Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro 2: Which Apple Earbuds Actually Deserve Your Money?

Based on hands-on testing, RTINGS measurements, and real user experiences from Reddit, Apple Community forums, and Best Buy reviews

The short answer: The AirPods Pro 2 wins for everyday listeners who prioritize sound quality and noise cancellation. But if you're buying earbuds for the gym, running, or any workout, the Beats Fit Pro is the better choice thanks to its secure wingtip design that won't slip out mid-rep. Both are Apple-owned, both have excellent features, but they're built for different people. Get the AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $199 →

The Fighters

	AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
Price	$199-249 on Amazon	$159-199 on Amazon
Best For	Commuters, everyday listening, Apple ecosystem	Gym, running, workouts, Android users
Driver Size	11mm custom driver	9.5mm custom driver
Chip	H2 (newer, better ANC)	H1
Battery Life	6 hours (ANC on)	7 hours (ANC on)
Water Resistance	IPX4 (buds + case)	IPX4 (buds only)
Colors	White only	5 options

AirPods Pro 2 in their charging case with the lid open, showing the white earbuds with silicone tips

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Sound Quality

The AirPods Pro 2 pack an 11mm driver compared to the Beats' 9.5mm, and you can hear the difference. SoundGuys describes the AirPods Pro 2 as having "a lovely, balanced frequency response with a little sparkle in the treble." The detail resolution is noticeably better—you can actually distinguish individual instruments in a busy mix.

The Beats Fit Pro take a different approach with a bass-heavy, V-shaped sound signature. Tom's Guide notes the midrange is "scooped out" to make the bass more prominent. Great for pumping up workout playlists, but audiophiles will notice the muddy bass and lack of separation. That said, Pete Matheson found the difference "isn't drastic" in side-by-side testing.

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
8/10	7/10

Round 1 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Larger driver delivers cleaner, more balanced audio

Score after Round 1: AirPods Pro 2: 8 | Beats Fit Pro: 7

Round 2: Noise Cancellation

This isn't close. The AirPods Pro 2's H2 chip delivers what Apple claims is "nearly twice" the noise cancellation of the H1 chip in the Beats. Hearing Review measured 27 dB average noise reduction and up to 35 dB at 250 Hz—that's serious isolation.

Tom's Guide put it bluntly: "With the earbuds on and loud music in the background, the AirPods Pro 2 cut the sound to a whisper. With the Beats Fit Pro, the background sound was audible, both with and without a track playing." The AirPods also have Adaptive Audio mode, which the Beats completely lack.

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
9/10	7/10

Round 2 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — H2 chip dominates with significantly better noise isolation

Score after Round 2: AirPods Pro 2: 17 | Beats Fit Pro: 14

Round 3: Fit & Workout Performance

Here's where Beats earns its name. The flexible silicone wingtips on the Fit Pro "lock into your ear" according to Rolling Stone, calling them "AirPods for working out." Users on MacRumors forums consistently report "for exercise nothing beats BFP."

The AirPods Pro 2 improved their fit from the original, but Tom's Guide notes they "still feel on the verge of slipping out" during vigorous activity. One reviewer said they "wouldn't last a minute without slipping out" on the treadmill. Macworld declared the Beats "stay in ears in a far more superior way."

Beats Fit Pro earbuds in black showing the distinctive wingtip design that keeps them secure during workouts

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
6/10	9/10

Round 3 Winner: Beats Fit Pro — Wingtip design is unbeatable for physical activity

Score after Round 3: AirPods Pro 2: 23 | Beats Fit Pro: 23

Round 4: Features & Ecosystem

AirPods Pro 2 have features the Beats simply can't match. The FDA-approved hearing aid functionality is revolutionary for those with mild hearing loss. Adaptive Transparency mode intelligently adjusts to your environment. Find My with Precision Finding uses the U1 chip to locate lost earbuds down to the foot. Conversation Awareness automatically lowers your music when someone speaks to you.

The Beats Fit Pro counter with full Android support via the Beats app—something AirPods Pro 2 completely lack. SoundGuys warns Android users: "you will have no software option for the Apple AirPods Pro 2." The Beats also offer five color options versus Apple's single white.

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
9/10	7/10

Round 4 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Hearing aid, Adaptive Audio, and Find My precision are game-changers

Score after Round 4: AirPods Pro 2: 32 | Beats Fit Pro: 30

Round 5: Battery Life & Charging

The Beats Fit Pro claim 7 hours with ANC enabled, and SoundGuys confirmed 6 hours 22 minutes in real-world testing. AirPods Pro 2 claim 6 hours and deliver about 5 hours 43 minutes—roughly 40 minutes less per charge.

But the total package favors Apple: the AirPods Pro 2 case holds 30 hours total and supports MagSafe wireless charging plus Apple Watch charger compatibility. The Beats case only holds 24 hours total and has no wireless charging at all—a significant miss in 2026. Best Buy reviewers also note the Beats case is "surprisingly large" and "much cheaper feeling."

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
8/10	7/10

Round 5 Winner: AirPods Pro 2 — Wireless charging and better case quality edge out longer earbud battery

Score after Round 5: AirPods Pro 2: 40 | Beats Fit Pro: 37

Round 6: Value for Money

At $199 MSRP versus $249, the Beats Fit Pro is $50 cheaper out of the box. Both frequently go on sale—AppleInsider reports both hitting $159 during January 2026 sales. But the Beats spends more time at that lower price point.

For Android users, this isn't even a question—the Beats Fit Pro is the only choice with full feature support. For fitness enthusiasts, the superior fit means you won't be constantly adjusting or worrying about losing a $100+ earbud on the gym floor. The AirPods Pro 2's premium features justify the higher price for the right user, but more people will be happy with the Beats' value proposition.

AirPods Pro 2	Beats Fit Pro
7/10	8/10

Round 6 Winner: Beats Fit Pro — Lower price, better fit for active users, and Android compatibility

Person running outdoors with wireless earbuds, demonstrating active lifestyle use case

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
AirPods Pro 2	47/60	WINNER
Beats Fit Pro	45/60

The Winner: AirPods Pro 2

The AirPods Pro 2 take this Death Match with superior sound quality, class-leading noise cancellation, and genuinely useful features like hearing aid functionality and Adaptive Audio. The H2 chip's ANC performance alone—blocking nearly twice the noise of the Beats—makes a noticeable difference on trains, planes, and in noisy offices.

That said, this is one of our closest matches. The 47-45 score reflects that these earbuds excel in different areas. For pure audio quality and noise cancellation in everyday situations, the AirPods Pro 2 are the clear choice. But if you're reading this while planning your gym bag, the Beats might actually be the winner for you.

Ready to buy the winner? Get AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon for $199 →

When the Loser Actually Wins

The Beats Fit Pro isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You work out regularly — The wingtip design stays locked in during running, lifting, HIIT, and any vigorous activity. AirPods will slip.
You use Android — Full app support, easy pairing, all features work. AirPods Pro 2 on Android is a diminished experience.
Budget matters — $50 cheaper MSRP and more frequent sales at the $159 price point.
You want color options — Black, white, gray, purple, volt, and reflective black versus white-only AirPods.
You prefer bass-heavy sound — The V-shaped sound signature pumps workout playlists better than balanced audio.

Beats Fit Pro might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Close-up of wireless earbuds on a desk next to a smartphone and coffee cup, representing daily use scenario

Can I use AirPods Pro 2 for working out?

Yes, but they may slip during intense activity. Both have IPX4 sweat resistance, but the Beats' wingtip design provides significantly more security. Tom's Guide and multiple user reviews confirm AirPods tend to "feel on the verge of slipping out" during vigorous exercise.

Do Beats Fit Pro work with iPhone?

Absolutely. Both are Apple products and integrate seamlessly with iOS. The Beats Fit Pro use the same H1 chip technology for instant pairing, Hey Siri, and automatic device switching—they just lack the newer H2 chip features like superior ANC.

Which has better call quality?

AirPods Pro 2 win on microphone quality. In a SoundGuys blind test, 74% of listeners preferred the AirPods Pro 2 microphone versus 26% for Beats Fit Pro. However, both struggle with wind noise during outdoor calls.

Are there newer versions coming?

Apple is rumored to be working on Beats Fit Pro 2 for late 2025/early 2026 with an expected price of $199-249. AirPods Pro 3 were released September 2025 at $249 with improved specs including heart rate sensors. This comparison covers the current widely-available models.