The latest iteration of Beats' popular fitness earbuds has received its first significant discount since launching in February. The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which typically retail for USD $249.95, are now available for USD $199.95 across multiple retailers, making these premium workout earbuds more accessible to fitness enthusiasts looking for quality audio during their exercise routines.
Retailer Availability:
- Amazon: USD $199.95
- Walmart: USD $199.95
- B&H Photo: USD $199.95
A Long-Awaited Upgrade
The Powerbeats Pro 2 represent a substantial update to Beats' workout earbud lineup, arriving five years after the original model debuted. The new version maintains the signature ear hook design that made the originals popular among athletes, but with notable refinements. The hooks are now smaller and constructed from nickel titanium alloy, providing improved flexibility and durability while maintaining a secure fit during intense workouts. This redesign addresses one of the few complaints about the previous generation while preserving the stability that active users depend on.
Enhanced Features for Modern Users
Unlike their predecessors, the Powerbeats Pro 2 come equipped with active noise cancellation (ANC) and a transparency mode, allowing users to either immerse themselves in their music or stay aware of their surroundings as needed. This addition brings them in line with other premium earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2, making them more versatile for both gym sessions and everyday use. The earbuds also feature the same H2 chip found in Apple's flagship earbuds, enabling convenient features like automatic pausing when removed from the ear.
Fitness-Focused Design
The Powerbeats Pro 2 are clearly designed with exercise in mind. They maintain an IPX4 water resistance rating, protecting them from sweat and light rain. Rather than implementing touch controls that can be finicky during workouts, Beats opted for physical buttons that are easier to operate with sweaty fingers. The earbuds also come with four different sizes of ear tips to ensure users can find a comfortable, secure fit that creates a proper seal for optimal sound quality and noise cancellation.
Sound Quality and Battery Life
True to the Beats brand, the Powerbeats Pro 2 deliver powerful, bass-forward sound that particularly enhances genres like hip-hop and electronic music. While they don't offer full EQ customization through their companion app, the default sound signature provides energetic audio that many find motivating during workouts. Battery life is impressive, offering up to 10 hours with ANC turned off and approximately 8 hours with it enabled—roughly double what the AirPods Pro 2 provide on a single charge.
Heart Rate Monitoring: A Mixed Feature
One of the most advertised new features of the Powerbeats Pro 2 is the built-in heart rate monitoring sensors. However, reviews suggest this may be the earbuds' weakest aspect. More problematically for Apple users, the earbuds cannot simultaneously play music and broadcast heart rate data to gym equipment when paired with iOS devices, making this feature more beneficial for Android users. This limitation significantly reduces the practical utility of what could have been a standout feature.
Improved Charging Case
The charging case for the Powerbeats Pro 2 has received a welcome redesign, now smaller than the notoriously large case of the previous generation. It also adds wireless charging capability, a feature that was absent in the original model. While still larger than cases for some competing earbuds like the AirPods Pro 2, the improvements make the Powerbeats Pro 2 more portable and convenient for everyday carry.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Key Specifications:
- Original Price: USD $249.95
- Current Sale Price: USD $199.95
- Water Resistance: IPX4 rating
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours (ANC off), ~8 hours (ANC on)
- Features: Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, heart rate monitoring
- Connectivity: H2 chip with automatic device switching
- Charging Case: Wireless charging capable, smaller than previous generation
- Controls: Physical buttons instead of touch controls
- Ear Tips: Four size options included
Value Proposition
At their discounted price of USD $199.95, available at Amazon, Walmart, and B&H Photo, the Powerbeats Pro 2 present a compelling option for fitness enthusiasts seeking premium workout earbuds. The USD $50 discount brings them below the price point of direct competitors like the AirPods Pro 2, potentially making them a more attractive choice for users who prioritize secure fit and extended battery life over the most refined noise cancellation experience. This first major price drop since their February release suggests now might be an optimal time for interested buyers to make their purchase.