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Beats by Dre have been a staple in the consumer headphone market for well over a decade. We put their newest premium earbuds, the Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro, through the wringer, testing everything from comfort and sound quality to noise cancellation and battery life. Overall, the Powerbeats Pro achieves decent scores across all metrics, providing a very comfortable, sturdy fit for all ear shapes and sizes. Their sound quality suffered from poor clarity at some volumes, and they lack features compared to their similarly priced premium competitors. However, these are high on our list for quality earbuds for active users. To see how they stood up to the competition, check out our comprehensive earbud review.
Beats by Dre recently released the Powerbeats Pro 2 which feature a lighter, more compact design, new wireless charging case, the Apple H2 chip for Active Noise Cancelling and Spatial Audio, and a built-in heart rate monitor. We're linking to the newer model.
A simple set of earbuds that fit well and sound solid
Those living in the Apple ecosystem will be blown away by sound and noise blocking, but they lack EQ adjustability, and Android users don't get all the features
Despite controls that lag, there is much to love about these buds, with great sound and some of the best noise cancellation
With a less impressive fit and battery life, these buds still shine thanks to immersive sound and superb noise cancellation
Average calls are tolerable, given the better sound and comfort for this price range
Rating Categories
Beats by Dre Powerbe...
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Samsung Galaxy Buds4...
Bose QuietComfort Ul...
Google Pixel Buds 2a
Sound Quality(35%)
5.8
8.2
8.2
8.7
7.5
Comfort & Fit(25%)
5.5
8.5
8.1
6.2
8.6
Noise Cancellation(20%)
4.7
8.9
8.3
8.4
7.4
App Features(10%)
2.7
7.3
7.0
7.0
6.9
Call Quality(10%)
5.8
9.6
7.2
8.0
6.2
Specifications
Beats by Dre Powerbe...
Apple AirPods Pro 3
Samsung Galaxy Buds4...
Bose QuietComfort Ul...
Google Pixel Buds 2a
Hours Comfortable
4
8.5
8.5
6
9
Active Noise Cancelling
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Hear Through Mode
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Measured Battery Life
9.3 hr
12.8 hr
7.8 hr
5.8 hr
6.8 hr
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP57
IP57
IPX4
IP54
Earbud Location Tracking
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No, earbuds can emit a sound but no true location tracking
Measured Weight
0.39 oz
0.19 oz
0.19 oz
0.25 oz
0.17 oz
Quick Charging
3 min
5 min
5 min
10 min
5 min
Charges Per Case
2
3
4.2
3
2.7
Claimed Battery Life
9 hrs
10.0 hrs
7.0 hrs
6.0 hrs
10.0 hrs
Charging Carrying Case
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Tested Wireless Charging Option
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Multipoint
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
In-ear Detection
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Ear Tips Sizes
4 sizes
5 sizes
3 sizes
3 sizes
4 sizes
Ear Fit Test
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Adjustable EQ
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
EQ Presets
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Though the Powerbeats Pro case is cumbersome, a 5-minute quick charge in the case can net you another 1.5 hours of playback. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Our Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro Experience
The Pro case is the largest in the group, maybe the largest earbud case we've ever seen. It is unlikely to fit in any pocket or purse but the largest, making it a tough sell to men who don't frequently carry a bag. It is square and thick, with 3D dimensions that aren't suitable for any standard place where we'd want to put a case. Some of us couldn't even fit it in the palm of our hand or wrap our fingers around it to hold it securely.
The Dre Powerbeats Pro case is too large for most pockets and may not be a suitable choice for those who don't regularly carry a bag to stow them in. Credit: Abriah Wofford
We get it, you're giving us something most buds don't offer with the flexible ear hooks, so maybe the bigger case is justifiable. However, it is also heavy. While we understand that the technology inside helps charge the buds between uses, it still feels heavier than most cases with similar charging capabilities. Even the lid feels oddly substantial and flimsy at the same time.
The charging pins on the Dre don't automatically line up with the buds every time. Credit: Wendy Schmitz
The buds are not labeled, but they fit only one way in the case and in your ears, so confusion wasn't an issue. However, the charging pins didn't instantly connect after every use, and we had to press on the arm of the buds to ensure they “clicked” into place. Not doing so meant the buds wouldn't charge at times when we thought they were.
The Powerbeats Pro have an impressive battery life. Credit: Jenna Ammerman
The Powerbeats Pro offers satisfactory connection. We had no trouble pairing with an iPad and other devices, and they consistently stayed connected without issue during testing.
The Powerbeats Pro provides various ear tips to help dial in the fit, which helps with the great passive noise cancelling abilities but also gives it a bit more of an invasive feel. Credit: Abriah Wofford
These buds come with four silicone tip sizes, and finding the right one is worth the effort. If the tip is too small, the bud presses too deeply into the canal, potentially creating a hot spot on the ear cartilage. If the tip is too large, the pressure inside the ear canal is significant, resulting in shorter wear times. Plus, the sound quality seems to be significantly impacted by how well the buds fit. When they are seated well, they are much more immersive and warm.
Finding the best fit for the Dre Pro is super important. Credit: Abriah Wofford
While we love these buds for workouts, running, and high-intensity activities, they generally fall short in key areas. Everything from sound and call quality to noise cancellation and comfort is below average, making them a poor choice for all-day listening, especially for work and commuting.
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a similar experience to the Pro with a slight bump in overall performance. The Pro 2 has a tighter ear hook, which negatively impacts comfort (for most), but it offers the same level of stability and a smaller case. The sound quality is remarkably similar, but the Pro 2 features active noise cancellation, which significantly enhances its noise cancellation performance and affects how sound is transmitted. We believe the app for the Pro 2 is worthwhile and offers more features than the Pro, but the Pro 2's call quality is a disappointment. Overall, we aren't big fans of either, especially if you don't need them for activities where stability is a big priority. However, if you need buds that can keep up with movements of all kinds, we think the Pro are a more comfortable fit, but we'd choose other buds for extended listening or better sound quality.
The PowerBeats Pro performed well enough, but struggled in a few key areas. The lack of customizable EQ and noise isolation makes them hard to recommend to all audiences. If you're an avid adventurer, like high-octane activity, and don't care about premium features like ANC and customizability, these are a solid option. However, in this price range, some competitors offer more advanced features, but they may not be as stable during intense activities.
Apple users whose highest priority isn't physical activity can score stellar ANC, some sound customizability, and better call quality with the Apple AirPods Pro 3. Android users might look to the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro for a better user experience and more premium features at a similar price.
Our Analysis and Test Results
We tested the Beats Powerbeats Pro with the help of our panel of expert listeners and a Bruel and Kjaer 5128-B head (a commercial-grade sound testing system). Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sound Quality
Our expert listeners feel the Powerbeats Pro lacks clarity at lower volumes. At high volumes, it sounds muddy and blown out, with vocals losing their crispness. Middle- to high-volume is the sweet spot, offering the clearest, punchiest soundscape.
These earbuds are bass-forward, followed by mids, then treble, making them a solid choice for your EDM or hip-hop lovers. If you enjoy punchy music and don't mind a somewhat unbalanced equalization (EQ), these are a good option. Songs like “I'd Rather Go Blind” by Etta James and “Lay Low” by Snoop Dog shine at 1:32 and 1:15, respectively, with the volume turned up slightly past the mid-mark.
Overall, these earbuds will make your average pop song sound fun and punchy, but if you prefer softer music, such as classical or folk, they may not be the best option.
Soundstage
While they don't offer the crispest vocal clarity, they do a good job of creating a vast, immersive arena when they fit well, and a mid-frequency song is playing. Songs like “Feels Like Rain” by Buddy Guy and Bonnie Raitt and “Tomorrow” by Shakey Graves sound great.
The large stabilization wings on the Powerbeats Pro wrap all the way around the back of the ear, ensuring that the earbuds won't fall out during physical activity. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Comfort and Fit
The Powerbeats Pro proved exceptionally stable and comfortable across all ear shapes we tested. These buds sit deep in the ear canal, providing a tight seal and good sound immersion, although they may cause discomfort to some users due to internal pressure.
Between the selection of ear tips and bendable stabilization wings, you can achieve a custom, comfortable fit with the Powerbeats Pro. Credit: Abriah Wofford
There is a flexible arm that wraps around the ear for ultimate stability during high-intensity activity, making them great for cyclists, runners, and gym-goers who want easy-to-use, secure earbuds with an immersive, punchy sound.
We used our testing rig to measure the noise pollution in various environments both passively and with ANC on. Credit: Abriah Wofford
Noise Cancellation
The Powerbeats Pro don't offer active noise cancellation, but they do have a passive seal that works like an earplug.
ANC Performance by Frequency Range
Product
Low
Mid
High
Best
32.6
27.3
36.7
Average
17.9
21.7
27.4
Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro
1.6
9.0
26.9
Worst
0.0
0.0
1.0
They have silicone ear canal tips that block some background noise, but you can still hear high-volume background noise.
We wouldn't recommend these buds if your primary use is commuting or travel, as they don't do much to dampen the whir, hum, and chatter around you. You can increase the volume to help block out the background, but these are better suited for environments like a gym, where you'll want your music louder.
The only customization the Powerbeats Pro have is their swappable ear tips. You won't be able to change EQ in the app. Credit: Abriah Wofford
App Features
The Powerbeats Pro lost favor due to its limited sound customizability. You can't adjust the EQ or test the ear seal. Due to the limited EQ customization, if you prefer softer music, these might not be the right choice.
Battery Life
The PowerBeats Pro battery performance lasted a whopping 9 hours and 20 minutes (20 minutes longer than the manufacturer claims) before requiring a recharge.
You can squeeze out another 1.5 hours of playback time with just 5 minutes in the charging case. After longer charging times, the case provides an additional 18 hours of playback with two charges.
While we're able to hear deeper and louder voices with these buds on public transit, it's tough to understand soft-spoken individuals. Make sure to unmute the video to listen. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Call Quality
We tested the PowerBeats Pro call quality in different environments.
In this stress test, we can hear slight chatter in the background, but we're still able to hear the man and woman's voices loud and clear. Credit: Natalie Kafader
Without background noise, the PowerBeats Pro sounds great, providing very clear calls. In an office setting, we began hearing background noise bleed through, slightly distorting the voices. During the subway testing, the Dre Powerbeats struggled to keep up, particularly distorting higher-frequency voices and allowing a lot of background noise through.
Here is how a Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro call sounds in a soundless room.
Overall, the Powerbeats Pro performed well, given that they are among the least tech-infused buds in our lineup. However, they aren't the best option if you plan on taking calls in loud environments.
—Graham Faulknor, Genaveve Bradshaw, and Alex Hocevar-Smith
