Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

The result of all this tech is a compelling and versatile package that should be a top contender for budding athletes and beyond. With tons of features, punchy sound, and serious comfort in a sport-friendly design, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are an impressive second coming and the best Beats Buds you can buy right now.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 make a strong case against yearly upgrades. I’m not saying Beats should wait another six years before another refresh, but thanks to that wait, there’s a clear difference from the original Powerbeats. The addition of ANC is a good enough reason to cop a pair.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 put fitness first, with a secure, comfortable fit and the addition of a heart rate monitor. There are some small hiccups in the sound department, but very solid battery life and a unique look and style bring them firmly back on track to make some compelling fitness buds that can do almost everything.

Apple’s first earbuds with heart-rate tracking aren’t AirPods, but they offer a lot of the same smarts via a major design overhaul from Beats.

While I personally had some issues with the included ear tips, I do think the Powerbeats Pro 2 are improved in every way from their predecessor and people who liked the originals will be impressed with this next-gen version.

A much-improved pair of fitness earbuds perfectly tuned for the Apple ecosystem. The addition of ANC and heart rate monitor make the Powerbeats Pro 2 the smart choice for the athletic iPhone user.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 offers a compelling mix of fitness tracking and premium audio. They excel in comfort, design, and battery life, making them one of the best sports headphones available. However, while heart rate tracking is undoubtedly accurate, we encountered consistent pairing issues, especially on iOS. If Beats can finesse the heart rate features, the Powerbeats Pro 2 could become a top alternative to smartwatches and chest straps. In their current state, though, they're only a must-consider for those craving top audio features in a secure fit.

If you're an iPhone owner and in the market for a new pair of earbuds that are focused on fitness, get these. If you already have a pair you love and were considering switching to these for the heart rate monitors, unless the apps I mentioned earlier are your go-to fitness apps, you may want to wait until there's more support for the Powerbeats Pro 2 heart rate monitoring. As it is, just one fix will open up the ecosystem: support from WatchOS.