AirPods Pro vs. Powerbeats Pro Buyer's Guide

[MacRumors]

Apple in late October 2019 surprised us with an upgraded version of the AirPods called the AirPods Pro, which feature Active Noise Cancellation, superior sound quality, and an all-new design.

Apple's AirPods Pro are its second set of headphones to feature the "Pro" moniker, following the Beats-branded Powerbeats Pro earbuds that Apple released back in April 2019. In this guide, we'll go over all of the differences between the AirPods Pro and the Powerbeats Pro.

Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos.​

AirPods Pro Design vs. PowerBeats Pro Design

The AirPods Pro are designed for casual use, while the Powerbeats Pro are aimed specifically at those who are using them for workouts like running, biking, and trips to the gym.

Design wise, the AirPods Pro look similar to the AirPods 2 but with a much shorter stem and a tweaked body design that incorporates flexible silicone ear tips, a first for the AirPods line. The silicone ear tips snap right onto the base of the AirPods Pro, allowing for a comfortable fit and Active Noise Cancellation technology.

Apple designed the silicone tips of the AirPods Pro to ensure a comfortable fit in most ears, with the design aimed at conforming to the contours of each individual ear for a superior seal.

AirPods Pro have also been designed with what Apple is calling an "innovative vent system" that's meant to equalize pressure within the ear to minimize discomfort that's common in other in-ear designs.

Apple says that AirPods Pro will make you feel like there's nothing in your ears, and in testing, we have found the AirPods Pro to be more comfortable than the Powerbeats Pro, especially over long periods of use.

The Powerbeats Pro also use silicone ear tips much like the AirPods Pro, but they're designed for fitness, also incorporating earhooks that fit over the ears to secure them in place.

Powerbeats Pro come with four tip sizes, rather than three, also offering a customized fit for each user. ‌Powerbeats Pro‌ are meant to stay in the ears during vigorous activity, and Apple says that it tested over 20 designs before settling on the current design that fits most people.

AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro both come in charging cases. The AirPods Pro charging case is larger than the charging case for the AirPods 2, but it's still quite a lot smaller than the case for the Powerbeats Pro, which is huge.

The Powerbeats Pro clamshell-style case is much larger because it has to incorporate the earhooks, which makes it almost unpocketable. The AirPods Pro case fits comfortably in a pocket.

Active Noise Cancellation

One of the key features of the AirPods Pro is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and this marks the first time that Apple has built ANC technology into earbuds. The feature has been previously used in over-ear Beats headphones, but not earbuds, including the Powerbeats Pro.

The Powerbeats Pro have silicone ear tips and offer noise isolation properties, but noise isolation is nowhere near as powerful as Active Noise Cancellation.

ANC uses two microphones and Apple's software algorithms to adapt sound to each user's ears. One microphone is outward-facing and designed to detect external sound to let the AirPods Pro analyze and cancel out environmental noise, while a second inward-facing microphone listens to sounds towards the ear to fine tune the noise cancellation.

AirPods Pro with Active Noise Cancellation can drown out a lot more sound than the Powerbeats Pro with simple noise isolation.

AirPods Pro also have a Transparency mode that's designed to tweak the Active Noise Cancellation algorithms so that you can continue to hear what's going on around you, useful for situations like commuting, listening for traffic, and more.

There is no Powerbeats Pro feature for filtering in ambient noises, which is something to be aware of as the Powerbeats Pro can drown out exterior sound with the volume turned up high enough.

Sound Differences

When announcing the Powerbeats Pro, Apple said that sound was a focus. The Powerbeats Pro are designed to offer powerful, balanced audio with pure sound reproduction, enhanced clarity, a... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: AirPods Pro vs. Powerbeats Pro Buyer's Guide

 

[MacInCharge]

My main reason for getting the AirPods Pro was the size of the case. I got tired of carrying the Powerbeats Pro case in pocket. I love both for different purposes.

 

[Flow39]

I love my Powerbeats Pros, they’re awesome. If the AirPods Pros would’ve been out when I bought my PBPs, I would’ve had a hard choice between these two pairs of earbuds. Both great products however, and I don’t think you can go wrong with either.

 

[TopherMan12]

I didn't care for the Powerbeats Pro. The sound just was not very good, especially when using it with my Apple Watch. I tried two different PBP as I had to return the first set for connectivity issues. Sounds wasn't any different. I went back to a pair of $25 bluetooth earbuds I got on Amazon. I really didn't want to believe that those sounded better.......but they just did. Haven't tried Airbuds Pro, but I'm not spending that much money on earphones again. Just don't think it is worth it.

 

[Baymowe335]

AirPods Pro seem to be another smash hit, absolutely nailed by Apple.

I can't get them at 7 different different Apple stores in my area.

 

[Will.O.Bie]

One of the main selling points AirPods Pro for me was ANC. So far, it hasn't disappoint in performing with what is advertised. You can hear it "closing the window" when you switch from active and inactive. Also, the battery life for active seems lesser than inactive, an accurate description of its features. This is not a big deal since the case is smaller than my Powerbeats Pro, so I can just get a quick charge if I need to. A win for APP imo.

 

[SyenceLabb]

From someone who values battery life and already own the Powerbeats Pro, I think I’ll wait for version 2. Doubling the battery life makes them the clear winner for me.

 

[Col4bin]

Not only do Jabra's Elite series sound amazing, but they look 100x better than Apple's AirPods.

 

[crouch]

Phone Calls

Calls on both the AirPods Pro and Powerbeats Pro are crisp, clear, and sound great with little difference between them.

What's interesting is that I've seen multiple reviews on this forum say that folks on the receiving end of the calls have been frustrated.

While using my new Pros, I've today had two people on the other side of the phonecall tell me, my call sound quality was so bad, they simply had to hang up.

In the first case I was just walking next to regular city traffic, no wind. Second time was in a not too crowded café. The Pros seemed to pick up unbearable amounts of surrounding noises for the caller.

I opened up the pros halfway though my day yesterday and used them like normal in my usual starbucks spot. Every single person i talked to commented on how I sounded like I was far away and that the back ground noise was alot louder. Essentialy i sounded clearer and with less background noise on the old ones.

yea in a phone call with the pro, my wife could hear the radio in the background. but on the normal ones it wasnt. yea I am wondering if the mic on the pro are not as good since its not as close to your mouth.

Phone conversations: not good – very distracting with NC and even distracting with transpar. on: own voice like… numb.

On phone conversations your own voice does sound numb compared to orginal airpods.

Since using the Airpod Pros this week and on calls people have been commenting on how they are having a hard time hearing me. This is something that never happened with my regular AirPods. From what I can gather it sounds like the external noise cancellation or noise reduction algorithm is getting confused with the noise outside and my voice and effectively cutting out or reducing my voice and boosting the background noise.
Are others running into this problem? The common complaint I’m getting when talking on the phone with the Airpod Pro is that the background noise is too loud.

Same here too. I can't hear my husband at all when he calls me using his Pro's

This is what's holding me off from buying them. I'd love more reviews to see if the issue gets fixed, or if it's a settings issue (toggling one of the features on or off).

 

[djcerla]

Cue MR forum readers reactions on Beats acquisition.

 

[dogslobber]

I'm curious to hear (no pun) which leads to hearing loss the quickest.

 

[blairh]

I have both and will be returning the APP. However I like the APP a great deal and do recommend them to others.

Ultimately I prefer the sound signature of the PP. They also are more comfortable in my ears. I tried every tip of the APP and none felt as right as the PP. Plus the volume rocker on each bud is a big advantage.

The APP shine in that they have such a small case that is easy to carry in your front pocket. I have the AirPods 2.0 which I thought I would sell and keep the APP but will now keep those instead. I do see myself one day owning a future AirPod model with hopefully volume control.

 

[FasterQuieter]

I owned the Powerbeats Pro last week. Got them on sale for $140. I returned them and got the AirPods Pro on Saturday. The Powerbeats Pro were a little buggy, they took some coaxing to switch between devices sometimes. They hurt one of my ears, and I was never sure if they were in properly. The angle you force them in is strange and makes it very difficult to judge. Also, the case was too big for my pocket. I prefer the AirPods Pro in every way. They sound better, fit better, Siri works better and they fit in my pocket. Noise cancelling is amazingly effective for something so small. I am very pleased I exchanged them. Money be damned.

 

[MMX2]

I have had the PP's since they came out. They fit well, they sound great, and have never had issues with making or taking calls. I would not get the APP for fear I would lose one - I have odd shaped ear lobes and I I do not think they would fit properly in my ears. I may however, get the moss colored ones-especially now that you can find them for $199...

 

[B4U]

Correction, not the second set of headphones to use the "pro" moniker.
That title belongs to Solo pro, since it was announced before the AirPods pro.

 

[PabloSRT8]

Sony WF-1000xm3 sound much, much better.
AirPods Pro have same or even better ANC.
Also, the AirPods Pro are more comfortable to my ears and the ease of connection is 100x better.
I own both.

 

[macmyworld]

Really nice write-up. My biggest beef with the Powerbeats is the charging case. You have to put the things in there just right or they do not charge and drain. I initially had some auto-on pairing issues that appear to have cleared up. The Powerbeats sound good but not excellent. Need to try the Airpod Pros

 

[Black Belt]

The Powerbeats Pro are a superior product. Hands down.

 

[OneMike]

These are my workout headphones so I’m happy with my Powerbeats Pro. That said. If I were buying today I’d at least consider the AirPods. The original AirPods I had were great

 

[Nicky G]

I spent $249 on my PowerBeats Pro, not long after they were released. I decided to try out the Airpods Pro the day they were released. The ANC is really good -- wish my PowerBeats Pro had it. But I consider the bass profile to be much better with the Powerbeats Pro, especially for a lot of the type of electronic music I listen to. The battery life is incredible, almost magical-seeming. And these days, they can be had for $199 quite easily. I still think the Powerbeats Pro, for many people anyway, are the winner. However, Airpods Pro are a good, maybe even great product, and I would expect Apple to sell MANY of them.

 

[calzon65]

For the same price PowerBeats Pro have double the battery life … that's enough for me.

 

[rdavis41]

The biggest issue for me with the APP is the seal. It took me 4 days to figure out how to get a good seal. Once that is done, their sound blows away the Powerbeats Pro.

 

[V.K.]

I have PBP (bought them a few months ago) but the over the ear hooks really hurt my ears after prolonged use. The review mentions that APB don't hurt as much. can anybody else who's had both comment on this?

 

[robjulo]

The biggest negative I’ve found about the PBP is the charging. It is extremely flaky and often times the buds don’t make solid contact with the charging prongs in the case and they end up not charging. It’s happened on two separate sets.

 

[Analog Kid]

Anybody else having problems getting the APPs to fit? My left ear seals just fine, but none of the tips work in my right ear... I think they just aren't long enough.