In-ear sports headphones tested: Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro
30.4.2020
Translation: machine translated
Clear sound, a comfortable fit and a long battery life. That's what characterises the Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro sports headphones from Apple - even in the shower.
Who beats, sorry beats, my SoundSport Free? For two years now, I've sworn by the true wireless sports headphones from Bose, whether I'm jogging or working out. They sit comfortably in my ears, the sound is just right, as is the battery life and they are easy to use. What more could I want? During this time, however, some new products from various manufacturers have been added. Including from Beats by Dr Dre and Apple.
And here this comment recently caught my eye: "You can only get quality for the money from Bose and Sony."
Prejudices: Throw them overboard
Cool design, mediocre sound and expensive. In short, that was my attitude towards Beats headphones until now. I had first-generation Powerbeats a few years ago. Conclusion at the time: cool design, mediocre sound, expensive and poor battery life. Everyone deserves a second chance and prejudices need to be refuted or confirmed. So, here we go: Testing the Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro.
Design: strong
The design has never been the weakness of Apple products. On the contrary. Both the Powerbeats and the Pro version impress me with their appearance. As we all know, there's no accounting for taste. I don't think anyone can design like Apple. And the advertising for their products? Perhaps advertising is generally out to make fun of us. In any case, Apple's is as impressive as ever:
Specs: H1 Power
So much for the exterior. What's inside the two in-ear headphones? Among other things, the H1 chip, which you may already know from the new generation of AirPods. It is the centrepiece and is installed in both models. Among other things, the chip ensures that the headphones connect quickly to the paired devices via Bluetooth. Whether Android phone, iOS tablet or Garmin sports watch: this works flawlessly with both models. The connection is stable and there are no significant interruptions.
The headphones also score highly in terms of range. Even if my phone is in the bedroom, I still have music in my ears when I'm making coffee in the kitchen. That really is music to my ears, because the bedroom and the kitchen are the furthest rooms in my flat from each other. There are a good 25 steps between them. And that doesn't work with the aforementioned SoundSport Free from Bose. They stop at the kitchen door at the latest and the connection is interrupted.
On a full charge, the Powerbeats' lithium-ion battery provides up to 15 hours of music playback, while the Powerbeats Pro battery provides up to 9 hours. With the charging case, you can even get up to 24 hours with the Pros. Either way; enough juice for a long workout or a marathon.
Both models are 5.6 centimetres high, whereby the Powerbeats are slightly heavier at 26.3 grams than the Pros at 20.3 grams. One fly in the ointment is the charging case. On the one hand, it is very stylish, as is typical of Apple. On the other hand, at 7.7 centimetres high, it is rather clunky.
The scope of delivery includes:
- Powerbeats Pro in-ear headphones complete without cable or wireless Powerbeats in-ear headphones
- Charging case or pouch
- Ear tips in four different sizes
- Lightning to USB-A charging cable
- Quick start guide
- Warranty card
Operation: child's play
Once the headphones are configured, they are automatically recognised by devices that are registered with iCloud and use iOS 10 or later, macOS Sierra or later and watchOS 3 or later. If you have an Android device, download the Beats app for Android from the Google Play Store. Both Powerbeats will automatically connect to the last device they were used with. To connect them to another device, follow the steps on the respective device. To keep the firmware of the headphones up to date, use either the Beats Updater or the Beats app for Android.
Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro have voice control. This works hands-free on iOS devices via "Hey Siri". On all other devices, you activate the voice control via one of the two b-buttons on the sides of the in-ear headphones. Not one of my favourite functions, as I don't answer calls or quickly check the stock market when I'm interval training in the forest or jumping squad in the living room. When I'm exercising, I do sports and nothing else. Talking to Siri or anyone else while I'm doing it distracts me. I don't like that.
Speaking of favourite functions: The Powerbeats Pro have quite a few. Both buds have their own controls, for example. You can control your music, calls etc. individually on the left and right. Or automatic playback: the headphones use sensors to recognise whether they are in your ears and automatically start playback. If you take one of the buds out of your ear, the music stops. When you put it back in, the music continues.
The Powerbeats are controlled in the classic way. You switch the headphones on and off on the left. You also control the pairing here. On the right, you control the volume, tap through your music and take calls.
Sound: made for sport
This is one of those things with sound. I'm not a sound engineer. That's why I don't presume to judge the sound of the two headphones conclusively. Some like more bass, others less. For some, the sound is weaker in the centre, for others in the treble. Maybe you listen to old school hip hop during training, maybe Mozart. I don't know.
Just this much: the manufacturer promises a powerful, balanced sound with a dynamic sound spectrum and noise isolation for both models. That works for me. Both the Powerbeats and the Pros deliver a rich, clear sound with decent bass for sports use. There is also no noticeable latency when streaming. Picture and sound are synchronised. Overall, I am positively surprised by the sound of these in-ear headphones.
Wearing comfort: wireless or true wireless?
Question: When are headphones wireless? I'm not a wireless expert, but I am a copywriter. And I just can't get it through my head that the first thing I see when I open the packaging of the wireless Powerbeats is, of all things, a cable. Even if this cable only connects the two ear buds together. Yes, I know, the Powerbeats Pro are true wireless headphones. Then the other ones should be called untrue-wireless headphones or something. Okay, enough grumbling. This detail isn't that important after all.
The wireless ones, i.e. the ones with the cable, are comfortable to wear when jogging. The cable doesn't bother me. I can concentrate on running and the music. That suits me. At home in the living room doing press-ups and Jump Squad is a different story. The part in my neck gets on my nerves. Even if it has been redesigned by Apple, is now round and is called a connector in the manufacturer's jargon. The sticky plastic thing bothers me.
In complete contrast to the Powerbeats Pro true wireless headphones, which sit comfortably in my ears both when jogging and doing bodyweight training at home. They don't slip, don't fall out and don't cause any uncomfortable pressure points even after more than two hours. That's how it should be. I've even got used to the ear hooks in the meantime.
Both models are sweat and water resistant. I put them to the test and take them in the shower. Carefully, I don't put my head under the shower, but I shower with them. And both headphones do just fine. Chapeau.
Conclusion: time to let go of preconceptions
I tested the Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro for a fortnight. I did bodyweight training at home, went jogging with them and even took a shower. As mentioned at the beginning, a pair of sports headphones should impress with clear sound, a comfortable fit and a long battery life. Both Powerbeats have a clear sound, a good battery and a comfortable fit.
They are easy to use, especially the Pros convince me with the independent control via the left and right buds. Whether iOS or Android: pairing and connecting via Bluetooth works smoothly and the connection is stable at all times. The Powerbeats are penalised for the cable, which gets in the way of my workout. For the Pros, it's the size of the charging case that stands out negatively.
At 150 and 200 francs (euros) respectively, the Powerbeats and Powerbeats Pro cost a lot of money. The comparable models from Bose are only marginally cheaper. Those from Sony cost in the wireless version around 30 francs, as true-wireless headphones around 60 francs (euros) less.
Prejudices want to be refuted or confirmed. Yes, I had my reservations about the Powerbeats from Apple. Now, two weeks and a few hours of sport later, I have to revise my opinion. The Pros in particular have won me over with their features. And if wireless, then the true wireless version please. I'm happy to invest a few francs more for that.
Quality for money is not just available from Bose and Sony. But also from Apple.
In addition to these two sports headphones, you can find around 2600 other models from various brands here. And you can follow one of around 270 authors at digitec Galaxus here
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.