This week, Currys writer Ronan O’Sullivan spent some time getting to grips with the Beats Fit Pro – just so he could tell you all about it. Read on to delve into his review, and discover if the Beats Fit Pro is the earbud for you.
Beats Fit Pro: A closer look at the features
Immediately, the Beats Fit Pro’s funky wing tips make them instantly standout in a crowded market. But that wasn’t the only unique feature I found…
Comfort
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds do what they say on the tin – they fit like a pro. What’s more, they come equipped with multiple ear tips in different sizes for added security and comfort. Plus, thanks to the handy ear Fit Test, it was easy to work out which size was best for me.
I found the Beats Fit Pro very comfortable to wear at home, and out and about. At least for short periods of time. And unlike Apple AirPods, the fit is much more secure. Meaning they didn’t accidentally fall out of my ears during a workout or dance session.
This is all thanks to those tapered wing tips I mentioned earlier. Simply twist the earbud back and tuck the wing tip into your upper ear for a solid hold.
The case
When it comes to the Beats Fit Pro case, there’s a few things to discuss. Firstly, the case itself is slightly bigger than most on the market. But don’t worry, it just about fits into your pocket. Secondly, and surprisingly, the case is fitted with a USB-C charging input (as opposed to Apple’s lightning one).
The biggest fault with the case is the magnetic lid. The lid doesn’t feel very secure and rattles about slightly. Don’t worry, it’s secure enough to stop the earbuds from just falling out randomly. But drop the case on the floor? There’s a 50/50 chance it will just pop open, and the earbuds will fly out onto the ground – I learned this the hard way.
Sound quality
Sick of cheap earbuds that sound like they were made for cars? With the Beats Fit Pro, you won’t have to worry about sound quality. Thanks to a newly designed H1 chip, they have a slightly bigger soundstage than previous Beats earbuds.
The spatial audio is one of the most impressive I’ve heard on earbuds. Unsure what spatial audio means? Basically, the sound follows you. Turn your head to the left, and the vocal track moves to the right earbud. And it’s the same the other way round. This results in a concert-like experience wherever you go.
Just so you know, the Beats Fit Pro was designed as a workout earbud. If you’re listening to hip-hop, upbeat pop and rap music, it’ll sound absolutely fantastic. That’s because the bass automatically gets a little emphasis. Chilling out listening to jazz or synth pop? Like all workout earbuds, I found it was a slight struggle to hear the vocals with the Beats Fit Pro – especially if there’s ambient background noise.
Smart features
The Beats Fit Pro benefits from the same impressive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as Apple’s flagship buds. From first-hand experience, I can say that it truly does block out noise (more on this below!).
It’s also packed with plenty of other smart features that are typical of the modern earbud. Think quick pairing, ear detection, automatic playing/pausing, locating lost earbuds, and audio sharing. However, I think the thing that really sets the Beats Fit Pro earbuds apart from the competition is its compatibility with Android and iOS.
Even though Beats is technically part of the Apple family, the Beats Fit Pro is just as easy to use with an Android OS. They’ll automatically connect to your Android device and (after you download the Beats app) allow you to perform functions that were typically reserved just for Apple – like one-touch pairing, custom controls and even a Fit Test.
Noise cancelling
While noise cancelling on wireless earbuds generally can’t compete with the silencing you get from over-ear headphones, the noise cancelling feature on the Beats Fit Pro comes pretty close.
It uses the same tech as the Apple AirPods Pro to offer impressive silencing. The active noise cancellation doesn’t completely quieten the environment. Although it’s definitely noticeable – even when there’s no music playing.
There’s also a Transparency mode. This essentially does the opposite to noise cancelling. By utilising the earbuds microphones, outside sound is funnelled in. This way, you can be more aware of your environment.
Battery life
Officially, the Beats Fit Pro can last up to 6 hours with ANC on. But I found it lasted longer if this feature was turned off. You also get three charge cycles (18 hours) from the case. Combined, I could enjoy non-stop listening for 24-hours without charge. But the best part by far is the fast charging. All I had to do was place the earbuds in the case for five minutes to get a whopping 60 minutes of playback!
The small downside is that there’s only one way to charge the case – with a USB-C cable. The one provided by Beats is extremely short, so I’d recommend swapping it for a longer USB-C if you have a spare. And, unlike AirPods, there’s no wireless charging or battery optimisation with the Beats Fit Pro case.
How to use the Beats Fit Pro
Unlike most other wireless earbuds, the Beats Fit Pro is fitted with buttons that control playback and incoming calls. Want to quickly play/pause music or answer a call? All I had to do was click the side of the earbuds. And double-clicking allowed me to skip songs. And the default settings allowed me to switch through the different noise cancelling modes by simply pressing and holding the button down. But I could also change this control in the Beats app or Settings app if I wanted to adjust the volume instead.
I will say that this does feel slightly uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. Because the button is on the side of the earbuds, you’re essentially pushing the Beats Fit Pro further into your ear. Personally, I prefer the touch controls of the Apple AirPods.
The final verdict on the Beats Fit Pro
The Beats Fit Pro is a great addition to Beats’ audio roster. It fits very comfortably, and has a high-quality, bass-boosted sound. The smart features are really worth shouting about. With fast charging, automatic play/pause and an impressive spatial audio, these earbuds make a great alternative to Apple’s slightly pricier AirPods Pro.
Not completely sold?
Explore the full Beats range available at Currys, or if you’re looking for something to completely block out outside noise, why not try the Beats Studio 3 noise cancelling headphones instead?
Still can’t decide? Take a look at our handy guide to discover which wireless earbuds are the best for you. Or hop on a video call with our ShopLive service to receive some top-notch tech advice from an expert.
