuds generate the opposite sound waves to these noises to effectively "cancel them out" before reaching your ears.
The result? Your music, calls, and media play clearly without distortion from loud external noise. Whether you‘re working in a chatty open office, stuck on a plane with noisy engines, or trying to listen to tunes while mowing the lawn – ANC makes a world of difference.
Earbuds lacking ANC like the Powerbeats Pro passively isolate some noise just by fitting snugly. But only ANC can fully cut out environmental noise for undistracted listening.
AirPods Pro Have The Best ANC
The Active Noise Cancellation built into AirPods Pro works shockingly well. So well in fact, independent testing by SoundGuys found the Pros reduced ambient loud noise 3 to 6 decibels better compared to Bose and Sony ANC earbuds.
How? A few reasons why Apple‘s ANC tech is so effective:
- Dual microphones – 2 mics on each Pro earbud enables more precise noise blocking
- Adaptive ANC – Noise canceling adapts in real-time based on the external noise around you
- Inward-facing mic – Inner mic listens inside your ear, fine-tuning ANC based on what‘s not fully blocked
Honestly, I can‘t overstate how impressive and useful AirPods Pro noise cancellation feels in daily use. Screaming babies, construction noise…no problem for my Pros!
Considering noise cancellation capability is a prime reason folks buy wireless earbuds, the AirPods Pro easily trounce the Powerbeats Pro here.
The ANC winner? AirPods Pro by a long mile for category-leading active noise cancelling.
Fit and Comfort Showdown
Noise cancellation and sound quality go to AirPods Pro. But which earbuds offer the most secure, comfortable fit? Let‘s break it down:
AirPods Pro Fit and Comfort
The in-ear AirPods Pro stay put using soft, swappable silicone ear tips. Tips gently expand inside your ear for tight seal and noise isolation.
Most reviewers praise the AirPods Pro wearing comfort:
- CNET: "They‘re the most comfortable to wear compared with Sony and Bose"
- Wall Street Journal: "Snug without being uncomfortable"
But some folks find in-ear buds uncomfortable over extended periods, especially smaller ears. And pushing earbuds deeper to get a seal or better noise cancelling can cause discomfort over long listening sessions.
Ideal for: Casual everyday listening – commutes, calls, coffee shops, etc. Noise isolation enhances audio and ANC performance after all.
Powerbeats Pro Fit and Comfort
Designed for exercise and sports, the Powerbeats use adjustable earhooks to keep buds firmly in place through rigorous workouts and runs.
The soft earhooks and earbud tips mold to your ears for a personalized, secure fit. You can adjust hooks as needed until buds feel perfect.
Most reviewers praise Powerbeats Pro workout comfort:
- CNET‘s Powerbeats Pro review: "Held securely in place during workouts"
- TechRadar‘s review: "The best fitting and most secure earbuds around"
Considering they‘re built to not budge during exercise thanks to those earhooks, the Powerbeats Pro deliver more active, adjustable fit. No fiddling with eartips hoping for the best seal!
Ideal for: Fitness buffs and athletes needing complete stability for high-movement activities like CrossFit, running, HIIT, etc.
Battery Life Battle
Battery life is crucial for cord-free listening convenience. So how long can you listen between charges on each model?
AirPods Pro – Up to 6 hours listening time, 30 hours total including case charges
Powerbeats Pro – Up to 9 hours listening time, 24 hours total including case
The Powerbeats Pro last 3 hours longer thanks to those huge earbud batteries. But the compact AirPods Pro charging case holds more reserve power despite its tiny size.
During my testing I found both models deliver awesome battery that‘s way beyond most wireless earbuds. Even on long flights or marathon workdays, I rarely drained my AirPod Pros before popping them back in the charging case for a quick boost.
And if you do somehow run out of juice mid-activity, 5 minutes in the case gives you 1.5 hour fast charge time on the Pros and an hour on the Powerbeats. Impressive!
So whether you grab the endurance-focused Powerbeats or convenient portability of the AirPods Pro – no battery FOMO here. Both crush it!
The battery winner? For outright long runtimes, Powerbeats Pro. But AirPods Pro case portability offers more real-world usage time before needing an outlet. I call it a listening convenience tie!
More Differences to Consider
Beyond the major factors above, a few other differences are worth considering when choosing between the two:
| AirPods Pro | Powerbeats Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $249.95 |
| Waterproof Rating | IPX4 (sweat and water resistant) | IPX4 (sweat and water resistant) |
| Chip | H2 chip for improved connectivity range between Apple devices | H1 chip with slightly shorter connectivity range |
| Charging Case Size | More compact, pocketable design at 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85 inches | Larger design for gym bags at 2.43 x 3.58 x 1.06 inches |
| Earbud Size | More low profile design sits closer to your ear | Larger ear hooks create bulkier bud silhouette |
| Color Options | White, black | Black, white, red, blue, gray |
| Mic Quality for Calls | 3 inward facing mics on each bud enhances speech clarity | 2 mics on each bud capture decent audio |
| Wireless Charging | Yes, supports Qi charging | No wireless charging |
| Latest Model Year | 2nd generation AirPods Pro released 2022 | 2nd gen Powerbeats in 2020, no refresh since |
The Bottom Line: It Depends On Your Needs!
I won‘t keep you in suspense any longer – both the AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro are awesome wireless earbuds. Choosing between them ultimately depends on your listening priorities.
Who Should Buy AirPods Pro?
The AirPods Pro make sense if you want:
- Next-level sound quality with spatial and adaptive audio
- Effective active noise cancelling to block out the world
- Lightweight, compact earbuds for wearing comfort
- Seamless connectivity with Apple devices
Casual listeners who want rich immersive audio and noise isolation will love what AirPods Pro bring to the table. Their pocketable charging case and wireless charging adds major convenience points too.
Who Should Buy Powerbeats Pro?
On the flip side, the Powerbeats Pro are ideal if you:
- Need earhooks to secure earbuds during intense workouts
- Demand very long battery life for marathon listening sessions
- Prefer larger physical earbud and case design
- Train with both Apple and Android devices
For fitness buffs who need to hear their beats, podcasts, and calls during tough training, the Powerbeats Pro have your back. Their adjustable earhooks and sweat-proof design can tackle even hardcore HIIT workouts and running.
And with class-leading 9 hour battery life per charge, you may able to train through a full zombie apocalypse without recharging!
Parting Thoughts
Hope this detailed breakdown helps you decide between AirPods Pro vs Powerbeats Pro! I aimed to cover every key difference you should consider before buying.
Both earbuds are impressive feats of Apple engineering. One excels for pristine sound and noise cancelling, while the other focuses on unbreakable fit stability and marathon battery life.
Choose based on your personal listening priorities. And rest easy knowing whichever you pick will rock your earbuds needs for years.
Until next time, happy listening my friend! Please reach out if any other questions pop up. More than happy to chat earbuds, tips or really any tech topic!
