When it comes to premium wireless earbuds, Apple’s latest AirPods 4 and the Powerbeats Pro 2 stand out as top contenders. Both offer high-quality audio, seamless connectivity, and impressive features, but they cater to different types of users. The AirPods 4 focus on sleek design, everyday convenience, and enhanced smart features, while the Powerbeats Pro 2 prioritize secure fit, durability, and workout-ready performance. In this comparison, we’ll break down their key differences to help you decide which pair best suits your needs.
| Feature | AirPods 4 | PowerBeats Pro 2 |
| Design | Compact, stem design | Ear hook for secure fit |
| Water And Dust Resistance | IP54 | IPX4 |
| Battery Life | 30 hours (with case) | 45 hours (with case) |
| Sound Quality | Balanced, clear audio | Bass-heavy, workout-focused |
| Price | $129 (base) / $179 (ANC) | $250 |
Apple AirPods 4 Overview
There are two versions of the new Apple AirPods 4, the base version costs $129, and the Active Noise Cancellation version costs $179. Both versions of the AirPods 4 sound great. They sound good for podcasts, movies, and songs, and the microphones are good. They have the Apple H2 chip which handles all the processing, and you get ANC, Transparency Mode, and Spatial Audio.
PowerBeats Pro 2 Overview
Beats always release good earbuds with interesting features, and the new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds are the same. The original PowerBeats Pro earbuds were released five years ago, and they were very popular and cost $250. The new PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds still cost $250 in 2025, and they have new features like ANC, heart rate monitoring, and transparency mode, all with a new Apple H2 chip.
AirPods 4 Vs PowerBeats Pro 2: Build Quality And Design
The shape of the new AirPods 4 has changed, the driver points into your ear more directly and there are some new curves and angles. The stem is a little bit shorter, but the look is still similar to previous generations. The new shape will fit better in your ear, and both versions come with in-ear detection. Both versions are also upgraded to an IP54 dust and water resistance rating, the last AirPods were rated IPX4.
The case of the new AirPods 4 now has USB-C, but that is where the similarities end. The ANC AirPods have a little speaker on the bottom of their case, this speaker gives you an alert when you charge the case, and it chimes when you use Find My. The ANC case also has wireless charging, but it doesn’t have MagSafe.
Previous AirPods cases had a little button on the back for manually pairing with phones, and Apple didn’t add this button to the AirPods 4 cases. Now, there is a hidden capacitive touch area right underneath the pairing and charging light, and you have to double-tap this area for pairing mode. A triple tap will factory reset the AirPods.
The PowerBeats Pro 2 have a different design than traditional earbuds like the AirPods 4 or the OnePlus Nord Buds, they have an ear hook that helps the earbuds fit better on your ears. This ear hook is made from rubber like the ear tips, and it is very comfortable to put on, you will forget you put it on after a while. The ear tips have different sizes for a better fit, and these earbuds are 20% lighter than the original PowerBeats Pro. There are new drivers which are aligned to point directly to your ears. There is a venting channel through the buds to improve bass.
With this design, the PowerBeats Pro 2 are the best premium workout earbuds, as they have a very low chance of falling off during workouts or running. They have a dust and water resistance rating of IPX4, which means that you don’t have to worry about getting sweat on them during workouts. The PowerBeats Pro 2 come in four different colors, Jet Black, Electric Orange, Hyper Purple, and Quick Sand. Each earbud also has a voice accelerometer and three microphones identical to the ones used in the AirPods Pro 2.
The AirPods 4 have a sleeker, more refined design, ideal for casual use. The PowerBeats Pro 2 are bulkier but offer a more secure fit for workouts.
AirPods 4 Vs PowerBeats Pro 2: Features
With the Apple H2 chip, both versions of the AirPods 4 have ultra-low latency support for the Apple Vision Pro. The H2 chip handles all the processing, and you can also nod or shake your head to answer Siri questions. So if Siri announces an incoming call, you can just nod your head to accept the call.
You get Active Noise Cancelation, Transparency Mode, and Spatial Audio. The AirPods 4 only support AAC, and they have the quick pair feature that all the AirPods had. They can also instantly switch between different Apple Devices like your iPhone, your Mac, and your iPad, you only need to have the same iCloud account on them.
The PowerBeats Pro 2 instantly pair with any Apple device, and if you have multiple devices the earbuds can switch between them if your iCloud ID is the same in these devices. You can use Siri with the PowerBeats Pro 2, and you can also see them on Find My. You can also turn on Spatial Audio, which Apple does very well.
The main feature that caught my eye was heart-rate tracking, as this is something we haven’t seen in earbuds before. There is a little sensor right below the ear tips, and this will measure and update your heartbeat every five seconds. You can even pair the PowerBeats Pro 2 with gym machines, so if you have a treadmill or a StairMaster, you can send the heartbeat from your earbuds directly to the machine.
You can get the Beats app on Android and configure one-touch pairing, enable the heartbeat sensor, customize controls, and locate your earbuds. The earbuds have Class 1 wireless Bluetooth, which means more power and more range. There is a voice isolation mode that reduces background noise and amplifies your voice during calls and meetings.
AirPods 4 Vs PowerBeats Pro 2: Battery Life
You get 30 hours of listening time with the case, for both versions of the AirPods 4. You can get up to 5 hours of listening time with ANC off and 4 hours with ANC on a single charge. The AirPods 4 can be charged via USB-C.
The case of the PowerBeats Pro 2 can be charged via USB-C, and it can also be charged wirelessly. The battery life of the buds is amazing, you can get up to 45 hours of listening on a single charge, and up to 10 hours of continuous playback. A 5-minute charge will give you 1.5 hours of playback, and the case can fully charge the buds 3 times.
In this category, the PowerBeats Pro 2 win with 45 hours of battery life, while the AirPods 4 offer 30 hours.
AirPods 4 Vs PowerBeats Pro 2: Sound Quality And Active Noise Cancellation
Both versions of the AirPods 4 sound great. They are a big step up from the AirPods 3, which were already very good. The bass is deep, and the instruments are clear and detailed. The base version is the best choice for those who don’t want Active Noise Cancellation.
The ANC version also gets transparency mode, while the normal version does not. The transparency mode is very good as some outside noise is already getting in, so when you turn on transparency mode the outside noise gets boosted. The ANC version also has Adaptive Audio, which blends Transparency Mode and ANC and changes the noise control as your environment changes.
Up till now, only the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max had Active Noise Cancellation. So, I compared the ANC of the AirPods 4 with the ANC of the AirPods Pro 2. The ANC does work and does a good job of lowering background noise and white noise, but you will still hear some outside noise. The main reason for this is the hard tips, as they will leave some air gaps and you will hear some white noise.
The PowerBeats Pro 2 earbuds were designed to be used while doing workouts, and most people listen to hip-hop, pop, or rap, which have a lot of bass. The bass of these earbuds is much better than the previous generation, and the sound also feels more natural and clear. These earbuds are also good for everyday listening, whether it’s movies, podcasts, or songs, the earbuds give a good listening experience.
The PowerBeats Pro 2 have excellent noise cancellation. The H2 chip samples outside audio at 200 samples per second, and does a good job of eliminating white noise. If you aren’t playing or listening to anything, some human voices may come through, but once you turn on some music, all outside noise fades away. The transparency mode was pretty good, it was very close to the AirPods 4. I could hear less white noise and more human voices, which is all you need from transparency mode.
Both offer great sound, but the AirPods 4 are better for balanced listening, while the PowerBeats Pro 2 provide a bass-heavy experience. The AirPods 4 ANC version has slightly better noise cancellation.
AirPods 4 Vs PowerBeats Pro 2: Verdict
Both the AirPods 4 and PowerBeats Pro 2 cater to different audiences, making the choice between them dependent on your lifestyle and priorities. If you are looking for lightweight, everyday earbuds with seamless Apple integration, excellent call quality, and ANC capabilities, the AirPods 4 (ANC version) are the better option. On the other hand, if you need secure-fitting earbuds with superior battery life, powerful bass, and fitness-focused features like heart rate monitoring, the PowerBeats Pro 2 are the clear winner. Ultimately, both deliver great sound and features, but the PowerBeats Pro 2 are ideal for workouts and extended use, while the AirPods 4 excel in convenience and everyday functionality.
FAQs
1. Which earbuds have better noise cancellation?
The AirPods 4 ANC version offers strong noise cancellation, but the PowerBeats Pro 2 also do an excellent job, especially with their snug fit. If ANC is a top priority, the AirPods 4 are slightly better.
2. Which is better for working out?
The PowerBeats Pro 2 are the better choice for workouts. They have an ear hook design for a secure fit, IPX4 water resistance, and even heart rate monitoring.
3. Do both earbuds support Spatial Audio?
Yes, both the AirPods 4 and PowerBeats Pro 2 support Spatial Audio, providing an immersive listening experience.
4. Which has better battery life?
The PowerBeats Pro 2 have significantly better battery life, offering up to 45 hours with the case, compared to the AirPods 4’s 30 hours.
5. Can the PowerBeats Pro 2 be used with Android?
Yes, the PowerBeats Pro 2 work with Android via the Beats app, allowing features like one-touch pairing and heart rate tracking.