AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro: which earphones are better?
Last month was a big month for all Apple fans as the company finally released their new generation of AirPods, 3 years after its predecessor. Only a couple of weeks after, Beats came out with their latest truly wireless headphones, Powerbeats Pro, which were immediately identified as AirPods 2 first rival. We bring you a close-in comparison of AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro to help you decide which one would suit you better.
AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro Performance
The two earphones compared have one very important feature in common: the use of Apple’s latest H1 chip that offers many improvements to the performance when compared to previous earphones models. These include “Hey Siri” voice command as well as fast and seamless connection and switching between devices.
As Powerbeats Pro is still not out yet, it is hard to decide which one will perform better but Powerbeats Pro already have an advantage as they offer noise isolation as they rely on an in-ear design which is better at blocking out the surroundings.
AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro Battery Life
When taking into consideration battery life with the charging case, both AirPods 2 and Powerbeats Pro offer around 24 hours of playback time. But, when taking a look at a single charge, Powerbeats Pro offers up to 9 hours in addition of 4.5 hours with only 15 minutes of charging while AirPods 2 offers up to 5 hours of playback time with a single charge in addition of 3 hours with 15 minutes charging. Despite the shorter battery life at once, AirPods 2 still offers a competitive feature as they can be recharged via Qi charging which is not available for Beats.
AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro Design
One of the biggest differences comes to light when comparing the design of the two wireless earphones. Everyone already knows the classic AirPods look that was kept the same for the second generation: one size fits all earbuds with the tail at the very end coming down on the side of the user’s face. On the other hand, Powerbeats have new, angled housing with adjustable ear hooks and 4 different ear tips that ensure secure fit in anyone’s ear which might be a better option for those who would use earphones for workouts or long-hours daily usage.
Moreover, Powerbeats Pro include buttons for controls over playback and volume meaning users don’t have to use the phone in order to adjust the settings while AirPods 2 only offer tap gestures that might not be as reliable. Powerbeats Pro is also water-resistant making them more convenient for working out. But, AirPods 2 has its own advantage: they are much smaller and lighter meaning they are also less intrusive.
AirPods 2 vs Powerbeats Pro Price
Powerbeats Pro is going to be available starting May 2019 and the retail price is expected to be $250. AirPods 2 are already available on Apple’s website and come in two variants. The price of the earphones without the charging case is $159 while with it, the price goes up to $199.
Which one to choose?
It is hard to say one is better than the other because both AirPods 2 and Powerbeats Pro have its own advantages. For those who need more adjustable earphones for longer use and workouts, Powerbeats might be a way to go, but those who prefer smaller and more discrete earphones, AirPods 2 should be definitely taken in consideration. Moreover, they also offer Qi wireless charging despite shorter battery life but when it comes to internals, they both feature the newest H1 chip meaning no matter which ones you choose based on your needs, you will be able to enjoy your music throughout the day.
ALSO READ: Here are all available special editions of Beats headphones
