Beats Powerbeats Pro Review

by Alex Chang
Beats Powerbeats Pro

In a world where music and audio content are constantly accompanying our daily lives, finding the perfect pair of wireless earbuds is essential. With so many options available, it’s important to identify the ones that will cater to our unique preferences and needs. In this article, we will delve into the world of Beats Powerbeats Pro, a pair of headphones that has captured the attention of audiophiles and fitness enthusiasts alike. We will examine their features, sound quality, comfort, and overall performance to help you decide if they are the right choice for your listening experience. So, sit back and relax as we take you on an auditory journey with the Beats Powerbeats Pro.

Beats Powerbeats Pro
Beats Powerbeats Pro

Beats Powerbeats Pro product information

History of Beats Powerbeats Pro

The story of Beats Powerbeats Pro begins with the inception of Beats Electronics, founded in 2006 by music industry legends Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. The duo aimed to create a line of high-quality audio products that would revolutionize the way people experience music. With their expertise and passion for sound, they set out to design headphones that would cater to the needs of both casual listeners and professional musicians.

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Initially, Beats focused on creating over-ear and on-ear headphones, such as the Beats Studio and Beats Solo lines. As the market shifted towards wireless and more portable options, the company began developing earbuds to cater to the growing demand for versatile and practical audio solutions. The Powerbeats series was introduced as a sports-oriented line of earbuds, designed to provide a secure fit and powerful sound for athletes and active users.

The first iteration of Powerbeats earbuds was launched in 2011, which was followed by several upgrades in the following years. However, it wasn’t until the release of the Beats Powerbeats Pro in April 2019 that the brand truly hit its stride in the wireless earbuds market. With the support of Apple Inc., which had acquired Beats Electronics in 2014, the Powerbeats Pro integrated Apple’s H1 chip, allowing seamless connectivity with Apple devices and improving overall performance.

The creation of Beats Powerbeats Pro was driven by the desire to produce a pair of truly wireless earbuds that would not only deliver exceptional sound quality but also cater to the needs of athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The designers focused on improving battery life, enhancing the ergonomic fit, and refining the overall build quality to create a product that would excel in both form and function. By combining the signature Beats sound with advanced technology and a secure, comfortable fit, the Powerbeats Pro emerged as a strong contender in the competitive wireless earbuds market.

Specification

SpecificationDetails
Year of Manufacture2019
CompanyBeats Electronics (Apple Inc.)
Official Websitehttps://www.beatsbydre.com/earphones/powerbeats-pro
Fit TypeIn-ear, ear-hook
Item Dimensions4.33 x 3.04 x 2.17 inches
Item Weight0.7 oz (20 g) per earbud
Special FeaturesSweat & water-resistant, adjustable ear hooks
Driver Size12 mm
Frequency Response20 Hz – 20 kHz
ImpedanceN/A
Bluetooth Version5.0
Bluetooth RangeUp to 33 ft (10 m)
ANC ModesNone
Audio CodecAAC, SBC
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours (earbuds), 24 hours with charging case
Charging Time1.5 hours for earbuds, 2.5 hours for charging case
Quick Charging5 minutes for 1.5 hours of playback (Fast Fuel)
ControlsPhysical button controls, voice assistant (Siri)
PriceVaries by retailer, typically around $199.95 (at launch)

What is included in the delivery set?

The delivery set of the Beats Powerbeats Pro includes the following items:

  1. Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds
  2. Charging case
  3. Ear tips with four size options (S, M, L, XL)
  4. Lightning to USB-A charging cable
  5. Quick start guide
  6. Warranty card and safety information
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This comprehensive set ensures that you have everything you need to enjoy a seamless and personalized listening experience with the Beats Powerbeats Pro right out of the box.

What about design, materials, assembly?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro sports an attractive and functional design that caters to users with an active lifestyle. The earbuds are made with a combination of high-quality materials, including hard plastics and silicone, to ensure durability and comfort during prolonged use.

One of the key design features of the Powerbeats Pro is the adjustable ear hook, which wraps around the ear for a secure and stable fit. This ear hook is made of a flexible and sturdy material, allowing it to accommodate various ear shapes and sizes without causing discomfort. The in-ear portion of the earbuds features a slightly angled nozzle that provides a snug and comfortable fit within the ear canal.

The Powerbeats Pro is available in multiple colors, including Black, Ivory, Moss, and Navy, to suit a variety of preferences and styles. The earbuds have a matte finish that gives them a sleek and modern appearance while minimizing fingerprint smudges.

Assembly-wise, the Powerbeats Pro is built with precision and attention to detail. The components fit together seamlessly, providing a solid and reliable structure. The earbuds are also sweat and water-resistant, with an IPX4 rating, which makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.

The charging case has a clamshell design with a secure magnetic closure to keep the earbuds safe and protected when not in use. The case is made of sturdy plastic and has an LED indicator on the front to display the charging status of both the earbuds and the case itself.

Overall, the Beats Powerbeats Pro boasts a well-thought-out design, quality materials, and precise assembly, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for users, along with durability and style.

What about ergonomics and usability Beats Powerbeats Pro?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro excels in ergonomics and usability, making them an ideal choice for users who prioritize comfort and ease of use.

Ergonomics:

The adjustable ear hooks are a key ergonomic feature, providing a secure fit that ensures the earbuds stay in place during various activities, including workouts and running. The ear hooks are made of a flexible material that contours to the shape of your ears without causing discomfort or pressure.

The Powerbeats Pro comes with four different sizes of silicone ear tips, allowing users to find the perfect fit for their ears. The slightly angled nozzle of the earbuds ensures a snug fit within the ear canal, providing excellent noise isolation and minimizing sound leakage.

Usability:

The Powerbeats Pro features an intuitive control scheme with physical buttons located on both earbuds. The multifunction “b” button on each earbud can be used to play, pause, skip tracks, and answer or end calls. The volume rocker is also present on both earbuds, making it easy for users to adjust the volume level regardless of which hand is free.

The earbuds automatically turn on and connect to your device when removed from the charging case, and they turn off and start charging when placed back in the case. This seamless process simplifies the user experience and conserves battery life.

With Bluetooth 5.0, the Powerbeats Pro offers quick and stable connections with a range of up to 33 feet (10 meters), allowing for uninterrupted listening sessions even when the connected device is not within immediate reach.

The Powerbeats Pro also supports hands-free Siri activation for iOS users, providing quick and easy access to Apple’s voice assistant for added convenience.

In conclusion, the ergonomics and usability of the Beats Powerbeats Pro are designed with user comfort and convenience in mind, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and easy-to-use pair of wireless earbuds.

Beats Powerbeats Pro
Beats Powerbeats Pro

What about connection, control and software?

Connection:

The Beats Powerbeats Pro utilizes Bluetooth 5.0 technology, providing stable and reliable wireless connectivity with a range of up to 33 feet (10 meters). This ensures seamless audio streaming and minimal interruptions during listening sessions. The earbuds also benefit from Apple’s H1 chip, which enables faster pairing and seamless switching between Apple devices for users within the Apple ecosystem.

Control:

The Powerbeats Pro features physical button controls located on both earbuds. The multifunction “b” button can be used to play, pause, skip tracks, and answer or end calls. The volume rocker is also present on both earbuds, allowing users to adjust the volume level with ease. The physical buttons offer a tactile and responsive feel, making it easy for users to control their music and calls without needing to access their connected device.

For iOS users, the Powerbeats Pro supports hands-free Siri activation. By saying “Hey Siri,” users can access Apple’s voice assistant to perform various tasks, such as sending messages, making calls, or controlling smart home devices, without touching their earbuds or connected device.

Software:

The Powerbeats Pro does not have a dedicated app for customization or EQ adjustments. However, they do integrate seamlessly with Apple devices, allowing users to check battery life and control playback through the native iOS interface. For non-Apple users, the earbuds can still be used to control playback and manage calls via the physical buttons on the earbuds themselves.

While there is no dedicated software for the Powerbeats Pro, the earbuds offer excellent connection stability, ease of control, and seamless integration with Apple devices, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable listening experience for users.

How’s the sound quality?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro delivers impressive sound quality that is well-suited for a wide range of music genres and audio content. The earbuds boast a balanced sound signature with a slight emphasis on bass, providing a rich and engaging listening experience.

Bass:

The bass response on the Powerbeats Pro is powerful and punchy without being overwhelming. The low frequencies are well-represented, adding depth and warmth to the music. This characteristic makes them particularly suitable for bass-heavy genres like hip-hop, electronic, and pop, but they still perform well with other music styles.

Mids:

The midrange of the Powerbeats Pro is clear and detailed, allowing for excellent vocal and instrumental reproduction. The earbuds handle both male and female vocals well, and the separation between instruments is distinct, providing an immersive listening experience.

Highs:

The high frequencies on the Powerbeats Pro are crisp and lively without being overly bright or harsh. This ensures that details such as cymbals, strings, and other high-pitched instruments are well-represented, creating a balanced and enjoyable listening experience across various genres.

Soundstage and Imaging:

While the soundstage of the Powerbeats Pro may not be as expansive as some over-ear headphones, the earbuds still deliver a respectable sense of space and instrument positioning. The imaging is accurate, allowing users to discern the placement of different instruments and sounds within a track.

Overall, the Beats Powerbeats Pro offers excellent sound quality that caters to a variety of music tastes and preferences. The balanced sound signature, with a slight emphasis on bass, ensures an engaging and enjoyable listening experience across various genres and audio content.

What about the energy efficiency and battery life?

The Beats Powerbeats Pro boasts impressive energy efficiency and battery life, making them an excellent choice for users who require long-lasting performance from their wireless earbuds.

Battery Life:

The earbuds themselves offer up to 9 hours of continuous playback on a single charge, which is significantly higher than many competing wireless earbuds in the market. When combined with the additional charges provided by the charging case, users can enjoy a total of up to 24 hours of listening time.

Energy Efficiency:

The Powerbeats Pro features Apple’s H1 chip, which not only ensures seamless connectivity but also contributes to the earbuds’ energy efficiency. The H1 chip enables the earbuds to conserve power when not in use, extending battery life and ensuring optimal performance during listening sessions.

Quick Charging:

The Powerbeats Pro supports a Fast Fuel feature, which provides a quick charging solution for users on the go. With just 5 minutes of charging, the earbuds gain up to 1.5 hours of playback time. This is particularly useful when you need a quick boost of battery life before heading out for a workout or a commute.

Charging Time:

The earbuds take approximately 1.5 hours to charge fully, while the charging case takes around 2.5 hours to reach maximum capacity. The charging case utilizes a Lightning to USB-A cable, which is included in the delivery set.

In summary, the Beats Powerbeats Pro offers excellent energy efficiency and battery life, making them a reliable and convenient option for users who need long-lasting performance from their wireless earbuds. The quick charging feature adds an additional layer of convenience for those who require a rapid battery boost during busy schedules.

Comparison & Review

What are similar headphones in features and cost?

Two similar headphones in terms of features and cost to the Beats Powerbeats Pro are the Jabra Elite Active 75t and the Sony WF-SP800N.

  1. Jabra Elite Active 75t:
  • Price: Typically around $179.99 (at launch)
  • Fit Type: In-ear
  • Special Features: IP57-rated water and sweat resistance, customizable EQ settings via Jabra Sound+ app, HearThrough mode (ambient sound)
  • Battery Life: Up to 7.5 hours (earbuds), 28 hours with charging case
  • Bluetooth Version: 5.0
  • Controls: Physical buttons on both earbuds
  • ANC: No, but offers passive noise isolation
  • Quick Charging: Yes, 15 minutes for up to 1 hour of playback
  1. Sony WF-SP800N:
  • Price: Typically around $199.99 (at launch)
  • Fit Type: In-ear with arc support
  • Special Features: IP55-rated water and sweat resistance, customizable EQ settings via Sony Headphones Connect app, Ambient Sound mode, digital noise cancellation
  • Battery Life: Up to 9 hours (earbuds) with ANC, 13 hours without ANC; 18 hours with charging case (with ANC), 26 hours without ANC
  • Bluetooth Version: 5.0
  • Controls: Touch controls on both earbuds
  • ANC: Yes, adjustable digital noise cancellation
  • Quick Charging: Yes, 10 minutes for up to 1 hour of playback

Both the Jabra Elite Active 75t and Sony WF-SP800N offer similar features to the Beats Powerbeats Pro, such as water and sweat resistance, customizable sound profiles, and comparable battery life. They are also similarly priced, making them viable alternatives for users looking for wireless earbuds with a focus on fitness and active lifestyles.

Compare with similar items

SpecificationBeats Powerbeats ProJabra Elite Active 75tSony WF-SP800N
Year of Manufacture201920202020
CompanyBeats Electronics (Apple Inc.)JabraSony
Official Websitewww.beatsbydre.comwww.jabra.comwww.sony.com
Fit TypeIn-ear, ear-hookIn-earIn-ear with arc support
Item Dimensions4.33 x 3.04 x 2.17 inches0.86 x 0.76 x 0.64 inches1.14 x 0.98 x 0.78 inches
Item Weight0.7 oz (20 g) per earbud0.19 oz (5.5 g) per earbud0.32 oz (9 g) per earbud
Special FeaturesSweat & water-resistant, adjustable ear hooksIP57-rated water and sweat resistance, customizable EQ settings via Jabra Sound+ app, HearThrough modeIP55-rated water and sweat resistance, customizable EQ settings via Sony Headphones Connect app, Ambient Sound mode
Driver Size12 mm6 mm6 mm
Frequency Response20 Hz – 20 kHz20 Hz – 20 kHz20 Hz – 20 kHz
ImpedanceN/A16 ohmsN/A
Bluetooth Version5.05.05.0
Bluetooth RangeUp to 33 ft (10 m)Up to 33 ft (10 m)Up to 33 ft (10 m)
ANC ModesNonePassive noise isolationAdjustable digital noise cancellation
Audio CodecAAC, SBCSBC, AACSBC, AAC
Battery LifeUp to 9 hours (earbuds), 24 hours with charging caseUp to 7.5 hours (earbuds), 28 hours with charging caseUp to 9 hours (earbuds) with ANC, 13 hours without ANC; 18 hours with charging case (with ANC), 26 hours without ANC
Charging Time1.5 hours for earbuds, 2.5 hours for charging case2 hours for earbuds, 2 hours for charging case2.5 hours for earbuds, 3 hours for charging case
Quick Charging5 minutes for 1.5 hours of playback (Fast Fuel)15 minutes for up to 1 hour of playback10 minutes for up to 1 hour of playback
ControlsPhysical button controls, voice assistant (Siri)Physical buttons on both earbudsTouch controls on both earbuds
PriceTypically around $199.95 (at launch)Typically around $179.99 (at launch)Typically around $199.99 (at launch)

How do Beats Powerbeats Pro users describe their experience with these headphones? 

Beats Powerbeats Pro users generally describe their experience with these headphones as positive, with many appreciating the following aspects:

  1. Secure fit: Users often praise the adjustable ear hooks for providing a comfortable and secure fit during various activities, including workouts and running. The ear hooks keep the earbuds in place, ensuring they do not fall out during even the most intense exercises.
  2. Sound quality: Many users are satisfied with the sound quality offered by the Powerbeats Pro, appreciating the balanced sound signature with a slight emphasis on bass. The earbuds deliver clear and detailed audio across different music genres and audio content.
  3. Battery life: Users frequently commend the long-lasting battery life of the Powerbeats Pro, which provides up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case. The extended battery life allows for uninterrupted listening sessions without the need for frequent charging.
  4. Build quality and design: The Powerbeats Pro receives praise for its sleek design, quality materials, and solid build. Users appreciate the water and sweat resistance, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities.
  5. Seamless connectivity: Users within the Apple ecosystem often highlight the seamless connectivity enabled by the Apple H1 chip. The chip allows for faster pairing and easy switching between Apple devices, providing a hassle-free user experience.

However, some users do note a few drawbacks:

  1. Bulky charging case: Some users find the charging case to be bulky and less portable compared to cases of other true wireless earbuds.
  2. No dedicated app: A few users wish for a dedicated app to customize sound profiles or access additional features.
  3. Price: Some users feel the price is on the higher side compared to other options available in the market.

Overall, Beats Powerbeats Pro users generally describe a positive experience, appreciating the secure fit, sound quality, battery life, build quality, and seamless connectivity, despite a few minor drawbacks.

Pros and cons of headphones Beats Powerbeats Pro

Positive AspectsNegative Aspects
Secure and comfortable fit with ear hooksBulky charging case
Impressive sound qualityNo dedicated app for customization
Long-lasting battery lifeHigher price compared to competitors
Sleek design and quality materials
Water and sweat resistance
Seamless connectivity with Apple devices
Beats Powerbeats Pro
Beats Powerbeats Pro

Conclusions

In summary, the Beats Powerbeats Pro is a well-rounded pair of true wireless earbuds that deliver an impressive and enjoyable listening experience. Users appreciate the secure and comfortable fit provided by the adjustable ear hooks, making them an excellent choice for workouts and active lifestyles. The sound quality is commendable, offering a balanced audio profile with a slight emphasis on bass. The earbuds have an impressive battery life, and their water and sweat resistance adds to their durability.

Seamless connectivity with Apple devices is another strong selling point for users within the Apple ecosystem. However, some users may find the charging case bulky, and the absence of a dedicated app for customization might be a drawback for some. Additionally, the price might be considered high compared to some competitors. Overall, the Beats Powerbeats Pro is a great option for those seeking reliable and high-quality true wireless earbuds, particularly for active users and those invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Our Review

Beats Powerbeats Pro. Basic questions, basic answers

  • Are Powerbeats Pro for Apple only?

    No, the Powerbeats Pro is not exclusively for Apple devices. While they do feature the Apple H1 chip, which allows for seamless connectivity and easy switching between Apple devices, they can also be used with Android and other Bluetooth-enabled devices. The Powerbeats Pro uses Bluetooth 5.0, which makes it compatible with a wide range of smartphones, tablets, and other devices that support Bluetooth connectivity. However, some features like instant pairing and quick device switching might not be as seamless on non-Apple devices as they are within the Apple ecosystem.

  • How to reset powerbeats pro?

    To reset your Powerbeats Pro, follow these steps:
    1. Place both earbuds in the charging case and ensure they are properly seated.
    2. Leave the case open.
    3. Locate the button inside the charging case, between the earbud compartments.
    4. Press and hold the button for approximately 15 seconds.
    5. The LED indicator in the case will flash red and white, indicating that the reset process has started.
    6. Close the lid of the charging case and wait for a few seconds.
    7. Open the case again. The LED indicator should now be flashing white, which means the earbuds are in pairing mode and have been successfully reset.

    After resetting your Powerbeats Pro, you can reconnect them to your device by following the standard Bluetooth pairing process. Keep in mind that you may need to forget the previous connection on your device before attempting to pair again.

Last Updated on September 24, 2023

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1 comment

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Alex Chang April 2, 2023 - 10:58 am

As the author of this article, I genuinely appreciate your time spent reading the review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro. I’d love to hear your feedback, thoughts, and comments on these headphones. Have you used them before, or do you have any questions? Please share your experiences and opinions, as your insights are invaluable in helping others make informed decisions. Let’s engage in a constructive discussion and help each other discover the best audio solutions for our needs.

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