I’ve destroyed more pairs of workout earbuds than I care to admit (long story). So when Beats promised that the Powerbeats Fit were designed to stay put, sound great, and survive anything short of a monsoon, I had to put that claim to the test.
I’ve been using these earbuds for a few weeks now; in the gym, out on runs, and during the glamorous world of editing videos in coffee shops. And honestly, they’ve held up a lot better than I expected. But like any product with the word “Beats” on it, they’re not without their quirks.
Let’s get to it.
The Real-World Test Begins
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I like testing gear where it actually gets used (i.e., not in a soundproof studio).
And for the Powerbeats Fit, that meant a mix of:
- Gym workouts
- Outdoor runs
- Everyday life
My goal was simple: to find out whether these are just “AirPods in gym clothes” or genuinely purpose-built fitness earbuds.
First Impressions: Design & Fit
Out of the box, the Powerbeats Fit looked exactly like you’d expect from Beats: bold, compact, and sporty.
The signature wingtip design instantly sets them apart from AirPods or the usual bullet-shaped earbuds, and more importantly, those wings work. They twist into your ears and lock in place, giving you that satisfying “these aren’t going anywhere” feeling before a workout.
I tested them through push-ups, sprints, pull-ups, and even a few questionable yoga attempts, and not once did they slip. Beats has clearly nailed the “secure but comfortable” sweet spot here. They sit snugly without jamming into your ear canal, and after a few sessions, I genuinely forgot I was wearing them (which, for workout gear, is the ultimate compliment).
They’re also IPX4 water and sweat-resistant, which basically means they’ll survive anything short of a swim. The matte finish handles sweat surprisingly well; no gross residue, no fingerprints, and no feeling like you’re about to short-circuit mid-set.
Comfort-wise, they easily rival AirPods Pro, and unlike some older Beats models, they don’t feel heavy or cause that ear fatigue after an hour. I used them for a full gym session and my post-work editing stint, and they still felt fine.
The one downside? If you’ve got smaller ears, the wings might take a bit of adjusting. They’re flexible, but not customisable. Still, once you find your fit, they stay locked in better than most “fitness” earbuds I’ve tried.
Sound Quality: Beats Still Bring the Bass
Beats has a reputation of being loud, punchy, and bass-heavy. And the Powerbeats Fit absolutely stick to that DNA.
The low end thumps with real energy, enough to keep you moving without crossing into distortion territory. That’s a big improvement over older Beats models, which often traded subtlety for sheer volume. The mids and highs have more balance now, meaning vocals and instruments actually stand out rather than being drowned in bass.
Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) is solid, though not quite at AirPods Pro levels. It does a great job blocking out the gym soundtrack (that one guy who insists on dropping weights for attention), and the Transparency mode is handy when running outside or listening for gym announcements. It’s not the most advanced noise control in the world, but for workouts, it’s plenty.
Sound isolation is also excellent thanks to the snug seal of the ear tips. Even without ANC, you’ll barely hear what’s happening around you.
Connectivity & Ease of Use
One of the biggest perks of anything with a Beats logo is that it’s still, at its core, an Apple product. This means pairing and daily use are basically effortless. The Powerbeats Fit come with Apple’s H1 chip, so the moment you open the case near your iPhone, they appear on-screen faster than you can say “gym selfie.”
For iPhone users, it’s a familiar, seamless experience: instant pairing, automatic device switching, and hands-free “Hey Siri” built in. You can take calls, skip tracks, or check battery life without even touching your phone.
Android users, though, don’t get left out. Beats has its own Android app, which gives you firmware updates, battery indicators, and custom control options. Pairing is quick via Bluetooth, and once connected, the link stays solid. During testing, I didn’t have a single dropout, even running with my phone bouncing around in a pocket or bag.
Each earbud has physical buttons for volume and playback, which, to me, is a win. Touch controls can be finicky mid-workout, but buttons? They just work. You can also wear a single earbud for calls or podcasts.
Battery Life & Charging
Here’s where the Powerbeats Fit really outperform a lot of their rivals. Beats claims 6 hours of playback on a single charge, with an extra 18 hours in the case.
Based on my experience, I got around 5.5 to 6 hours with a mix of music, calls, and ANC switched on. That’s basically two or three solid workouts, a commute, and a few meetings before you have to even think about charging them.
Pop them back in the case and you’re good for a few more days of gym sessions. And if you ever forget to charge them (which, let’s be honest, we all do), the Fast Fuel feature is a lifesaver.
The charging case supports Lightning and wireless charging, depending on which version you’ve got. I mainly used wireless, and it topped up overnight with zero hassle. The case itself is compact enough to slip into your gym bag or pocket, with a nice soft-touch finish that doesn’t turn into a fingerprint magnet.
Durability & Sweat Resistance
If you’ve ever killed a pair of earbuds through sheer sweat and bad decisions, you’ll be happy to hear the Powerbeats Fit are built to survive actual workouts, not just photoshoots of workouts. They’re rated IPX4 for water and sweat resistance, which basically means they’ll shrug off rain, splashes, and full-on cardio sessions without issue.
Cleaning them is also easy; a quick wipe and you’re done. No tiny crevices for sweat to collect, no weird gunk traps near the speaker mesh. Beats clearly designed these with actual gym use in mind, not just desk testing.
Are they indestructible? No, don’t dunk them in your protein shake. But compared to most earbuds that claim to be “sports-ready,” the Powerbeats Fit are genuinely built to take a beating.
Powerbeats Fit Review: Are the Powerbeats Fit Worth It?
The Powerbeats Fit might not reinvent the earbud, but they finally deliver what most fitness earbuds promise: a comfortable, reliable, genuinely sweatproof pair that can keep up.
They’re not perfect (the ANC isn’t as refined as the AirPods Pro and the price still leans slightly on the premium side), but they don’t pretend to be anything they’re not. These are earbuds built for movement, and they actually deliver on that promise.
So, are they worth it?
If you want comfort, reliability, and that signature Beats energy without constant readjustments mid-run, absolutely. But if you just want something for the occasional walk to the fridge, maybe stick with your AirPods.
