The Beats Fit Pro and Apple AirPods Pro both stand out as two of the most capable wireless headphones available in 2021 — but there's a clear winner as to which one most people should buy. Buying a pair of wireless earbuds can be quite a challenge these days. There are seemingly endless models available, countless features to check for, and options for virtually every budget. Having so much choice is amazing, but it can also make the buying process pretty complicated.
For anyone who's earbud shopping right now, two of the best choices are the Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro. The Fit Pro are one of the newest players in the space, having just launched in November 2021. By comparison, AirPods Pro are well-established as one of the best premium earbud offerings on the market. Both earbuds have proven to be among the best out there. They look great, have ample features, and integrate seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. But which pair is ultimately worth buying?
From a design standpoint, Beats and Apple each have strong showings. Both earbuds have comfortable in-ear seals with customizable ear tips, though Beats goes a step above with its built-in wingtips. They're flexible, comfortable, and create a more secure fit that's perfect when at the gym or on a run. Apple gets the edge, however, with its force sensor playback controls. Just press and hold the stem of AirPods to change songs, enable ANC, and more. The Fit Pro offer similar controls with physical buttons on each earbud. They work well, but the act of pressing a button on something in your ear may not be comfortable for everyone. Beats and Apple are evenly matched on the water-resistance equation, with both the Fit Pro and AirPods Pro touting an IPX4 rating.
Beats Fit Pro Vs. AirPods Pro Features & Price
From an audio perspective, the Beats Fit Pro do an incredible job of matching the AirPods' functionality in every regard. No matter which buds you buy, you get all of the following: Active noise cancellation, transparency mode, Adaptive EQ, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. What's even more impressive is that the performance of these modes is very similar across both earbuds. AirPods Pro may be known as the best performer in these areas, but the Fit Pro are basically identical. The same is true of the earbuds' smart features. The Beats Fit Pro and AirPods Pro are both equipped with Apple's H1 chip. This enables multiple features when the earbuds are used with an Apple device — such as hands-free 'Hey Siri' commands, Find My tracking, automatic pairing/switching with Apple gadgets, and audio sharing. Where AirPods Pro lose almost all of their smart features outside of the Apple umbrella, though, the Fit Pro work with the Beats companion app on Android to deliver a very similar experience across iOS and Android devices.
Last but not least, there's the battery and charging situation. In regards to battery life, the Beats Fit Pro tout up to 6 hours of listening time (with ANC enabled) and an additional 18 hours with the charging case — creating a total package of 24 hours of endurance. AirPods Pro feature the same 24 hours of total battery life, though they only last for 4.5 hours of continuous playback. Where Beats drops the ball, however, is with charging. The Fit Pro's USB-C port is excellent, but not having any wireless charging support is a legit bummer. By comparison, AirPods Pro charge via Lightning, Qi wireless charging, and MagSafe wireless charging.
That brings us to the price. You can buy Beats Fit Pro right now for $199, while AirPods Pro retail for $249. Unless someone absolutely needs wireless charging, the Beats Fit Pro are easily the better purchase. They have all of the same audio and smart features, a more comfortable design, longer battery life, and cost $50 less. AirPods Pro are solid earbuds, but the Beats Fit Pro simply outmatch them.
Source: Beats