Beats Powerbeats Pro Powerbeats Pro 2

The best workout earbuds on the planet, with ANC that rivals Sony and a fit that laughs at burpees. If you don't exercise regularly, these are overkill and average-sounding overpriced.

The Powerbeats Pro 2 are the gym companion you didn't know you needed. Beats packed top-tier ANC into a true wireless sport earbud, then added actual heart rate monitoring that works with your fitness apps. The killer feature is the earhook design. It stays locked in place during the sweatiest HIIT class or a 10-mile run, and you get 10 hours of playback per earbud with a total of 45 hours from the case. For anyone who's ever had an earbud fly across the treadmill, these are a revelation.

We expected good ANC based on the 97th percentile ranking, and it delivers. The adaptive noise canceling is right up there with Sony and Bose, drowning out gym clatter or airplane drone. What surprised us was the battery endurance. Ten hours on a charge is brutal for true wireless earbuds, and the case adds another 35 hours. Sound quality sits at the 85th percentile. It's a V-shaped, workout-friendly tune with punchy bass, but don't expect the detail or refinement of audiophile buds. Call performance is solid, and the transparency mode lets in just enough ambient noise for outdoor safety. The heart rate sensor is surprisingly accurate for steady-state efforts, though it can lag during explosive intervals. The elephant in the room is the 31st percentile user sentiment. A 4.4-star average looks fine, but that low ranking tells us some owners are hitting persistent connection glitches or long-term comfort issues.

Pricing is a rollercoaster, anywhere from $128 for a renewed set to $350 brand new. At the low end, these are an absolute steal for gym rats. At $350, you're paying a premium that doesn't track with the sound quality or feature set. We'd aim for the $200 sweet spot on a new pair, and if you spot a renewed deal from Amazon at $128, buy it before it disappears.

Stacked against the Sony WF-1000XM5, the Powerbeats Pro 2 win on workout security and battery but lose on pure sound detail and noise canceling refinement. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra are more comfortable for all-day wear, but they lack the earhook confidence for intense movement. The Technics EAH-AZ100-K and Sennheiser Momentum TW4 outclass the Beats on audio fidelity, yet neither offers the same grab-the-earband stability. If you're a runner, crossfitter, or cyclist, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are the obvious pick. For desk listening, pick any of the others.

If you're buying earbuds mostly for commuting, Netflix, or long-haul flights and you don't need the earhook security, skip these. The Sony WF-1000XM5 or Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 deliver richer sound, better noise canceling, and a smaller case for less money. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are built for sweat and motion, not for lounging.

If your workout is the main event, buy the Powerbeats Pro 2. The combination of bulletproof fit, marathon battery, and genuinely useful ANC is unmatched. The heart rate sensor is a nice bonus that pushes them past pure audio competitors. Just don't expect record-store-level sound quality, and maybe wait for a sale below $250 to feel great about the deal.