TWO of the top earbuds in the game are Beats and Apple, and I’ve tested both.
To find out which you should buy, I’ve put the Beats Fit Pro vs Apple AirPods Pro 2 through the wringer, so you know which to spend your hard-earned money on.
Beats Fit Pro, £219.99 £179.17 at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro, £229 £189 at Amazon
If you’re in the market for a new pair of earbuds, chances are and Beats have popped up on your radar.
Both brands are heavyweights in the audio world, each with its own loyal following and distinct appeal.
As someone who’s tested the Beats Fit Pro on the look the , and been a loyal AirPods Pro 2 user for years, I’ve got a solid sense of how these two stack up.
For users, Beats is a winner, with quick pairing and customisation via the Beats app, they deliver a smooth experience that rivals Apple’s seamless integration with its own devices.
Beats stands out as the more inclusive option, bridging the gap between ecosystems while still packing Apple smarts.
So, whether you’re team Apple or eyeing Beats, I’ll break down how they perform in everyday life below.
Jump to:
- How I tested
- Design
- Performance
- Features and compatibility
- Where to buy
- Verdict
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: How I tested
Beats Fit Pro, £219.99 £179.17 at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro, £229 £189 at Amazon
As a long-time AirPods Pro 2 user, these earbuds are practically an extension of my daily life.
That said, as a tech eCommerce writer, I’ve had the chance to test plenty of big-name brands, and the Beats Fit Pro have been part of my rotation for quite some time now.
With the AirPods Pro 2 being second nature to me, I decided to spend the last couple of weeks diving back into the Beats Fit Pro to refresh my perspective on how they stack up.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Design
Despite Apple owning Beats since 2014, the two brands still look worlds apart.
The Beats Fit Pro offers bold colour options and a sporty wingtip design, which keeps them secure and makes them great for workouts, even if the look isn’t for everyone.
The AirPods Pro 2, on the other hand, stick to Apple’s sleek, minimalist aesthetic.
The extended arms house reliable physical buttons, which I find more practical than the sometimes finicky touch controls on the Beats.
Both are functional in their own ways, but for everyday use, the AirPods Pro 2 edge ahead with their simplicity and reliability.
The newest AirPods hold true to this simple and reliable ethos, with our Tech Editor, Sean Keach, noting in his that they’re “neat and lightweight, so you hardly notice them in.”;
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Performance
Both sound great, just in slightly different ways.
The Beats Fit Pro have a punchy, bass-heavy sound that’s great for powering through workouts, especially in noisy gyms.
Their spatial audio is just as impressive as Apple’s, making everything feel that much more immersive.
The AirPods Pro 2 are more polished overall, with clear, balanced sound. Spatial audio and noise cancellation feel a bit more refined, too.
Battery life is solid: both give you around 6 hours on a charge, with the Beats Fit Pro case offering 24 hours total and the AirPods Pro 2 stretching to 30.
The AirPods case is also wireless and MagSafe-compatible, which is a nice bonus.
If you're after true workout-focused options with great sound and fit, my is worth a look, especially for those who prefer open-ear designs.
Beats Fit Pro, £219.99 £179.17 at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro, £229 £189 at Amazon
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Features and compatibility
Both are powered by Apple’s H1 chip (in the Beats) or the newer H2 chip (in the AirPods), so you’ll get seamless integration with your iPhone either way.
That said, the AirPods Pro 2 go a step further with features like Adaptive Transparency and personalised spatial audio, which I love for podcasts; it honestly feels like you’re in the room with the hosts.
The Beats Fit Pro still hold its own, though. They’ve got noise cancelling and support for spatial audio too, plus they play nicely with Android devices thanks to a dedicated Beats app.
That’s something the AirPods Pro 2 don’t offer, so you’ll miss out on a lot of key features if you pair those with anything non-Apple.
In terms of compatibility and smarts, the AirPods Pro 2 are slightly more advanced for Apple users, but the Beats are arguably more versatile overall.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Where to buy
You can pick up both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro 2 from a range of major retailers, including , , , and, of course, the official Apple website.
If you’re looking to save some money, there are ways to snag a better deal, like refurbished models offering the same great quality at a lower price.
Alternatively, keeping an eye out for big sale events like , , or even seasonal sales can help you pick them up for less.
Beats Fit Pro, £219.99 £179.17 at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro, £229 £189 at Amazon
If you like to pound the pavement in your earbuds, check out my selection of the, to set you up with a pair that will go the distance.
And for open-ear alternatives that work for both fitness and everyday listening, check out our for another great pair of buds.
