In late 2021, Beats unveiled a new set of premium wireless earbuds designed from the ground up for fitness enthusiasts – the Beats Fit Pro. With a unique wingtip design for a secure in-ear fit and an IPX water resistance rating, they seemed positioned to challenge Apple‘s renowned AirPods Pro as the high-end earbuds tailored to active lifestyles.
But how exactly do the two flagship earbud models stack up? As an Apple subsidiary, how much does the Beats Fit Pro borrow from the tried-and-true AirPods Pro formula? And which pair of headphones is the better choice for exercise, everyday carry, and overall performance?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare every facet of the Beats Fit Pro versus AirPods Pro to help you decide which advanced wireless earbuds suit your needs and budget.
Beats and Apple: A Brief History
First, some background. The Beats brand was founded in 2006 by legendary music producer Dr. Dre and Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine to sell premium headphones and audio equipment endorsed by musicians and athletes.
The company skyrocketed in popularity through flashy marketing and bass-heavy audio tuning preferred by fans of hip hop, rock, and pop genres. By acquiring Beats Electronics in 2014 for $3 billion, Apple absorbed this youthful brand cachet into their portfolio of audio products.
Since the buyout, Beats headphones and earbuds have adopted Apple technology like the proprietary H1 and W1 chips to enable key features equivalent to AirPods. But Beats products still stand apart aesthetically from the minimalist white Apple aesthetic and target music listeners more than technophiles.
The Beats Fit Pro is the first earbuds model building directly upon the pioneering active noise canceling and spatial audio chops of the iconic AirPods Pro. Let‘s see how they compare.
Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro: Key Specs and Features
| Specification | Beats Fit Pro | AirPods Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $199 | $249 |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hrs (ANC on) Up to 24 hrs (with case) | Up to 4.5 hrs (ANC on) Up to 24 hrs (with case) |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 (earbuds only) | IPX4 (earbuds + case) |
| Chip | Apple H1 | Apple H2 |
| Noise Cancellation | Active Noise Cancelling Transparency mode | Active Noise Cancelling Adaptive Transparency mode |
| Audio Features | Adaptive EQ Spatial Audio | Adaptive EQ Spatial Audio |
| Onboard Controls | Physical buttons | Capacitive touch sensors |
| Charging | USB-C wired (No wireless charging) | Lightning port Qi wireless charging |
| Supported Platforms | iOS/Android/Windows | iOS/macOS |
| Colors | Sage Grey, Stone Purple, White, Black | White |
| Included Accessories | 3 eartip sizes + 2 wings | 3 eartip sizes |
Design and Fit Comparison
While both models share an “in-ear” design with silicone eartips for passive noise isolation and comfort, the Beats Fit Pro differentiates itself with a wingtip attachment to lock firmly inside your ears.
Users praise the angled, tapered nozzle on the Fit Pro along with flexible Secure-Fit wingtips that discreetly tuck into your outer ear for incredible stability during workouts. Small, medium and large eartips further bolster the custom fit.
By comparison, AirPods Pro rely entirely on finding the right eartip seal to stay put inside your ears. Those with very active lifestyles may need to frequently re-adjust AirPods Pro whereas the Beats Fit Pro “float” securely for hours of exercise, running, cycling, and more.
For controls, the Fit Pro uses tactile buttons on each earbud stem which some may prefer over the touch-sensitive force sensors on AirPods Pro. Both work reliably for music playback, transparency mode, and call management.
The charging cases also diverge quite a bit in layout and functionality. The AirPods Pro wireless charging case supports Qi charging pads and MagSafe while looking very similar to the cases bundled with every AirPod model.
Meanwhile, the Beats Fit Pro case uses USB-C charging instead of Lightning or wireless. It has a totally unique, oval flip-top form resembling a cosmetics compact more than an Apple accessory.
So when it comes to wearing and charging, the Beats Fit Pro solution offers greater versatility for active users whereas AirPods Pro maintains Apple’s ubiquitous charging case design.
Audio Quality and Noise Cancellation
Sonically, both premium earbuds deliver vibrant, well-balanced sound with customizable EQ settings via iOS/Android apps. The Beats sound profile emphasizes brighter treble and more powerful bass than AirPods Pro, appealing to pop music genres.
Adaptability reigns supreme here – AirPods Pro tend to suit acoustic, classical, vocal-centric tracks better with their fairly neutral EQ. You can‘t go wrong with either for most musical tastes, especially after tweaking to your preferences.
For noise cancellation technology, these wireless earbuds again go toe-to-toe:
Active noise cancellation dampens external noise reliably in both models by generating inverse sound waves. This allows you to focus on music, calls, and media without distraction.
Transparency mode uses external microphones to amplify speech and ambient sound for safety and awareness when outdoors. The AirPods Pro steps this up with Adaptive Transparency that reduces loud abrupt noises like sirens or construction tools.
Many critics find both advanced earbuds equivalent in regards to noise cancellation quality for daily use. For reducing wind rush and other disruptive noises during exercise specifically, Beats Fit Pro gets the edge.
As phone call headsets, both prove capable as well with beamforming microphones that focus on speech. Automatic ear detection and switching between audio sources works seamlessly thanks to the custom Apple chips inside.
Intelligence and Platform Support
The H1 chip inside the Beats Fit Pro earbuds handles key functions like device switching, always-on Siri access, audio sharing between iOS units and pairing. This silicon dates back to 2019, around when AirPods Pro first launched.
Newer AirPods Pro released in late 2022 instead use Apple’s up-to-date H2 chip promising:
- Faster connection speeds with Apple devices via Bluetooth 5.3
- 2x better active noise cancellation than original AirPods Pro
- Improved battery efficiency
Both earbuds support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking for an immersive, theater-like listening experience on supported videos and music. This requires an iOS device and works best with Apple TV+ video streaming.
While the Beats Fit Pro can pair with non-Apple devices like Windows laptops or Android phones, you lose firmware updates and access to certain functions like “Hey Siri” without iOS. Keep that in mind regarding platform flexibility.
Ultimately Apple gives its own flagship buds the latest silicon plus tighter software integration with iPhones, iPads, and Macs. But the Beats Fit Pro experience still impresses for the price.
Battery and Charging Comparison
In terms of battery life, the Beats Fit Pro delivers about 1.5 extra hours of listening time per charge with default settings:
- Beats Fit Pro play time: 6 hours
- AirPods Pro play time: 4.5 hours
Factor in more frequent charges needed for AirPods Pro and you might notice the difference during long-haul travel or daily commuting without charging cases handy. Both models otherwise offer 24+ hours of total play time when popping them back in the charging case periodically.
As covered earlier, the way you recharge each set of earbuds also differs quite a bit:
| Model | Charging Method |
|---|---|
| Beats Fit Pro | USB-C cable only |
| AirPods Pro | Lightning cable OR Qi wireless charging |
So AirPods Pro offer more flexibility for charging on the go wirelessly. But the Beats case needs about an hour less to fully top off using a USB-C PD charger.
If you often forget to plug in headphones overnight, the AirPods Pro case provides insurance via wireless charging pads built into many nightstands and other furniture nowadays. It comes down to personal charging habits.
Both cases deliver ample additional play time after the earbuds themselves deplete to help you get through any long trip or session without going silent.
Pricing and Value Analysis
Given very close feature sets premium build quality, how do prices compare between the Beats and Apple heavyweights?
- AirPods Pro: $249 MSRP – often discounted to ~$200
- Beats Fit Pro: $199 MSRP – often discounted to ~$180
Clearly, the Beats Fit Pro delivers similar performance and sound for 20-25% less money, thanks to being two years newer than the AirPods Pro.
For iPhone owners invested in Apple’s audio and streaming ecosystem, AirPods Prounlock the latest features and seamless connectivity. Android users instead save money for equivalent quality picking Beats.
Both make reasonable holiday gifts, birthday presents or personal upgrades over basic wireless earbuds. Keep an eye out for sales around peak shopping seasons to score either model for under $175.
The Verdict: Which Model Should You Buy?
So when considering Beats Fit Pro versus AirPods Pro, which advanced wireless earbuds come out on top? Here’s a quick recap:
For design and fit, the Beats Fit Pro stands out as the more stable choice for sports and exercise without bud rotation or looseness. AirPods Pro still work well thanks to customizable eartips but may need more frequent adjustment.
Regarding controls and charging, AirPods Pro takes the win for wireless charging flexibility while some prefer Beats’ tactile buttons over touch sensors. Both give a premium, versatile experience.
For sound quality and noise cancellation, it’s practically a toss-up between these Apple/Beats models. Both support immersive spatial audio and satisfy audiophiles across music genres. Call quality and acoustic isolation also match up.
On smart features and platform support, iOS devotees get the most bang for their buck from Apple‘s proprietary H2 chip optimizations inside AirPods Pro. But the Beats Fit Pro experience hardly leaves Android/Windows users lacking either.
And for battery life and pricing, Beats Fit Pro is unanimously the value pick – $50+ cheaper than AirPods Pro with an additional 1-2 hours play time per charge.
In summary:
- AirPods Pro are ideal buys for: Apple-centric users on iOS who want the latest features and wireless charging flexibility.
- Beats Fit Pro are better picks for: cost-conscious music lovers and athletes seeking a rugged workout companion at a lower price.
Either pick among these advanced earbuds provides excellent functionality guaranteed to please. Your preferences for fit, controls, charging, and budget ultimately determine the right model for your needs.
Both the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro represent innovative leaps ahead of standard Bluetooth earbuds. Hopefully breaking down their differences here helps you make sense of two great options for sound on the go.
Further Reading: More Favorite Wireless Earbuds Picks
Besides the Apple and Beats flagships, plenty more excellent wireless earbuds exist catering to both iPhone and Android users.
Here are two more top-rated models if the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro didn’t fully match your needs:
Sony WF-1000XM4 – Premium noise-cancelling earbuds often considered category leaders thanks to the rich, hi-fi audio fidelity from Sony’s renowned audio engineering teams. 30 hours total battery life. $278 MSRP.
1More ComfoBuds Pro – Award-winning combination of sound quality, ANC performance and comfort at an affordable sub $100 price point. 6 hours continuous playback per charge. $99 MSRP.
Combine best-in-class noise cancellation and wireless connectivity with amazing musical immersion in either model. Well worth checking out!
FAQs: Beats Fit Pro vs AirPods Pro Comparison
Which earbuds have better sound quality, Beats or AirPods Pro?
When it comes to audio fidelity, reviewers rate both models very highly. AirPods Pro offers a more neutral sound profile that favors acoustic or vocal-heavy music. For lively pop, EDM, hip hop, and rock tracks, the Beats tuning with amplified bass and brighter detail stands out. But you can customize the sound on either set of earbuds to match your taste.
Do Beats Fit Pro fall out of ears easily during workouts?
Far from it! The unique wingtip design on Beats Fit Pro locks them securely into ears for vigorous training and running without falling out or needing adjustment like typical earbuds might. Just pick the right sized eartips and wings for comfort. AirPods Pro can stay put too but rely on just eartip tightness for stability.
Can you take calls and use voice assistants with the Beats Fit Pro?
Yes indeed. One-touch controls built into both earbuds of the Beats Fit Pro conveniently enable call answering/ending, music playback controls, volume adjustment and voice assistant activation via “Hey Siri” just like AirPods Pro. Microphones in both earbuds make speech transmission loud and clear too.
Are AirPods and Beats worth premium pricing over cheaper wireless earbuds?
While Apple and Beats models demand premium pricing, you get extensive features that cheaper brands exclude like wireless charging, customizable EQ presets, spatial audio support, and active noise cancellation. Consider it an investment in both audio quality improvements and smart integrations with your devices. If paying under $100 is more sensible for you, plenty of decent budget wireless earbuds with satisfying sound exist too from companies like Soundcore and Earfun. It depends on your budget!
The Bottom Line
In head-to-head competition for premium wireless dominance between Apple-owned brands, the Beats Fit Pro put on an impressive fight versus the renowned Apple AirPods Pro. While the newer Beats model trails just slightly for iOS integrations and smart features due to an older silicon chip inside, it remarkably meets or exceeds AirPods Pro performance in other areas like battery life, fit stability, and pricing.
Ultimately both earbud flagships suit music lovers, commuters, fitness enthusiasts and general audiences very well across core criteria. Choose Beats Fit Pro earbuds if rugged durability for exercise is necessary in your routine or high-end features matter less than saving $50+ off typical Apple pricing. AirPods Pro instead give iPhone owners the ultimate matched Apple accessory experience with some small advantages thanks to up-to-date proprietary hardware and software optimizations.
After reading this comprehensive feature and spec breakdown, do you have any other questions about how these stellar wireless earbuds compare or which option might fit your lifestyle best? Let us know in the comments below!
