Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs Beats Fit Pro: Which are the iPhone's best buds?
We put Apple's two best earbuds models through their paces.
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Reviewed / John Higgins
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Even though they’ve been out since 2021, the Beats Fit Pro are still the best offering from Apple's other headphones brand. They present a ton of value for the price, partly because they mirror the Apple AirPod Pro’s excellent connectivity, generally regarded as the best earbuds for pairing with an iPhone.
Then 2022 saw the release of the Apple AirPods Pro (second generation), a long-awaited update to the original AirPods Pro. The Beats Fit Pro impressively measured up to that previous version, so much so that we suggested the Beats as a better pick for iPhone users. But how do the Beats stand up to the new AirPods Pro 2, which feature some of the best noise canceling available while keeping their seamless integration in the Apple ecosystem? Let’s find out.
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Price
With the AirPods Pro 2 occasionally on sale, both earbuds can sometimes be found for around the same price.
When the Apple AirPods Pro 2 launched in 2022 they carried the same $249 price tag that the series has had since their original inception. Now that they’ve been around for a little while, you can occasionally find them on sale for $199.
The Beats Fit Pro launched November 1, 2021 at an MSRP of $199, and every few weeks can be found for as low as $150, keeping them either even with or below the AirPods Pro 2. Since, at worst, the two earbuds cost the same and quite often the Fit Pro can be found for cheaper, this one goes to the Beats.
Our pick: Beats Fit Pro
Fit and design
The wing on the Beats Fit Pro give them a more secure fit than the stem-style AirPods Pro 2.
Whether or not you’re a fan, the AirPods Pro have an iconic look and Apple made little change with the AirPods Pro 2. The AirPods (in any incarnation) have never been the most comfortable or securely fitting earbuds, but with the second generation there’s been definite improvement to fit, especially for everyday general use. For workouts or any vigorous activity, they still feel on the verge of slipping out.
The Beats Fit Pro on the other hand use a combination of ear tips and a wing that keeps them snuggly secured in the ear. It’s a significant improvement over the AirPods in fit if you plan on using your earbuds during workouts, or just want the comfort of knowing they’re not going to fall out as you rush for the bus.
Another hate it or love it feature that continues with the AirPods 2 is pinch controls. As opposed to tapping the outward facing side of the AirPods for playback control or feature activation, the earbuds require a pinch of the stem. Technically the capacitive sensor is along the front facing side of the stem, marked by an indentation, but anytime I’ve tried to use just one finger without my thumb to stabilize, I end up jostling the earbud’s position in my ear.
In another nod to the traditional, the Beats have a button on the outside of the earbuds for all controls. It comes down to a matter of preference as to which you prefer, as both the Apple and the Beats control responsiveness is excellent and fast.
In terms of waterproofing, both earbuds have an IPX4 rating, so unless you sweat a good deal, they’ll hold up during exercise. Just don’t try and rinse them off in the sink afterward.
The AirPods Pro 2 are barely lighter than the Beats Fit Pro—coming in at 5.4 grams per earbud versus 5.6 grams for the Beats. At 45.6 grams, Apple’s case is also 9 grams lighter and, perhaps more importantly, more compact, opting for a rectangular shape instead of square.
Unless you are after the iconic look of the AirPods (or are the slightly smaller case), the Beats Fit Pro are the more comfortable and stable choice while offering the same water-resistance rating. The Beats also come in seven different colors—Black, White, Coral Pink, Volt Yellow, Tidal Blue, Stone Purple (pictured), and Sage Gray. The AirPods Pro, on the other hand, are available in white and…white.
Our pick: Beats Fit Pro
Features and controls
Both cases can fit easily in a pocket, but the AirPods Pro 2 case is a bit smaller.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 really separate themselves from the Beats Fit Pro thanks to the performance boosts of the H2 chip. The H1 chip found in the Beats Fit Pro was a great leap in Apple ecosystem integration and connectivity performance over the W1 chip. The power of the new H2 dramatically improves noise cancellation and transparency mode (sometimes called hear through). The ANC improvement is so good, in fact, that the AirPods Pro 2 are one of the best noise-canceling earbuds available, bested only by the Bose QuietComfort II.
Adaptive Transparency mode is another boon for the AirPods Pro 2, which can reactively help bring down external sounds while still getting a natural sounding sense of your surroundings. They aren’t a replacement for hearing protection, but in moments where the outside world has sudden bursts of noise (a construction site, for example) your ears won’t be bombarded with the worst of it.
That isn’t to say that the Beats Fit Pro’s ANC and Transparency mode are bad, but at a year older H1 chip, they just can’t compete.
Another plus for the AirPods is their wireless Qi-charging capability. Just place the case on a Qi-charging base, including an Apple MagSafe pad, with or without the earbuds inside and the case will charge. It’s a feature that’s unfortunately lacking from the Beats Fit Pro.
While it might seem like Apple beats the Fit Pro in every feature, there’s one that’s no contest—Android functionality. It’s not surprising that Apple puts its focus getting the AirPods to work flawlessly within the Apple ecosystem, but even if they don’t want to admit it, iPhones aren’t the only option. The Beats Fit Pro maintain full functionality when used with an Android phone thanks to the Beats app for Android (there is no official Android app for the AirPods Pro). That isn’t to say the AirPods Pro 2 won’t work with Android phones, but their features become limited. That’s not the case with the Beats.
Still, apart from the Android functionality, the AirPods Pro 2 are easily ahead of the Beats Fit Pro in their features.
Our pick: Apple AirPods Pro 2
Battery life
Battery life is a wash between the AirPods Pro 2 and the Beats Fit Pro, with both getting up to 6 hours of listening time with ANC engaged (7 hours without) and a similar amount available from their cases (30 for the AirPods and 27 for the Beats).
Our pick: Tie
Calling and sound performance
Audio performance really comes down to personal preference, as both earbuds sound great.
Both the Apple AirPods Pro 2 and the Beats Fit Pro perform well during calls, with the users voice being broadcast clearly. If anything, the AirPods are a bit better, likely thanks to the processing capabilities of the H2 chip.
Sound quality for music really comes down to personal preference. Apple has come a long way in this regard, with far better bass response and extension than in the past. In comparison to the Beats, the AirPods Pro 2 emphasize the mids more than anything else, which can accentuate vocals more but also cause them to be a bit too “in your face.”
The Beats Fit Pro take a different approach, with a bit more bass and a bit more treble for some extra sparkle to the sound. The difference isn’t drastic by any means. My ear tends to prefer the Beats over the Apple, but truly I’m more than happy to live with either.
It’s a very close call between the two, and I expect anyone would be happy with the sound and call quality of either.
Our pick: Tie
And the winner is…
You really can't go wrong with either the Apple AirPods Pro 2 or the Beats Fit Pro.
If you stack up the categories it looks as though the Beats Fit Pro is a clear winner, but at closer look there’s more to the story. When looking at ANC and Transparency mode, the AirPods Pro 2 blow the Beats out of the water, which gives them huge points for overall usability in our busy and loud world. The Beats, on the other hand, feel better in the ear and have a more secure fit.
Really it comes down to how you’ll use them. Need a secure fit? Get the Beats. Looking for excellent ANC? AirPods Pro 2 all the way. Use an Android phone (or are considering changing to one)? Hands down the Beats Fit Pro. Dying to have the stem design? AirPods it is.
At current prices, we’d lean towards the Beats Fit Pro, but if you find the AirPods Pro 2 on sale they’re a worthwhile purchase. Either way, you’re sure to be happy with your choice.
The Beats Fit Pro are a sporty, high-performance alternative to the AirPods Pro 2, offering tons of features, great sound, and a stable fit.
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Apple’s updated AirPods Pro may look the same, but features like Adaptive Transparency and next-gen noise canceling make them some of the best earbuds around.
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