Beats Powerbeats vs. Beats Powerbeats Pro
Choosing between the Beats Powerbeats Pro and the Beats Powerbeats is like asking someone if they prefer peaches or nectarines. In both instances, the genetics are essentially identical with just a few minor variances. In today’s versus, we’re pitting the influential company against itself; each headset has its place, but which is the absolute best for you?
The Beats Powerbeats Pro and Powerbeats are nearly identical
Aside from the rounded cable that joins the Beats Powerbeats housings, the headsets in question are practically indistinguishable. Both the Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro ear hooks are easy to adjust for a secure fit no matter the size of your ears. Beats used angled nozzles that conform to the ear canal for a comfortable fit, and better isolation than 90° nozzles provide.
The Powerbeats Pro includes a charging case, which is the norm for all true wireless earbuds; this serves as a way to store the earbuds and tops them up when not in use. The case doesn’t support wireless charging and uses the same Lightning input as the lower-tier wireless earbuds. While the case is useful, it’s very bulky and takes away from the portability factor that entices most consumers. On the other hand, the Beats Powerbeats includes a drawstring carrying pouch. It isn’t very protective, but it’s more portable and keeps the cable from getting tangled.
Apple’s H1 chip is integrated into both Beats headphones, so regardless of which Powerbeats you get, you’re afforded all the same benefits like optimal power efficiency, easy iOS device switching, hands-free Siri access, and more. Android users aren’t granted the same features, as these are limited to iOS devices like the iPhone and iPad.
Onboard controls and virtual assistant access
Beats’ premium and economical Powerbeats both rely on buttons to control playback, accept or reject calls, and adjust volume. With the Beats Powerbeats Pro, both “b” logos are functional buttons, but for the Powerbeats, only the right panel is operational. You may access your virtual assistant by a press-and-hold gesture of the multifunction button on either headset, or you can use your voice for direct Siri access.
Both Beats earphones support hands-free Siri access and immediate iOS device switching.
The true wireless model supports automatic ear detection, whereas the Powerbeats do not. Seeing as the former is significantly more expensive than the latter, it makes sense that Beats omitted some features. While it’s nice to have auto pause/play functionality, some buyers feel it’s even nicer to have an extra $50 lining their wallets.
This round is a real toss-up, but the additional multifunction button on the Pro model alongside the true wireless benefits, make this round a win for the Powerbeats Pro.
Winner: Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Beats Powerbeats Pro are more comfortable for workouts
Both sets of earbuds are marketed toward the athletic crowd: they’re both IPX4-rated and provide a stable fit thanks to the malleable ear hooks. Although standard wireless earbuds certainly have their place, true wireless earbuds are better for exercise. No matter how comfortable the rounded Powerbeats cable is, it can’t compare to the feeling of absolute freedom when using true wireless workout earbuds.
Those with limited budgets will be perfectly fine in using the Beats Powerbeats, but if you’re an athlete unencumbered by financial constraints, you’ll be happy you went with the truly wireless Powerbeats Pro.
Winner: Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Powerbeats have better battery life
Comparisons don’t get more objective than battery life metrics, and this is an easy win for the Beats Powerbeats: true wireless tech is a power-hungry beast. The Beats Powerbeats Pro provide 10.52 hours of playback on a single charge, while the Beats Powerbeats last just shy of 18 hours. Both are impressive for their respective categories, and save for the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are among the best true wireless earbuds as it applies to battery life.
Both headsets depend on Apple’s proprietary Lightning input, and are equally efficient when it comes to Fast Fuel quick charging: just five minutes of charging yields 1.5 hours of playtime. Although the Powerbeats have the better standalone playtime, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are allotted an additional 24 hours of on-the-go battery life from the massive charging case. It depends on how you prioritize usage, but we’re giving the Powerbeats a win for its impressive endurance.
Winner: Beats Powerbeats
These support the same Bluetooth codecs
The same Bluetooth codecs are supported by these Class 1, Bluetooth 5.0 headsets: AAC and SBC. This means reliable, high-quality audio is relegated to iOS; AAC’s performance is shaky at best on Android. However, it’s unlikely for you to notice any compression artifacts from either headset when streaming to an Android phone, unless you crank the volume up. iPhone users benefit from lag-free videos which is great if you plan to stream shows from the treadmill.
Winner: Draw
Microphone quality
Microphone quality is straightforward: you’re going to sound significantly better when speaking through the Beats Powerbeats Pro than the standard Powerbeats. Both headsets de-emphasize particularly low frequencies (20-200Hz) in order to combat the proximity effect, but the Powerbeats Pro’s voice detecting accelerometers do a markedly better job of transmitting clear audio.
Beats Powerbeats microphone demo:
Beats Powerbeats Pro microphone demo:
Both systems clearly relay speech to the point where you’re not going to be misunderstood. Each also does a decent job of rejecting background noise, thanks to the downward-firing microphones, but if you want to sound as accurate as possible, get the Powerbeats Pro.
Winner: Beats Powerbeats Pro
The Beats Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro sound the same
Seeing as the earphones use the same drivers, it’s no surprise that the frequency response is virtually unchanged between the two models. As you can see in the charts, the the Beats Powerbeats Pro and Powerbeats amplify bass and sub-bass notes. This emphasis combined with the midrange dip means that vocals may sound about ¾ as loud as the bass and treble notes. Higher vocal registers, in particular, may be hard to identify in instrumentally busy songs. (Editor’s note: these two measurements were taken on two different fixtures in two different locations by two different testers. The variation is most likely due to an unintentional use of differently-sized eartips, and not a difference in the drivers themselves.)
This sort of frequency response isn’t hyper-accurate, but it isn’t trying to be. Instead, Beats went with a safe, consumer-preferred sound which may be described as “fun,” rather than analytical or accurate. It’s good for working out, as the added presence of low notes makes it easier to keep pace with the beat and stay motivated.
Isolation is virtually identical between the two sets of earbuds because, again, they’re pretty much the same. Although they’re unable to effectively filter out sounds like A/C units and nearby voices, they can block out general background noise, and are certainly more effective than the AirPods. To further improve isolation properties, you should invest in a pair of third-party memory foam ear tips. These wear down faster but do a much better job of shutting the world out.
Winner: Draw
Alright, folks, it’s clear that the Beats Powerbeats Pro win this versus, but there’s something we haven’t addressed yet: value. The standard Powerbeats afford much of the same functionality as the Powerbeats Pro and cost 25% less. Unless you’re extremely irritated by feeling a cable on the back of your neck or feel the Powerbeats microphone quality unsatisfactory, then the Powerbeats will be perfectly fine for a wide range of users. However, listeners who love true wireless technology and want the additional 24 hours of portable playtime will be extremely happy with the Powerbeats Pro.