Beats put out a surprisingly good pair of earbuds with the Beats Fit Pro, blessing them with great sound and Android compatibility. On the other hand, the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation are the top earbuds recommended for Apple users. With their recent update with USB-C, they have also become better compatible with Android smartphones, though imperfect. If you are in the market for new earbuds, which should you prefer? We pit the Beats Fit Pro vs the AirPods Pro 2nd Gen to determine which earbuds make more sense.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): At a glance
- The Beats Fit Pro has a finned earbud design that will stay in the ears better, while the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) have a stemmed design that isn’t the best for heavy workouts.
- The Beats Fit Pro has an official Android and iOS app, while the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) are only supported on iOS, though they partially work on Android without an app.
- The Beats Fit Pro is cheaper than the AirPods Pro (2nd gen).
- Both earbuds are IPX4 rated for sweat resistance, but the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) case is also IPX4 rated, while the case of the Beats Fit Pro is not rated.
- The AirPods Pro (2nd gen) has better sound quality, noise cancelation, and transparency mode than the Beats Fit Pro.
- The AirPods Pro (2nd gen) case supports precise location thanks to UWB, has a speaker, and has wireless charging. The Beats Fit Pro’s case does not support precise location, nor does it have a speaker or wireless charging.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Specs
Beats Fit Pro | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) | |
---|---|---|
Dimensions and weight |
Beats Fit Pro
Bud: 0.75 x 1.18 x 0.94″, 5.6g
Case: 1.12 x 2.44 x 2.44″. 55.1g |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Bud: 1.22 x 0.94 x 0.86″, 5.3g
Case: 1.78 x 2.39 x 0.85″, 50.8g |
Wireless connectivity |
Beats Fit Pro
Bluetooth 5.0
NFC Apple H1 chip (for Automatic Switching, Audio Sharing, Siri) Apple Find My support |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Bluetooth 5.3
Apple H2 chip (for Automatic Switching, Audio Sharing, Siri) Apple Find My support with precise location with U1 UWB chip |
Water resistance |
Beats Fit Pro
IPX4 sweat/water resistance on earbuds, but not on case |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
IPX4 sweat/water resistance on earbuds and case |
Battery life and charging |
Beats Fit Pro
Case: 18 hours
Buds: 6 hours (ANC on) USB-C charging |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Case: 24 hours
Buds: 6 hours (ANC on) USB-C charging |
Device compatibility |
Beats Fit Pro
iOS/iPadOS, macOS, Android, Windows |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
iOS/iPadOS, macOS
Limited compatibility: Android, Windows |
Spatial audio |
Beats Fit Pro
Apple Spatial Audio |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
Apple Spatial Audio |
Noise cancelling |
Beats Fit Pro
ANC and Transparency modes |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
ANC and Transparency modes |
Ear tips |
Beats Fit Pro
3 sizes |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
4 sizes |
Release date |
Beats Fit Pro
November 1, 2021 |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
September 22, 2023 |
Price |
Beats Fit Pro
$200 |
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
$249 |
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Design and features
Lily Katz / Android Authority
The Beats Fit Pro (pictured above) has a finned earbud design with wingtips. The wingtips are not only cosmetic, but they are functional too. They help secure the earbuds in your ears, making them less prone to falling off even during heavy workouts.
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 has a stemmed design with a bulbous head. There are no wingtips here. While they often sit snug inside the ears, they can fall off if you have a lot of head movement. To Apple’s credit, it now ships the AirPods Pro 2nd gen with a new XS size ear tip, alongside S, M, and L sizes.
Lily Katz / Android Authority
When it comes to the case, there are some differences. The case of the Beats Fit Pro is not large by any means, but it is bigger than the Apple AirPods Pro 2’s case.
Further, the AirPods Pro 2’s case is a lot more feature-packed. It has an integrated hole for attaching a lanyard. It has a speaker within itself to play sound if you lose the case, and it also features the U1 chip for UWB-based precise location through the Apple Find My service.
Lily Katz / Android Authority
On the other hand, the Beats Fit Pro has a simpler case that misses out on all of the above functions.
For IP rating, the Beats Fit Pro is IPX4 rated for sweat resistance on the earbuds. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 is IPX4-rated for the earbuds and the case.
The Beats Fit Pro is the better earbud for Android users because it officially supports the platform. There is feature parity on iOS and Android when using these earbuds.
Austin Kwok / Android Authority
In contrast, the AirPods Pro 2nd gen works best with iOS. You can use them on Android as standard Bluetooth earbuds, but you lose out on many features, so you should explore other Android earbuds instead.
The AirPods Pro 2nd gen takes the cake with audio quality, active noise cancelation (ANC), and transparency. The Beats Fit Pro is also pretty good, but the AirPods Pro is noticeably better on these three qualities.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Battery life and charging
Lily Katz / Android Authority
The Beats Fit Pro loses out to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) regarding battery life and charging.
You can get about 6 hours of music playback on either earbud with ANC on. The case of the Beats Fit Pro adds another 18 hours, while that of the AirPods Pro 2nd gen adds a higher 24 hours. You’d get more cumulative battery life on the AirPods Pro, making them better for longer travels, though the battery life on the Beats Fit Pro is also fairly respectable.
Apple promises one hour of listening time if you pop your AirPods Pro (2nd gen) back into the case for just five minutes, and the same is promised with the Beats Fit Pro.
Lily Katz / Android Authority
The Beats Fit Pro’s case can be charged through the USB-C port, but not wirelessly. The Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen’s case can be charged with either USB-C, MagSafe, Qi wireless charging, or even an Apple Watch charger. Apple recently updated the AirPods Pro 2nd gen with USB-C, but the older version uses a Lightning port if you prefer that.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Price and availability
- AirPods Pro (2nd gen): $249
The Beats Fit Pro has a list price of $200, but you can find deals that bring the price down to $150-$180. You can buy them in seven colors: Coral Pink, Volt Yellow, Tidal Blue, Beats Black, Beats White, Stone Purple, and Sage Gray. You can also get them in Moon, Dune, and Earth colors as part of the Kim Kardashian special edition.
Beats Fit Pro
Good fit and stabilizing ear wings • Android and iOS compatible • In-app ear tip fit test • ANC and transparency
Beats Fit Pro are true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds that work just as well with Android devices
The Apple-owned Beats Fit Pro are just as easy to use with an Android device as they are with an iPhone, fitting well with multiple ear tips, and boosted bass sound quality. The only downsides are the price tag and ANC issues.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) has a list price of $249. During special sale days, you can find them discounted to around $200. They are available in only one color: White.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improve upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and feature the same iconic look. Apple’s upgraded H2 chip begets better noise canceling and battery life, while the case’s U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are an obvious choice.
The lower pricing of the Beats Fit Pro makes it a better value for most users. However, the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen has many features that help justify the higher price tag to users who want premium earbuds.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Which should you buy?
Lily Katz / Android Authority
The Beats Fit Pro is the better choice if you are an Android user or looking for a good pair of earbuds that work reliably across platforms with no fuss. It does most of what the Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen can do and at a lower price tag. The wingtips are great for keeping the earbuds within your ears at all times, and those working out frequently will appreciate the excellent fit.
However, Android users also have other earbud choices, like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, the OnePlus Buds Pro 2, and more. So, make an informed decision when purchasing the Beats Fit Pro.
Lily Katz / Android Authority
If you are an iPhone user, choose the AirPods Pro (2nd gen) over the Beats Fit Pro. The AirPods Pro integrates very tightly into Apple’s ecosystem and does things a little better overall. The price difference is worth the better experience for iPhone users.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): Which earbuds do you prefer?
0 votes
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro (2nd gen): FAQ
Both earbuds have an IPX4 rating, which translates to sweat and water resistance, but they’re not truly waterproof. The case of the AirPods Pro 2nd gen is also IPX4 rated.
The Beats Fit Pro does not have wireless charging. The AirPods Pro 2nd gen supports wireless charging through MagSafe and Qi wireless charging protocols. You can also charge it wirelessly through the Apple Watch magnetic puck charger.
The AirPods Pro works with Android, but only as basic Bluetooth earphones. You lose out on many advanced features as they are iOS-only. Android-centric earbuds would better serve you.
Yes. The AirPods Pro has active noise cancelation, which is really good.