Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Workout Earbuds With Earhooks, ANC, and Heart Rate Monitoring

Beats built the Powerbeats Pro 2 for people who treat training as a serious part of their routine. These wireless earbuds combine a secure-fit earhook design with active noise cancelling, built-in heart rate monitoring, and a charging case that extends total listening time considerably. The Jet Black version reviewed here is one of the color options in the lineup, and the core feature set is what defines the product.

What separates this model from typical workout earbuds is the combination of fitness-oriented hardware and everyday listening features. Beats states that the earhook design was refined through 1,500 hours of testing across athletes of different ear shapes and training intensities. That testing claim is worth noting because it explains the design intent: an earbud that stays in place during sprints, heavy lifts, and full classes, rather than one that needs constant adjustment.

Design and Fit

The defining physical characteristic of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the earhook. Beats uses a nickel titanium alloy for this component, describing it as flexible enough to fit a range of ear shapes while strong enough to hold through workouts. That combination of flexibility and shape retention is the practical reason earhooks exist on a fitness earbud — they wrap around the ear rather than relying solely on the ear tip for stability.

Beats also states that this generation is 20% lighter than the previous one. Lighter earbuds can matter during longer sessions, since weight on the ear becomes more noticeable over time. Five ear tip sizes are included, which gives users more room to find a personalized acoustic seal. A proper seal is directly tied to both comfort and how well the earbuds block outside sound, so having multiple sizes is a meaningful inclusion rather than a filler accessory.

The earbuds carry an IPX4 rating for sweat and water resistance. That rating is relevant for gym use, outdoor runs, and any situation where perspiration or light moisture is expected. It is a stated rating, not an open invitation to submerge the earbuds, but it covers the realities of training.

Features and Technology

Active Noise Cancelling is one of the headline features, and Beats describes it as designed specifically for training environments — filtering the noise floor so users can focus. A Transparency mode is also included, which lets outside sound in when needed. That pairing is standard for modern ANC earbuds, and it is useful in a gym context: ANC for blocking background chatter and equipment noise, Transparency for hearing a training partner or an announcement.

Heart rate monitoring is built directly into the earbuds. Beats states that the sensors pulse more than 100 times per second for real-time tracking without a chest strap or watch. This is a notable feature because it removes an extra piece of equipment from the workout. The accuracy of any optical heart rate sensor depends on fit and other factors, but the stated design goal is hands-free tracking during training.

Adaptive EQ uses built-in microphones to measure the listening environment in real time and adjust frequencies to fit the ears. Beats describes the resulting sound profile as clear highs, rich mid-range, and powerful bass. Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking is available on Apple devices, which adds a positional element to supported content.

For calls, there are six microphones in total — three per earbud — which Beats states isolate the voice and filter ambient noise. Class 1 Bluetooth is used for the connection, which Beats describes as keeping the connection stable across the room.

Controls and Everyday Use

Controls are handled through on-ear buttons, tactile volume rockers, and voice-activated controls. Physical buttons are a practical choice for workout earbuds because they do not require the precise touch gestures that can be unreliable when hands are sweaty or moving. Adjusting volume or skipping a track without breaking stride is the stated intent behind this control layout.

The earbuds are powered by the Apple H2 chip. That chip underpins several of the features listed, including the battery performance and the adaptive audio processing. Beats positions the Powerbeats Pro 2 as working across both Apple and Android devices, with the experience differing slightly depending on which platform is used.

Battery, Charging, and Connectivity

Total listening time is stated at up to 45 hours with the charging case. That figure refers to combined earbud and case capacity, and it is the kind of number that can cover a full week of workouts without needing a wall outlet. The charging case itself is the first wireless Qi-charging case from Beats, which means it can be placed on a Qi charging pad rather than plugged in.

Fast Fuel is included for quick top-ups: a 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback according to Beats. That is useful for the situation where the earbuds are nearly depleted right before a session.

One detail worth flagging is the charging cable. The USB-C to USB-C charging cable is sold separately, so buyers should be aware that it is not part of the included contents. The box includes the earbuds, the wireless Qi charging case, five ear tip sizes, a quick start guide, and a warranty card.

On the connectivity side, one-touch pairing and automatic device switching are supported on Apple devices, along with hands-free Siri. On Android, the Beats app for Android provides full feature access, including heart rate monitoring, customizable controls, and battery widgets. That means Android users are not locked out of the key features, though the integration path differs from Apple’s native support.

Who Is This Product Best For?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 is aimed at people who train regularly and want earbuds that stay put. The earhook design, IPX4 rating, and heart rate monitoring all point toward gym sessions, running, cycling, and group fitness classes. Anyone who has dealt with earbuds slipping out mid-workout is the obvious audience for the secure-fit approach.

It also suits users who split time between Apple and Android devices, since Beats states that full feature access is available on Android through the Beats app. People who prefer physical buttons over touch controls will likely find the on-ear buttons and volume rockers more practical during activity.

Those who want a low-profile earbud without an earhook, or who need a charging cable included in the box, should note those characteristics before deciding.

Final Verdict

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 brings together a secure earhook fit, active noise cancelling, transparency mode, built-in heart rate monitoring, and up to 45 hours of total battery life with the charging case. The nickel titanium earhook, lighter build, five ear tip sizes, and IPX4 sweat and water resistance all support the workout-focused design. Adaptive EQ, Personalized Spatial Audio on Apple devices, six microphones for calls, and Class 1 Bluetooth round out the feature set.

The main considerations are the separate charging cable and the platform-dependent differences between Apple and Android. For anyone whose priority is earbuds that stay in place during training while offering noise cancelling and heart rate tracking, the Powerbeats Pro 2 addresses those needs directly based on the stated specifications.