Powerbeats Pro 2 Heart Rate Tracking Fails in Fitness Tests [Video]

Apple's new Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds, equipped with built-in optical heart rate sensors, are reportedly failing to deliver the seamless fitness tracking experience promised. Recent fitness reviews highlight connectivity issues, inaccurate heart rate readings, and an inability to play music while paired with gym equipment.

YouTuber DC Rainmaker recently posted an in-depth review detailing these shortcomings. He discovered that users must choose between listening to audio or monitoring their heart rate when connected to gym equipment—a significant limitation for a product marketed as a workout companion. Apple confirmed this restriction in a statement, saying, "You cannot listen to music with your iPhone while also paired with the gym equipment for heart rate." Competing products can handle both functions seamlessly, leaving Powerbeats Pro 2 users at a disadvantage.

The heart rate monitoring feature, a key selling point of the earbuds, has also faced criticism. Rainmaker conducted tests during indoor cycling and outdoor running that revealed troubling inconsistencies. During high-intensity intervals, the optical sensors frequently dropped out, either registering no data at all or delivering wildly inaccurate readings. In one outdoor run, inaccuracies plagued 80% of the session, with dropouts occurring even after adjustments and firmware updates. Compared to reliable alternatives like the Polar H10 chest strap and Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Powerbeats Pro 2's performance was dismal, with Rainmaker calling it "terribly useless" as a heart rate sensor.


Strangely, connectivity issues within Apple's own ecosystem were also prevalent. Rainmaker found that pairing the earbuds with iOS apps like Strava, Peloton, and Wahoo Fitness consistently failed to transmit heart rate data, despite smooth audio playback. Troubleshooting across multiple devices, including a Mac and various iPhones, gave the same result. Curiously, switching to an Android phone resolved the issue instantly, with apps detecting the heart rate signal without problem. Other reviewers, including Dezfit and Shervin Shares, reported similar struggles, with some abandoning iOS entirely for testing.

The Powerbeats Pro 2's design includes dual optical sensors, one on each earbud, and require both to be worn for measurements. A double-tap activates the feature, signaled by a beep and green lights. While the setup is straightforward, Rainmaker's experience suggests that Apple's emphasis on precision, typically a strength in products like the Apple Watch, doesn't translate here. The earbuds' tendency to default to null readings rather than risk incorrect data might reflect caution, but it renders them unreliable for serious fitness tracking.

For audio, the Powerbeats Pro 2 perform well, pairing easily with both iOS and Android devices and offering a customizable fit with multiple ear tip sizes. The Beats app on Android provides additional settings control, though it remains optional.

Apple's marketing touts gym equipment integration as a highlight, yet the requirement to dedicate the earbuds' single connection to either music or heart rate monitoring feels like a misstep, especially at a price point where competitors offer both without compromise. For fitness enthusiasts banking on accurate heart rate data and seamless integration, this release appears to fall short, but perhaps Apple will introduce improvements in future firmware updates. For those who view heart rate tracking as a bonus, Powerbeats Pro 2 are still a good option with solid sound, a comfy fit, and ear hooks that keep them secure during intense workouts.


Full details of DC Rainmaker's testing, including data comparisons, are available in the video below.