Despite being a hugely popular headphone brand, Beats has had one glaring hole in its wireless headphone lineup: true wireless earbuds. Thanks to a hint in iOS code, the Powerbeats Pro weren't exactly a well-kept secret, and as expected, they carry the latest Apple tech that's also found inside version 2.0 of the AirPods. At $249.95, the Powerbeats Pro is near the top end of the true wireless spectrum price-wise, and its over-the-ear hook design isn't for everyone. However, the combination of features and sound quality makes quite the impression.
Gallery: Beats Powerbeats Pro review | 19 Photos
Gallery: Beats Powerbeats Pro review | 19 Photos
Beats Electronics Powerbeats Pro
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Much improved sound from other Beats products
- Apple H1 chip is a workhorse for headphones
- Ambidextrous controls are amazing
Cons
- Huge charging case is a burden
- Treble becomes overbearing at high volumes
- Charges via Lightning and not USB-C
- Hook design isn’t for everyone
The first thing that strikes you about the Powerbeats Pro is the size. When you pull the charging case out of the box, you know immediately you're dealing with a much larger product than your average wireless earbuds. In fact, the case is about twice the size of those from the likes of B&O, Jabra and Sennheiser. It's huge. Of course, that's primarily because the buds themselves are much larger than most true wireless earbuds. They also sit angled in the case instead of laying flat. And they're very similar to the wireless, but still tethered, Powerbeats 3 that debuted in 2016. That said, the case lacks the refinement you'd expect from an Apple-owned company.
Besides being chunky, the charging case has a few other annoyances. First, there's no wireless charging, a feature that Apple offers with its latest AirPods. Wireless-charging cases aren't standard for true wireless earbuds yet, but we'll get there. And since Apple is there already, as are B&O and Samsung, it's disappointing Beats didn't do the same. Second, the case uses a Lightning cable to top off. Sigh. Even Apple is moving to USB-C to charge its devices. The iPad Pro is already there, and it's likely to make the change on other products soon. And if you're using an Android device, you're probably already carrying a USB-C cable for your phone. Well, if you want to use the Powerbeats Pro, you'll have to keep up with a second cable just for your headphones.
Beats decided to keep the over-the-ear hook design it debuted in 2010, primarily to keep the Powerbeats Pro in place during workouts and other physical activity. Most true wireless earbuds stay in place just fine when I'm at the gym, but they primarily rely on a snug fit or extra fins to do so. The Powerbeats' hook itself has been redesigned for a more secure fit, and the main part of the buds that houses the internals and battery is now angled instead of sitting straight across the outside of your ear. That last bit may sound like a subtle change, but it looks so much better. This section also houses an optical sensor that handles automatic pausing when you remove the buds from your ears and motion-detecting accelerometers that put the buds in sleep mode when they're idle. Beats also tweaked the included earbud tips to make things more comfortable and provide a better seal. The overall size is slightly smaller and lighter -- ultimately more comfortable -- than the Powerbeats 3, but again, there's no mistaking the two for siblings.
That hook isn't for everyone, though, especially if you want to wear them with a hat or glasses. I almost always wear a hat to the gym or on a run, and it pressed down on the hook, making the whole thing pretty uncomfortable. The hook also isn't the most subtle look when you're not working out. Other true wireless earbuds, like the Jabra Elite 65t or even the Galaxy Buds, tuck nicely in your ear. It's much harder to be casual about earbuds that not only stick out of your ear but also wrap around the front and top. Basically, the Powerbeats Pro may not be the best look for the office.