Beats Fit Pro and the Apple AirPods Pro are high-end wireless earbuds with comparable features, prices, and specifications. Though pretty recognizable for different reasons, they come from Apple and its subsidiaries.
The Beats Fit Pro is undoubtedly favored among workout enthusiasts because of its design. The distinctive wingtip shape keeps them secure when inside your ears. But the AirPods Pro is likely to remain the more recognizable because of that iconic white stem design.
Some things between the two earbuds overlap. Plus, there are some significant variations to know before buying. In this article, we’ll discuss Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro and how their respective features compare.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | Beats Fit Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249 | $199 |
| Wireless charging case | Yes | No |
| Chip | H2 | H1 |
| Battery life (rated) | 5.5 hours (depending on use) | 6 hours (depending on use) |
| Water resistance | IPX4 (buds and charging case) | IPX4 (buds only) |
| Special features | Active Noise Cancelation Adaptive transparency mode Adaptive Equalizer, spatial audio, Automatic switching, Voice-activated assistance, MagSafe Charging case And plenty of other Apple features | Active Noise Cancelation Adaptive transparency mode Adaptive Equalizer, spatial audio, Automatic switching, Voice-activated assistance, MagSafe Charging case And plenty of other Apple features |
- Apple-designed H2 chip
- Low-distortion, custom-built driver
- Up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than the previous AirPods Pro
- Personalized spatial audio
- Up to 6 hours of battery life or 30 hours with the charging case
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro: Key Differences
Both devices offer rich feature sets that improve the audio quality compared to typical “off-the-shelf” earbuds. Features like active noise cancellation (ANC), Personalized Spatial Audio, and many others are integrated into iOS. Let’s delve into the major differences between both devices.
Design
Apple’s products are instantly recognizable when it comes to design and aesthetics. The company has established its aesthetic design DNA that’s recognizable even if you miss the Apple logo.
Beats, though Apple’s product, doesn’t follow Apple’s design guidelines. The Fit Pro is somewhere in the middle. It doesn’t resemble a typical Apple design, yet something behind their aesthetics screams: “3 trillion company!” We can’t exactly pinpoint what, but it’s most likely tied to specific color schemes we’re accustomed to seeing from Apple.
They’re silicone-tipped earbuds with flexible wings that tuck into your upper ear, securing them in place. This makes them exceptional for physical activity, as their name suggests. The aforementioned color schemes come in various matte colors, like sage grey, stone purple, black, and white.
Their case matches the color scheme but omits any wireless charging whatsoever. Still, there’s a USB-C charging port—something we rarely see on an Apple device. In comparison, AirPod Pro is wirelessly charged.
Like Fit Pro, Apple’s recognizable set is also silicone-tipped for improved fit and comfort. The tips come in various sizes, ensuring you have the correct ear tip. This means that they can also handle some sweat as a result of vigorous exercise.
Unfortunately, AirPods also include touch controls, which isn’t the best choice for fitness. But they’re perfect if you like easy and intuitive controls. The earbuds come in a matching glossy case that supports wireless or wired charging via a Lightning port.
Controls
Controls on both devices are beautifully implemented, and each has a full suite of music and call control commands. These can be actuated either manually or by voice activation via Siri. The latter performs better on AirPods Pro, considering that they’re Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds designed with Siri integrations in mind.
Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro have Wear Detection implementations that work exceptionally well. Removing either set of buds will initiate auto-pause that will stop the music automatically. But physical controls are where all the differences lie.
AirBuds Pro’s controls are undoubtedly better, thanks to the touch sensors implemented inside the buds. This is probably the best input ever seen on earbuds on the current market. You can control the music or calls by touch or touch-and-hold functions. However, volume controls are the fascinating part. You can increase or decrease the volume by using slide gestures.
The control scheme for AirPods Pro is customizable on iOS alone since the companion app is primarily designed to work with iPhones. Beats Fit Pro has a clear advantage in the customization segment because the device is designed to offer a wider compatibility range. This includes PC and Android devices and Google Assistant, and Bixby.
On the compatibility side, the customization options aren’t as extensive as on AirPods Pro. Plus, the control buttons are physical, and you need manual actuation to control them. They’re not poorly executed, by no means, but their use leads to soreness, as controlling the bud pushes it further into the ear.
Sound Quality
Regardless of which buds you choose, the audio quality on these is pretty much the same. Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro offer a beautifully balanced sound across the range. The bass is deep, the mid-tones are solid, and the highs are incredibly crisp and detailed. The vocals, admittedly, aren’t that rich in tone, but the overall sound quality of both models can compensate.
You can further tweak the audio on both devices using Apple’s EQ, and different presets within the iOS. Both models also feature Personalized Spatial Audio, which enhances the 3D effects of Dolby-supported audio content. Headphone Accommodations are the only true difference in the sound quality, as the latter balances out the range and brightness of the tones.
The calling and audio quality on both devices are marginally different. It’s unlikely for an Average Joe to notice the difference in sound quality between them.
Active Noise Cancelation
Despite Apple’s update to the original design, the Fit Pro has received plenty of praise for offering the same ANC performance as AirPods Pro. The technology is still up to standard, reducing up to 85% of outside noise, particularly in the low and mid-frequency range.
When exercising indoors or outdoors, Beats’ Transparency Mode is equally as effective at raising environmental awareness. Alternatives to ambient listening exist, such as Live Listen, which records sounds using the iPhone’s microphones.
Apple claims that 2nd generation AirPod Pro earbuds reduce twice as much noise as Gen 1. Unfortunately, lab testing and real-life applications are different things, and AirPods Pro falls short compared to niche-oriented alternatives. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t perform a fantastic job of cutting down on unnecessary noise.
These earbuds dampen low- and mid-frequency noises like their predecessor. Additionally, they dampen wind and high-pitched sounds better than the Fit Pro. Ultimately, the AirPods Pro 2 win this round because of the new Adaptive Transparency mode, which keeps users aware of their surroundings while still cutting down on loud outside noise.
Features and Integrations
Both devices feature ANC, adaptive EQ, Siri integrations, Wear detection, control customization, Ear Tip Fit Test, EQ, Live listening, Personalized Spatial Audio, and Transparency mode.
That said, AirPods Pro has some exclusive features that are omitted from Beats Fit Pro. This includes the new H2 chip, which boasts faster high-range Bluetooth connectivity with Apple’s devices. There’s also a MagSafe charging case that lets out noise in case you misplaced the case.
The Beats Fit Pro features an older H1 CPU that still performs admirably. Especially since it can easily pair with Microsoft and Android devices, something Apple AirPods Pro can’t. This would probably be Beat Fit Pro’s main selling point for Android customers.
- Available in 9 different colors including navy, black, white and sage gray
- Up to 6 hours of battery life on a single charge or up to 24 hours with case
- Enhanced by Apple H1 chip for super smooth syncing to Apple iPhone
- IPX4 rated for sweat and water resistance
Battery life
How long the battery lasts is probably the most important aspect when shopping for wireless earbuds. Beat Fit Pro is the clear winner in this department, considering it can easily pull out 6 hours of playback with ANC engaged.
Apple’s earbuds average out at approx. 4.5 hours. However, they take less time to charge fully, and in 24 hours, your AirPods Pro is good to go again.
Price
When exploring Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro, some things are worth considering. AirPods Pros are already three—nearly four—years on the market, and they’re currently priced at approx. $150 on Amazon.
Beats Fit Pro is considerably younger and more affordable, which is reflected in its price tag. You can currently find them for as low as $135, and some retailers even offer a discount. So, after everything’s said, we’ll call this one a tie.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro: 5 Must-Know Facts
- Beats Electronics, previously known as Beats by Dre, was founded by the music producer Dr. Dre.
- Apple bought Beats in 2014, buying the majority of shares from HTC.
- The company didn’t make earbuds before Apple acquired it.
- AirPods are Apple’s most popular accessory item.
- AirPods can pair with non-Apple products, but their functionality would be severely limited.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro: Which Are Better
The AirPods Pro is better due to better ANC, smarter controls, and seamless iOS integrations. On the other hand, Beats Fit Pro offers really good value for money—for a fraction of the price, you would get almost the same performance as AirPods Pro.
Ultimately, the choice of headphones is highly subjective. If you’re physically active, perhaps Fit Pro is a better fit. On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the latest and greatest tech, nothing beats the AirPods Pro H2 chip.
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The image featured at the top of this post is ©Fadhli Adnan/Shutterstock.com.
