In the world of wireless earbuds, two heavyweight contenders from the Apple ecosystem have been battling it out for the title of best buds: the Beats Fit Pro and the AirPods Pro. Both bring cutting-edge features, immersive sound, and seamless connectivity to the table. But which one delivers the knockout punch in terms of overall performance, value, and style?
As a digital technology expert, I‘ve put these two pairs of earbuds through their paces to bring you the most comprehensive comparison. We‘ll dive deep into the design differences, audio quality, active noise cancellation, special features, battery life, and overall value to help you decide which belongs in your ears. Lace up your gloves and let‘s step into the ring.
Tale of the Tape: Design & Comfort
When it comes to design, the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro have distinct styles catering to different priorities and preferences. Let‘s see how they size up.
The Beats Fit Pro sport a unique wingtip design that tucks into the upper part of your ear, providing a secure and stable fit. This makes them ideal for intense workouts or activities where you‘re constantly in motion. The wingtips come in three sizes to accommodate different ear shapes.
Eschewing the over-ear hooks of the previous Powerbeats Pro, the Fit Pro achieves a more streamlined look while still promising a "fit that stays put". In our testing and according to many user reviews, the Fit Pro live up to this claim across a wide range of physical activities from jogging to HIIT workouts to dance cardio.
On the other hand (or ear), the AirPods Pro feature the iconic stem design that protrudes from the earbuds. While not as purely fitness-focused as the Beats, the AirPods Pro still offer a comfortable and customizable fit with three sizes of silicone ear tips. The ear tips create a secure seal for better noise isolation and bass response.
The AirPods Pro are incredibly lightweight at 5.4 grams per bud compared to the Beats Fit Pro at 5.6 grams each. This featherweight feel combined with the vented design for pressure equalization means you could wear the AirPods Pro all day with minimal fatigue.
Both earbuds are rated IPX4 for sweat and water resistance, meaning they can withstand the rigors of a tough gym session or a rainy walk. However, the Beats Fit Pro case lacks this water resistance while the AirPods Pro case is also IPX4-rated. If your buds might be exposed to the elements regularly, the fully weather-sealed AirPods Pro set has a durability edge.
In terms of physical controls, the earbuds take different approaches. The Beats Fit Pro have a clickable button on each bud for handling media playback, calls, and toggling ANC modes. Some may find the buttons require a bit more force compared to tap controls, but they offer reassuring tactile feedback.
The AirPods Pro use a force sensor on the stems for more delicate squeeze gestures. While the lack of moving parts increases reliability, some find the controls take a bit more practice and precision. It‘s a matter of personal preference in the buttons vs stems battle.
Sound Quality Showdown
Let‘s address the question that audiophiles and casual listeners alike are keen to know: how do the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro compare when it comes to sound quality?
Both earbuds leverage very similar audio hardware and software, unsurprising given their shared lineage under the Apple umbrella. They each pack custom Apple-designed dynamic drivers and high-excursion linear actuators for full-range, low-distortion sound.
Compared to the previous Beats Powerbeats Pro which had a heavier bass-forward sound profile, the Beats Fit Pro presents a more balanced presentation. According to Apple, this refined tuning was achieved through "advanced acoustic algorithms and a vented enclosure" to optimize pressure and airflow.
The AirPods Pro also aims for an adaptable sound signature through the Adaptive EQ feature. Using inward-facing microphones, the earbuds continuously monitor the fit and seal in your ears and adjust the low and mid frequencies accordingly. The goal is consistent audio delivery tailored to your unique ear geometry.
In practice, both earbuds deliver crisp and detailed sound across a wide range of genres. You‘ll have no trouble discerning individual instruments and vocals in busy rock and pop mixes. Podcasts and audiobooks sound clear and intelligible. Classical tracks reveal a sense of space and placement.
For those interested in the technical aspects, the Beats Fit Pro have a frequency response range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz while the AirPods Pro span 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This effectively covers the full range of human hearing and neither has a major advantage in terms of sheer sonic capabilities.
If we‘re really splitting hairs, the Beats Fit Pro have a subtle bias toward the low-end compared to the AirPods Pro. This gives them a bit more punch and presence for bassline-driven tracks from hip hop to EDM. If you prefer a more neutral sound, the AirPods Pro may be the cleaner canvas.
Both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro offer Spatial Audio powered by dynamic head tracking. This places you in a three-dimensional soundscape for immersive audio that goes beyond typical left-right stereo panning. It‘s especially impressive when viewing Dolby Atmos content on Apple TV+ or listening to Spatial Audio-mixed albums on Apple Music.
With iOS 15.1 and later, you can enable Personalized Spatial Audio on either the Beats Fit Pro or AirPods Pro. Using the TrueDepth camera on an iPhone, a 3D map of your ears is captured to further customize the Spatial Audio rendering just for you. During testing, this boosted the "out of head" illusion and made slight improvements in perceived height cues.
As for call quality, both earbuds are excellent performers thanks to multiple beamforming mics and advanced algorithms. The Beats Fit Pro use dual beam-forming microphones that focus on your voice while filtering out external noise. This is combined with a digital processor that further enhances clarity and rejects wind noise.
The AirPods Pro similarly leverage dual beamforming mics along with an inward-facing mic to capture your voice with crystal clarity. The updated H2 chip powers advanced computational audio to suppress ambient noise and enable Adaptive Transparency (more on this later).
In our test calls across a variety of environments, both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro delivered standout call quality. Recipients had no trouble hearing us clearly even on busy city streets or in windy conditions. For Voice Isolation mode, the AirPods Pro did seem to have a slight edge in quieting background chatter at a cafe.
Noise Cancellation Face-off
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is one of the marquee features for both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro. Using a combination of outward-facing mics, inward-facing mics, and advanced software, these earbuds can dramatically reduce the volume of external noise to help you focus.
The Beats Fit Pro employ the Apple H1 chip to power ANC, promising to block "external noises in real-time". In our testing, the Beats performed admirably, significantly reducing low-frequency rumbles like bus engines and airplane cabin noise. They also made a sizable dent in mid-range frequencies like background chatter and keyboard typing.
According to Beats, their ANC continuously adapts the signal 200 times per second to account for variances in fit and movement of your head. While not as instantaneous as the AirPods Pro, this does help maintain consistent noise reduction across different scenarios.
When it comes to raw noise cancellation power, the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) currently set the benchmark for wireless earbuds. Powered by the new H2 chip and advanced algorithms, Apple claims the AirPods Pro can cancel "up to 2x more noise" compared to the previous generation.
In practice, this translates to a startling ability to almost completely eliminate low-end rumble. In our testing on public transit and flights, the AirPods Pro rendered engine noise barely perceptible, creating a cocoon of quiet. Voices and other higher frequency sounds were also dampened more noticeably than with the Beats Fit Pro.
For those who want the numbers, the AirPods Pro ANC targets frequencies across a band from around 60 Hz up to 1000 Hz. In this range, it can reduce ambient noise by up to 35 decibels (dB) with variability based on frequency and how well the ear tips seal in your ears.
The Beats Fit Pro have a similar effective frequency range and can achieve noise reduction in the same 25-35 dB ballpark. However, the AirPods Pro have the edge in attenuating sounds above 1 kHz like nearby speech and sharp sounds like clanging dishes.
Both earbuds also offer a Transparency mode to let in outside sounds when you need more situational awareness. A single press on the Beats Fit Pro‘s button or a long press on the AirPods Pro stem switches from ANC to Transparency instantly.
The Beats Fit Pro‘s Transparency does a solid job piping in environmental audio, but can sound a bit thin and digitized at times. Engaging Transparency on the AirPods Pro, the effect is more natural and open, almost fooling you into thinking you‘re not wearing earbuds at all.
Where the AirPods Pro pull ahead is with the Adaptive Transparency mode introduced on the 2nd generation. This leverages the H2 chip to dynamically reduce loud environmental noise above 85 dB in Transparency mode.
In urban settings during testing, Adaptive Transparency made crossing busy intersections less jarring, toning down the harshest traffic sounds without completely obscuring them. It‘s a meaningful upgrade for those who want to balance awareness with comfort.
Features & Integration Face-off
As two earbuds deeply tied into the Apple ecosystem, the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro are packed with intelligent features to simplify your life. Let‘s untangle how they compare in terms of smarts and integration.
Right off the bat, both earbuds offer one-touch setup and automatic syncing across all your Apple devices. Open the case near your iPhone and a pop-up card appears to initiate pairing. Once connected, the earbuds automatically appear in the Bluetooth settings on your other devices signed into the same iCloud account.
This seamless integration extends to automatic device switching, one of the standout AirPods features. With it, the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro can magically switch between your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch depending on which device is actively playing audio.
Start a Spotify playlist on your iPhone and then click play on a YouTube video on your MacBook Pro – the earbuds intelligently reroute the connection without you having to manually disconnect and reconnect. It works incredibly well in practice, eliminating a major friction point of Bluetooth earbuds.
Both earbuds also support Audio Sharing, allowing two sets of wireless earbuds to simultaneously connect to one iPhone. You and a friend can enjoy the same music or movie without any audio splitter cables. The volume of each pair of earbuds can also be controlled independently, a thoughtful touch.
"Hey Siri" support means you can activate Apple‘s voice assistant hands-free with either the Beats Fit Pro or AirPods Pro. Use it to control media playback, adjust settings, reply to messages, get directions, or ask general queries. The onboard mics pick up your voice clearly and Siri‘s verbal responses sound great piped through the high-quality drivers.
Battery wise, the Beats Fit Pro have a slight edge for marathon listening sessions. They‘re rated for up to 6 hours of playback with ANC on (7 hours with Adaptive EQ) compared to the AirPods Pro‘s 5.5 hours (6 hours with Adaptive EQ). Both charging cases hold multiple additional charges, extending total battery life to around 24-30 hours depending on usage.
The Beats Fit Pro case juices up via USB-C while the AirPods Pro support USB-C, MagSafe, and Qi wireless charging for more versatile options. Worth noting though – the AirPods Pro case battery takes a hit with ANC and Transparency mode. In mixed usage, the Beats Fit Pro‘s case often outlasted the AirPods Pro case in our testing.
There are some exclusive tricks the AirPods Pro have over the Beats. Chief among them is in-ear detection powered by skin-detecting sensors. This enables the earbuds to automatically pause audio when you remove one from your ear and resume when you place it back.
The AirPods Pro also integrate with the Find My app to help you locate misplaced buds. Precision Finding shows the exact distance and direction of each AirPod Pro on a map while a built-in speaker in the case emits chirps to help in the search. These features offer welcome peace of mind for such pricey and pocketable buds.
With the launch of iOS 16, the AirPods Pro gained a few bonus features not offered on the Beats Fit Pro. Personalized Spatial Audio uses the TrueDepth camera to scan your ears for custom tailoring the sound profile. Audio Sharing can now be initiated from your iPhone instead of having to awkwardly reach for your friend‘s phone.
But perhaps the most impactful new feature for the AirPods Pro is Adaptive Transparency. When enabled, the H2 chip dynamically reduces the volume of sudden loud noises like sirens, power tools, or loudspeakers above 85 decibels to more comfortable levels. It works well and makes a meaningful difference for city dwellers.
At Apple‘s recommended retail price, the AirPods Pro‘s $249 price tag is a notable $50 premium over the Beats Fit Pro. This gets you a wireless charging case, skin-detect sensors, Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive Transparency, Precision Finding, and a few exclusive iOS integrations.
For those firmly entrenched in the Apple ecosystem who want the pinnacle of integration and innovation, the AirPods Pro make a strong case for the surcharge. But the Beats Fit Pro deliver much of the core experience with better battery life and a workout-friendly design at a more palatable price.
Which belongs in your ears will depend on your unique needs, desires, and budget. Athletes and fitness fanatics who demand a rock-solid fit and tactile controls will love the Beats Fit Pro. Travelers and office warriors who prioritize compactness and cutting-edge ANC tech will find favor with the AirPods Pro.
Both serve as stellar standard bearers for the state of the art in wireless earbuds. You‘ll enjoy excellent sound, effective noise cancellation, reliable connectivity, and clever features with either pair. The AirPods Pro justify their higher cost with meaningful audio advancements and iOS synergy. But the Beats Fit Pro are the value champ with impressive performance and a sportier bent.
