The Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro are excellent choices if you need earbuds that won’t fall out even during a particularly intense and sweaty workout. These headphones have great battery life, are comfortable to wear, and stay put during exercise. Furthermore, because they are both made by Apple, they will work perfectly with your iPhone and provide you with tons of additional benefits.
But which one do you think you should get? We’ve spent a lot of time with both the compact, high-tech Beats Fit Pro and the over-ear, long-lasting Powerbeats Pro, and we’re here to help you make the right choice.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro At A Glance
| Beats Fit Pro | Beats Powerbeats Pro | ||
| Noise Cancellation | ANC and Transparency Mode | None | |
| Microphones | Microphone with wind reduction | One in each earbud | |
| Connectivity | Supports iOS and Android | Supports iOS and Android | |
| IP rating | IPX4 | IPX4 | |
| Chip | Apple H1 | Apple H1 | |
| Spatial Audio | Yes, with head tracking | Yes | |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning | |
| Earbuds battery life | Up to 6 hours | Up to 9 hours | |
| Charging case battery life | Up to 18 hours | Over 24 hours | |
| Price | $199 | $249 | |
| Wireless Charging Case | No | No | |
| Battery Life (Rated) | 6 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC Off), 27 hours (ANC on with charging case), 30 hours (ANC off with charging case) | 6 hours (ANC on), 7 hours (ANC Off), 27 hours (ANC on with charging case), 30 hours (ANC off with charging case) | |
Beats Fit Pro vs. Powerbeats Pro: Price, Availability, and Technical Specifications
Both the Beats Fit Pro and the Powerbeats Pro have been available for some time, but the former is the newer pair. The Beats Fit Pro was released in 2021 with an all-new design aimed at flexibility and durability. They don’t have a stem, either; they’re similar to the Beats Studio Buds+, but with an additional wingtip that keeps the earbuds in place. The Beats Fit Pro was originally available in four colors, but thanks to collaborations with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, there are now more versions available. They retail for $200, but you can occasionally find them on sale at third-party retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon.
The Powerbeats Pro was one of the first headphones to include an Apple chip for easy pairing when they were released in 2019. They have a larger overall footprint than the Fit Pro, but they’re more secure thanks to the ear hooks. Though they originally sold for $250, the earbuds are now available for $200 from most retailers, including Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and Target. If you want to get them directly from Apple, you’ll have to pay the full $250. The Powerbeats Pro is available in black, navy, and ivory colorways.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro: Design and Fit
Because the Beats Fit Pro and Powerbeats Pro are manufactured by the same company, many of the internal specifications and features will be similar. However, their form factors differ, and this may be the most important factor in your purchasing decision. Although they are both workout headphones with hooks to keep them secure, they go about it in different ways.
The Powerbeats Pro has an ear hook that protrudes from the top of the earbud and is designed to wrap around your outer ear. This means that the earbuds will not fall out; even if the ear tips pop out of your ear canal, the hook will remain as a failsafe. The actual earbuds are large as a result of this design. This may cause some fatigue during longer listening sessions, but you should not experience any discomfort while working out. There are also multiple ear tip sizes included to help you find the perfect fit.
Read Also: One Airpod Not Working: Common Problems & Fixes
The Beats Fit Pro, on the other hand, has a wingtip on each ear—a small piece of silicone that helps the earbuds stay secure. When you insert the earbuds into your inner ear canal, the wingtip rests on the triangular fossa in your ear. Because it is located on the inside of your outer ear, it is ideal for those who do not want the bulk of an external ear hook. However, because ears come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the Fit Pro will most likely fit better on some than others. In terms of size, the Beats Fit Pro is tiny, so you’re more likely to forget you’re wearing them during a workout than the Powerbeats Pro.
Because you’ll most likely be using the Powerbeats Pro and Beats Fit Pro while working out, you’ll want to make sure the earbuds are durable. Both models are IPX4 water-resistant, which means they can withstand sweat and light rain. However, because they are not waterproof, you should not wear them while swimming or participating in other water sports. However, because of the IP rating, you won’t have to worry about your earbuds breaking if it begins to rain or if you begin to sweat. Furthermore, both models are made of hard plastic with a matte finish, so they won’t scratch as easily as glossy earbuds.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro: Battery Life and Charging
The Powerbeats Pro has a good battery life, but that’s partly because it doesn’t have any of the advanced features mentioned above. Having said that, the earbuds have some of the best battery life of any true wireless earbuds on the market today. Each earbud has a battery life of nine hours, with more than 24 hours of additional charge available in the included charging case. I wouldn’t call the case pocketable. However, when thrown in a gym bag or backpack, the Powerbeats Pro and their case can easily provide a week of hours-long workouts. When you need an extra charge quickly, a five-minute fast charge gives you an hour of battery life.
That’s not to say the Beats Fit Pro doesn’t have a long battery life. When the ANC features are turned on, these earbuds provide six hours of listening time. With these features turned off, the Fit Pro’s battery life may rival that of the Powerbeats Pro, but your mileage may vary. According to Beats, the charging case will provide an extra 18 hours of charge. Although the Beats Fit Pro charging case is slightly smaller than the Powerbeats Pro charging case, it is still not pocketable. However, the Beats Fit Pro offers the same five-minute fast fuel, which is convenient.
Read Also: One Airpod Not Working: Common Problems & Fixes
However, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to charging. The Powerbeats Pro charges via a Lightning connector, which is unfortunate for Android users who are unlikely to use that connector for anything else. The Beats Fit Pro, on the other hand, uses a USB-C port, which should make it more compatible with other devices in your ecosystem. Most importantly, the earbuds themselves charge via metal pins within the charging case. However, in everyday use, the earbuds do not always make solid connections with these metal contacts, and you may experience times when your earbuds do not charge. It’s infuriating, and it’s a design flaw that affects both the Powerbeats Pro and the Beats Fit Pro.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro: Sound Quality and Active Noise Cancellation
When it comes to sound options, the Powerbeats Pro is beginning to show its age, especially when compared to the Beats Fit Pro. In terms of feature set, the Beats Fit Pro, which will be released in 2021, is comparable to the first-generation AirPods Pro. That’s high praise because it means the Fit Pro has great features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode. Unfortunately, there are no ANC options on the Powerbeats Pro. Most people will use the Powerbeats Pro as a dedicated pair of workout earbuds. If you’re looking for a pair of workout earbuds that can also double as your daily driver, the Beats Fit Pro is unquestionably the more versatile option.
The Powerbeats Pro sounds good despite lacking some of the more modern features. For example, while the Powerbeats Pro supports spatial audio, it does not support dynamic head tracking. If you’re just looking for a pair of workout earbuds, this may not matter to you.
What will matter are the physical controls, which the Powerbeats Pro excels at. Each earbud has a play/pause button as well as a volume rocker, allowing you to control your music without picking up your phone or using a smartwatch. The Beats Fit Pro has controls built into the logo on the side of the buds that you can use to play, pause, or skip between audio tracks. Unfortunately, you must use Siri to adjust the audio, which is an odd choice.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro: Processor and Connectivity
We won’t waste much time comparing the Fit Pro and the Powerbeats Pro in terms of processor and connectivity. Both pairs of earbuds include an Apple H1 chip, which enables features like quick pairing and Spatial Audio. Because of the inclusion of the chip, both earbuds support Bluetooth 5.0. You can also use Find My compatibility on iOS to help you locate your misplaced items.
The Powerbeats Pro and the Beats Fit Pro differ in that, while both are Android compatible, only the latter has nice-to-have features like quick pairing and automatic switching on that platform. This is a common theme throughout this comparison; because the Powerbeats Pro are four years old, they lack the quality-of-life features we expect from modern earbuds.
Beats Fit Pro vs Powerbeats Pro: Which Is Best for You?
It’s difficult to beat the Powerbeats Pro when it comes to dedicated workout earbuds. The external ear hook makes it nearly impossible for the earbuds to fall out while you’re wearing them. Plus, with a nine-hour battery life, you can wear these all day without missing a beat. And, while the Powerbeats Pro lacks quality-of-life features like ANC or head-tracked spatial audio, this is unimportant during workouts. Sound and fit are more important, and the Powerbeats Pro excels in both areas.
The Powerbeats Pro is an excellent AirPods substitute. They pair instantly with your Apple devices, support Spatial Audio content, and provide up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge. Because of their sweat and water resistance, you can wear them while jogging or working out at the gym with confidence. You can also use smart features such as Hey Siri and audio playback control.
The Beats Fit Pro is an excellent choice for those looking for a daily driver that can also serve as a pair of workout headphones. Simply put, the Beats Fit Pro is the fitness version of the first-generation AirPods Pro. This is good news for people who want to use headphones on the subway and at the gym. With great ANC and spatial audio features, as well as full feature parity with iOS and Android, it’s difficult not to like the Beats Fit Pro.
Do Beats Fit Pros Fall Out?
The Beats Fit Pro combines ear tips and a wing to ensure a snug fit in the ear canal. This helps prevent the headphones from falling out. If you plan on using your earbuds during workouts, or if you just want the comfort of knowing that they will not fall out as you rush for the bus, it is a significant improvement over the fit of the AirPods.
Can I Swim With Beats Fit Pro?
The Powerbeats, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Studio Buds, Beats Studio Buds +, and Beats Fit Pro earbuds that you have are resistant to sweat and water, but they are not sweatproof or waterproof.
Why Are Beats Fit Pro More Expensive?
The inclusion of the H1 chip in the Beats Fit Pro headphones is the primary factor responsible for the price difference between other headphones and the Beats Studio Buds. This gives them access to hands-free Siri as well as support for spatial audio on Apple Music, Apple TV, and FaceTime.
Can You Wear Beats Fit Pro To Sleep?
Yes, you can. The active noise-canceling technology is included with your purchase of Beats headphones. Because of this, you will be able to sleep undisturbed throughout the night despite the presence of ambient noise. The headphones come with various sound settings that can be changed, allowing you to personalize the amount of noise cancellation to best suit your preferences.
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