Powerbeats Pro
MOVE OVER, AIRPODS – THESE ARE APPLE’S BEST TRULY WIRELESS EARBUDS.
A significant leap from 2016’s Powerbeats 3 earbuds, which were wireless but still connected to each other by a cable, the Beats Powerbeats Pro offers truly independent wire-free functionality backed by incredible sound quality and exceptional comfort. Each earbud now has its own set of controls, granting users the ability to control volume, pause or skip songs, while also allowing them to be used individually or together in stereo.
Designed primarily for use during workout sessions (but stylish enough to wear anywhere), each Powerbeats Pro earbud features a rubber hook that snugly and securely slips over your ear, making them practically unshakeable in the process (believe us, we really tried to shake these suckers free). They’re also IPX4 splash-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about sweating on them or getting caught in the rain.
When worn, the buds themselves ergonomically slide slightly upwards into your ear canals, firing sound directly into your ears with great clarity and an astounding level of bass. And, unlike most other in-ear headphones we’ve tested, the Powerbeats Pro buds don’t feel invasive – you won’t have to jam them deep into your ear holes or achieve a vacuum-like seal in order to get the right fit or desired sound quality. You’ll also find that unpleasant in-ear pressure that most other wireless earbuds cause is completely absent with the Powerbeats Pro thanks to some clever engineering on Apple’s part – each bud has a micro-laser barometric venting hole in its front chamber which is said to reduce pressure in the ear while also improving bass.
Did we mention how good the bass is on the Powerbeats Pro? Because the low-end on these buds is deep and punchy in a way that only Beats seems willing to provide. Fans of hip-hop, EDM and R&B will be in heaven, though you might also find that mids sound pretty great, too. You can thank Apple’s new H1 Chip for that improved sound quality, and that same processor also allows for seamless swapping between devices linked to the same iCloud account. Don’t worry, Android users – Powerbeats Pro works very well with non-Apple devices, instantly pairing with Google-powered phones.
When fully charged, the Powerbeats Pro offers around nine hours of usage, while the included charging case brings the total playback time to an impressive 24 hours. Conveniently, a quick five minute charge in the case will provide the buds with around an hour and a half of listening time. If there’s one area where the Powerbeats Pro compares unfavourably to Apple’s AirPods, its that its charging case is enormous – at around 7.5cm x 7.5cm x 5cm, it isn’t pocketable at all, meaning you’ll probably need to have a bag with you when you take them out of the house. We’ve also found that connectivity can get a little spotty at busy, wide-open intersections.
Minor quibbles aside, the Powerbeats Pro are the best truly wireless earbuds that Beats has produced by a good margin.
[ STEPHEN LAMBRECHTS ]