Fitness Headphones · owner-verdict comparison

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: 64% of 148 owners recommend it, vs 38% of 48 for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

38%of 48 owners recommend

38% recommend · 10% neutral · 52% don't

Owners praise

Secure earhook fit that stays put during workouts and running
Good sound once you get a proper ear-tip seal
Comfortable for both exercise and all-day wear

Owners complain about

Sound quality disappointing, tinny or harsh to many
Weak ANC that barely cancels outside noise
Ear pain or fatigue and tips that won't stay seated

Full owner report →

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds

64%of 148 owners recommend

64% recommend · 13% neutral · 23% don't

Owners praise

Open design keeps you aware of your surroundings
Exceptionally comfortable, barely-there all-day wear
Surprisingly good sound for an open-ear bud

Owners complain about

Weak or no bass due to the open, sealless fit
Poor call and mic quality
Expensive for what you get

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 if

✓Intense-workout users lifting, running and training hard
✓People who fear losing earbuds during exercise
✓Apple users wanting secure over-ear hooks
✓Those needing an all-day-battery fitness earbud

Skip it if

Buyers who want strong noise cancellation
Glasses wearers, where arms disrupt the seal

Get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds if

✓Runners and cyclists needing to hear their surroundings
✓People who can't tolerate anything inside the ear canal
✓All-day wearers wanting near-weightless clip-on comfort
✓Users with small ears where in-ear buds fall out

Skip it if

Bass lovers or anyone wanting noise cancellation
People who rely on them for phone calls

What Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 owners say

“By far the best headphones on the market for when you are being active and don’t want them to fall out.”
— @ddg9584 on YouTube

“they still work, left one has less than an hour for battery life, but honestly, I can't complain”
— @JoseLopez-gf2js on YouTube

“The Beats went back to the store after a week”
— @JavisBoomTech on YouTube

What Bose Ultra Open Earbuds owners say

“For me they were worth every penny.”
— @MingRose on YouTube

“Im actually liking the design. A lot of earbuds always fall out when i run or just aren't comfortable”
— @smittyvanjagermanjenson182 on YouTube

“the fact they arent good for calls is killing me”
— @jamesshepherd1860 on YouTube

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: frequently asked questions

Is the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 or the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds better?

Real owners lean toward the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: 64% of 148 owners recommend it, vs 38% of 48 for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

Who should get the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?

Owners point the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 at intense-workout users lifting, running and training hard, and people who fear losing earbuds during exercise.

Who should get the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds?

Owners point the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds at runners and cyclists needing to hear their surroundings, and people who can't tolerate anything inside the ear canal.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is sound quality disappointing, tinny or harsh to many. For the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, it's weak or no bass due to the open, sealless fit.