What to know first
- First Powerbeats Pro with active noise cancellation, using Apple's H2 chip
- Redesigned ear hooks aim for better comfort and a more secure workout fit
- Built-in heart-rate sensor tracks pulse during exercise without a separate wearable
- Available in four color options
- Best suited to Apple device owners who train regularly
A gym earbud that finally caught up to its own idea
The original Powerbeats Pro launched in 2019 and became a fixture in gym bags for one simple reason: the ear hook stayed put when nothing else did. But it never had noise cancellation, and six years is a long time to go without it in a category where every competitor added ANC as a baseline feature.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 closes that gap and then some. Beats rebuilt the earbud around Apple's H2 chip, the same silicon in AirPods Pro 2, and used the upgrade to add active noise cancellation, refine the driver, and fit a heart-rate sensor into the housing. It's a earbud built specifically for people who move while they listen, not a general earbud that happens to have a hook.
Beats isn't asking you to pay a premium for the hook design anymore. It's asking you to pick the form factor that matches how you actually use earbuds.
The heart-rate sensor earns its place, unlike most gimmick features
A lot of fitness tech bolts on a sensor because it looks good on a spec sheet, not because it changes anything. The Powerbeats Pro 2 sensor is different mainly because of what it's paired with: an ear hook engineered to stay secure through sprints and lifts. A heart-rate reading is only as good as the contact behind it, and a earbud that shifts mid-run gives you noisy, unreliable data. Beats redesigning the hook alongside the sensor is the detail that makes the feature worth using instead of ignoring.
Active noise cancellation is the other headline addition, and it's the first time this line has offered it. Beats is using the same H2 chip that powers ANC in AirPods Pro 2, which puts the two earbuds on comparable footing for silencing steady background noise like gym HVAC systems, treadmill hum, or a loud commute. Like any ANC earbud, it will do more for constant, low-frequency noise than it will for a gym neighbor talking loudly next to you, so keep expectations aligned with what ANC actually solves.
Running the same chip as AirPods Pro 2 also means the Powerbeats Pro 2 picks up H2-era conveniences: better call quality processing, more efficient wireless performance, and tighter integration with Apple's ecosystem, including hands-free Siri and Find My tracking if a bud goes missing at the gym.
Built for the moment your old earbuds would have failed you
The redesigned ear hooks are the ownership detail that matters most day to day. Beats reworked both the hook shape and the overall ergonomics for this generation, aiming for a more comfortable, more secure fit than the original Powerbeats Pro delivered. For anyone who's had an earbud loosen during a set of pull-ups or a hard sprint, that's the difference between trusting the product and constantly adjusting it.
Because the hook goes over the ear rather than relying purely on an in-ear seal, sweat and movement are less likely to knock the fit loose than with a stem-style earbud like AirPods Pro. That's the practical case for choosing this shape over a more general-purpose ANC earbud: workouts are the scenario where a stable physical fit outperforms a marginally smaller profile.
Available in four colors, the Powerbeats Pro 2 also gives buyers some choice beyond the standard black, which matters if these are going to live visibly in a gym bag or on a run rather than tucked away in a case.
Where the H2 chip works against Android owners
The clearest caveat is ecosystem lock-in. Because the standout features, ANC quality, Siri integration, Find My support, and the broader H2 chip advantages, are built around Apple's software, Android owners won't get the same experience even though the earbuds will still pair and play music.
The ear hook design is also a trade-off, not a universal upgrade. It's the right call for workouts, but it adds bulk and a different wearing sensation compared to a stem-style earbud, so buyers who want the smallest possible daily-wear profile for commuting or office use may find AirPods Pro 2 a better fit for non-gym hours.
As with any ANC claim, don't expect it to erase every kind of noise. It's built to reduce steady, low-frequency sound, not sudden gym announcements or nearby conversation, so judge the feature by what it's designed to quiet, not by a blanket promise of silence.
The specs that matter
Powers active noise cancellation, more efficient wireless connection, and Apple ecosystem features like hands-free Siri, so the earbud's software experience leans heavily toward iPhone owners.
Cuts steady background noise like gym equipment hum or engine drone. It won't eliminate sudden sounds or nearby conversation, so treat it as noise reduction, not noise elimination.
Tracks pulse during workouts without a chest strap or watch, and it's paired with a redesigned hook meant to keep contact steady during movement, which is what makes the readings trustworthy.
A more secure fit during running, lifting, or any high-movement activity means fewer mid-workout adjustments and a more reliable seal for both audio and the heart-rate sensor.
Matches AirPods Pro 2 exactly, which frames the real buying decision as fit and use case (gym-first hook design versus general-purpose stem earbud) rather than price.
Gives buyers visual choice for a product that tends to be worn visibly during workouts rather than hidden under hair or hoods.
Who this product fits
The runner tired of earbuds falling out mid-stride
The redesigned ear hook is built specifically for this problem. Combined with a heart-rate sensor that depends on stable contact, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is aimed squarely at someone whose past earbuds needed constant repositioning during runs.
The gym-goer who also wants ANC on the train home
Getting active noise cancellation in this line for the first time means one earbud can now handle the loud gym floor and the quieter commute afterward, without swapping to a different pair for noise control.
The Android user comparing prices
An Android owner will still get the fit and ANC benefits but should expect a plainer software experience for the same money.
The office worker who barely exercises
The ear hook and heart-rate sensor solve problems this buyer doesn't have. A stem-style ANC earbud built for all-day comfort in a smaller shape is a better daily match than a workout-first design.
What else to compare
A few other options are worth weighing before settling on the hook design.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 FAQ
Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 have noise cancellation?
Yes, this is the first Powerbeats Pro generation to include active noise cancellation, powered by Apple's H2 chip. It's effective against steady background noise but won't fully block sudden sounds or nearby voices.
Is the heart-rate sensor accurate?
Beats paired the sensor with a redesigned ear hook meant to keep steady contact during movement, which is the main factor in reliable heart-rate readings. Fit quality during your specific workout will still affect consistency.
Are Powerbeats Pro 2 better than AirPods Pro 2?
They cost the same and share the H2 chip, so the decision comes down to shape. Powerbeats Pro 2 suits workouts and high-movement activity better because of the ear hook, while AirPods Pro 2 suits general daily wear with a smaller profile.
Do Powerbeats Pro 2 work well with Android phones?
They'll pair and play audio, but features tied to the H2 chip, like hands-free Siri and Find My, are built for Apple devices and won't carry over to Android in the same way.
What colors are available?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 comes in four color options, giving buyers some choice beyond a single standard finish.
How do these compare to the original Powerbeats Pro?
The 2019 original had no noise cancellation and a less refined hook design. The Powerbeats Pro 2 adds ANC, a heart-rate sensor, the H2 chip, and reworked ergonomics, making it a substantial redesign rather than a small update.
Worth the price if your ears actually move during the day
Six years between generations is a long wait, but Beats used the time well. Adding noise cancellation, a heart-rate sensor that's backed by a genuinely improved fit, and Apple's H2 chip turns the Powerbeats Pro 2 into a earbud that competes on features, not just on its hook gimmick.
The decision comes down to how you actually use earbuds. If workouts are part of your routine and you want one pair that handles the gym floor and the commute afterward, the Powerbeats Pro 2 is built for exactly that. If your days are mostly sitting still, save the hook design for someone who needs it and look at a smaller ANC earbud instead.