Review: The Beats Powerbeats Fit are mid-range buds unconvincingly disguised as high-end buds
The Beats Powerbeats Fit are a perplexing release. They’re essentially a sequel to one of the best wireless earbuds ever made, the Fit Pro, yet come with a less powerful processor and a misleading name that has people confusing them for the flagship Powerbeats Pro 2.
Outstanding active noise cancellation, sound, and wearability serve the buds well. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough upgrades to warrant the investment. Here are my full thoughts on the Powerbeats Fit.
Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds review: By the numbers
Check the specs below:
Type: In-ear wireless earbuds
Processor: Apple H1 chip
Battery life: Up to 7 hours (per charge), 30 hours with charging case
Fast charging: 5 minutes equals 1 hour of use (USB-C charging)
Ear-tip sizes: XS, S, M, L
Colors: Black, blue, cappuccino, pink, white, yellow
Noise cancellation: ANC
Spatial Audio: Yes
Water resistance: IPX4-rated
Weight: 5.78 grams (per bud), 61.3 grams (buds + case)
Everything the Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds get right
In terms of sound, the Powerbeats Fit are equal to the Powerbeats Pro 2. You’re guaranteed warm and well-balanced audio with some kick to it. Workout tracks best highlight the product’s lively soundstage.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
The monstrous bass on Clipse’s “P.O.V.” bangs heavy and is nicely controlled, resulting in high-octane reverberation that kickstarts intense workouts. I noticed the uptick in midrange on these buds compared to their upscaled sibling; vocals are crisper and more pronounced. The Fits also deliver sonic goodness on more delicate-sounding recordings. Instrumental separation on Miles Davis’ “So What” was very impressive. The smooth double bass, steady hi-hats, and vibrant horns put my body at ease during recovery.
Turning on Personalized Spatial Audio boosted bass levels. Lows had more punch to them. Dynamic headtracking brought an immersive presence to all Dolby Atmos content.
Maintaining a tight seal is key to maximizing sound. The redesigned wingtips nestle gently on the ear and form a snug, secure fit. This provides solid noise isolation for fuller output.
Speaking of which, Beats’ noise cancellation is far better on the Powerbeats Fit than the Powerbeats Pro 2. Chatter, weight machines, and the humming noises from an AC were always noticeable when using the Powerbeats Pro 2 at the gym. The Powerbeats Fit kept me focused on workouts and let me enjoy music peacefully during leisure time. They block out mid- and high-frequency sounds at a higher level. Transparency mode was clutch for raising situational awareness. Running outdoors felt safer since I could hear cars and pedestrians loudly and clearly.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable
The smaller charging case looks nice and holds more juice (up to 30 hours). A full charge gets you seven hours of use. ANC brings playtime down to six hours. Fast-Fuel charging generates one hour of listening time on a five-minute charge.
Lastly, the buds pair seamlessly with iOS/macOS and Android devices.
What the Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds get wrong
The Powerbeats Fit simply lack modernization. I’m shocked as to why they operate on Apple’s H1 processor. This limits their upgradability, meaning you won’t get the latest Apple listening modes (e.g., Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness) or many other upcoming features via software update.
Not having the Powerbeats Pro 2’s killer feature — heart rate monitoring — is another huge blow. Even worse is the absence of both multipoint pairing and wireless charging, which are two major features available on most other wireless earbuds.
Are the Beats Powerbeats Fit earbuds worth it?
Not really. The missing features and older specs make them feel like last-gen mid-range buds, which is insulting to the Fit Pro since they carried the flagship banner for nearly three years.
There are some redeeming qualities. Strong noise cancellation blends beautifully with resonant sound. Small touches to the design help optimize fit and portability. The increase in playtime is appreciated as well. In the end, quality performance is overshadowed by glaring flaws.
A price cut to the $200 tag may compel budget-conscious exercisers to purchase the buds. Until then, I strongly recommend splurging on futureproof Apple-based models that come with all the bells and whistles, such as the excellent AirPods Pro 3 or Powerbeats Pro 2. There’s also the original Fit Pro that still provide plenty of value at a more attainable MSRP ($139 at Amazon at the time of writing).
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