Testing conducted by Apple in March 2019 using pre-production Powerbeats Pro units and Powerbeats3 Wireless units and software paired with iPhone XS units and pre-release software. Testing consisted of transferring phone call audio from iPhone to Powerbeats Pro and Powerbeats3 Wireless. Performance depends on device settings, environment and many factors.

Apple’s rebuttal to that statement is that the Powerbeats can last up to nine hours in between charges and store about two charges in the case. When you combine those numbers, Apple claims the Powerbeats Pro have a 24-hour battery and should last a few days between charges—a claim to be fairly accurate during testing, getting two and a half charges from the case with about eight-or-so hours of use per charge. Where we found the Beats Powerbeats Pro to perform their best is in a near-quiet environment, like your office, your home or your gym—because you can use hands-free Siri, they’re great for setting timers in between sets and placing calls to friends and clients.

It’s a feeling of real disappointment. Even the bass, where we expect these headphones to excel, is missing weight, authority and the punch we’d hoped for. Verdict Best of all, the controls are duplicated on each earpiece, so there’s no need to remember which side does what – that could make a difference when you’re on the treadmill and every little hesitation counts. Ultimately, while the Beats Powerbeats Pro impressed us, they’re simply not the best true wireless earbuds on the market.

You’ll also be made frustratingly aware of all of these issues when you take the Beats Powerbeats Pro with you on any form of public transit—for all its other features, the Powerbeats Pro still don’t offer noise-cancellation. What’s more surprising is that the Beats Powerbeats Pro have really turned down the bass this time around. They’re not quite at a flat EQ, but it’s like a gentle v-shape that boosts the highs and lows with a slight recess on the mids. It’s a smooth curve that music sounds reasonably energetic, but not too slanted that movies and shows are unwatchable. In fact, even movies like Thor Raganarok sounded absolutely fine with them. The good news is that the Beats Powerbeats Pro sound good both during a workout and during your time away from the gym. Yes, there’s a slight flimsiness to the sound if you take a critical ear to it—but it’s not the kind of thing you notice during your workout. hardware and software required. Works with compatible content in supported apps. Not all content available in Dolby Atmos.This is also kind of an issue if you want to wear headphones to bed, as when you lay down with them in your ear, it pushes them uncomfortably far into the ear canal.

Pro are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. Powerbeats Pro were tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge wet Powerbeats Pro; refer to https://support.apple.com/en-hk/HT209542 for cleaning and drying instructions. The charging case is not sweat or water resistant. Lastly, the Powerbeats Pros come with Siri voice assistant support, which will make phone calls, look up information and perform other tasks. It’s not something we find particularly useful during our run, but it’s certainly useful at other times. Pro are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. Powerbeats Pro were tested under controlled laboratory conditions and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge wet Powerbeats Pro; refer to https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT209542 for cleaning and drying instructions. The charging case is not sweat or water resistant. Usefully given the British weather, the American-made audio accessory has undergone a specific treatment to avoid being damaged by liquids. In practical terms, this means that the athlete's sweat does not constitute a threat to the integrity and quality of the product (eeew). Sweat drops will not damage the exterior appearance or internal circuits of the Powerbeats Pro Beats by Dre. When it comes to showering, it also becomes possible to place the earphones on the edge of the sink without having to store them before reusing them. Long Sessions That said, however, they are—in our opinion—Apple’s best workout earbuds to date thanks to small additions like the earhooks, pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and superior sound quality.

The Beats Powerbeats Pro offer a good fit and great sound when you're at the gym

Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Internet access is required. Mobile data charges may apply.

Staying in your ear and connecting to your devices seamlessly is table stakes in this category. What really matters is how good they sound when you’re moving—an area that a lot of popular earbuds don’t really master. Sharing is compatible with Beats Fit Pro, Beats Flex, Solo Pro, Powerbeats Pro, Powerbeats, Solo3 Wireless, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Studio3 Wireless, BeatsX, AirPods (1st generation or later), AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. Works with iPhone 8 or later and iPod touch (7th generation) with the latest version of iOS; and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation or later), 11-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation), and iPad mini (5th generation) with the latest version of iPadOS.Sharing is compatible with Beats Fit Pro, Beats Flex, Solo Pro, Powerbeats Pro, Powerbeats, Solo3 Wireless, Powerbeats3 Wireless, Beats Studio3 Wireless, BeatsX, AirPods (1st generation or later), AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Works with iPhone 8 or later and iPod touch (7th generation) with the latest version of iOS; and 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation or later), 11-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation) and iPad mini (5th generation) with the latest version of iPadOS. There’s little energy or agility to the Powerbeats Pros. Obsessed becomes just a measure of another four minutes of running and not the shot of adrenaline we need to pull us through the next mile. Pro are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. Powerbeats Pro were tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529. Sweat and water resistance are not permanent conditions and resistance might decrease as a result of normal wear. Do not attempt to charge wet Powerbeats Pro; refer to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209542 for cleaning and drying instructions. The charging case is not sweat or water resistant.