Unless you're looking for an open-back design, purchasing high-quality workout headphones has become more difficult in the last few years. Companies don't pay as much attention to them or exit the market entirely, as Jabra did at the end of 2024. Luckily, some of the best headphones for working out are… Powerbeats Pro 2 — not only still exist, but were updated at the beginning of the year. And until the end of Cyber ​​Monday they are on sale at: Amazon, WalmartAnd Best buy for $199.95 ($50 off), which is almost their all-time low.
Original Powerbeats Pro were invaluable to me when I was training for a half marathon before the pandemic. The main reason is the design of the ear hook, which wraps around the back of the ear, holding them securely in place. It didn't matter if I was running outside, walking on trails, or doing sprint interval training; I never once worried about them falling out. The Pro 2 improves on this design with more flexible and durable ear hooks that provide a perfect fit and can withstand any rough handling. Those who wear glasses may find the hooks awkward, but I found that once I figured out how to position them correctly, it wasn't a problem.
Powerbeats Pro 2 also has heart rate monitoring. New AirPods Pro 3 from Apple. For those who don't have an Apple Watch or want to use a chest strap, this is a good alternative, especially since I found it to be relatively accurate in testing. The heart rate sensors can integrate with Apple Fitness (added at launch) as well as several third-party apps, and they work with both Apple and Android products. Beats brand advantage over Apple.
Music sound quality on the Powerbeats Pro 2 is good, with just the right amount of punchy bass that we all crave during workouts. Active Noise Cancellation is also great in noisy environments and works well for calls, while Noise Cancellation eliminates wind noise.
While the included carrying case is significantly smaller than the previous version, it's still larger than what you get with most modern headphones given the space required for the earhooks. However, this time around it also supports wireless charging, which was sorely missing from the original Powerbeats Pro.
If you've been in the market for new workout headphones, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are a terrific choice, and at Cyber ​​Monday prices, they're a great choice.
Photo by Amelia Golovata Krales/The Verge
