Powerbeats Fit Review: Secure, comfortable earbuds that actually stay put and sound really good

The Powerbeats Fit are Beats’ latest true wireless earbuds designed specifically for sports and active lifestyles – though it’s also great as a daily driver. Priced at A$329.95, these earbuds promise an unshakeable hold during intense workouts while delivering the sound quality Beats is known for. These are some of the most secure-fitting earbuds I’ve tested and best sounding for both music listening and movie watching.

Unboxing and Packaging Contents

Design and Features

The standout feature of the Powerbeats Fit is the secure-fit wing tip design. These flexible wing tips have been engineered to provide an incredibly stable hold regardless of what you’re doing. I tested this security in what might seem like an unusual scenario – wearing them on an interstate train journey while moving around the carriage, including in the bathroom. Even with the train shaking at high speed, the earbuds felt so secure that I wasn’t worried about them falling out while peeing. That’s confidence in fit design.

What impresses me most is that this doesn’t require tucking the wing tip under the ridge of your upper ear (though you can, to get an even better fit). The ergonomic shape and flexible wing tip simply lock into place naturally. Beats claims these have been tested on ears of all shapes and sizes with a universal design that’s one size fits all. It’s really hard to achieve but looks like Beats nailed it.

The earbuds themselves are compact, measuring 2.74cm in length and weighing just 5.78g per bud. They don’t feel bulky or protrude awkwardly from your ears, which is important for active use. The IPX4 sweat and water resistance rating means they can handle workouts in any weather condition, whether that’s a sweaty gym session or a run in the rain.

Ear Tips and Comfort

Powerbeats Fit come with four ear tip sizes – XS, S, M, and L – ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your ear canal. This variety is essential for both comfort and sound quality, as a proper seal directly impacts audio performance and noise cancellation effectiveness.

If you’re an iOS user, you can take advantage of the Fit Test feature that helps identify which ear tip size provides the optimal seal. Android users can access this same feature through the Beats app. Getting the right fit will maximise the sound quality and ANC performance too.

I found the earbuds comfortable enough for extended wear. During a six-hour train journey, I wore them for four consecutive episodes of Vikings: Valhalla without any discomfort or ear fatigue. The soft, flexible wing tips don’t create pressure points, and the overall weight distribution feels natural.

Sound Quality: Balanced and Punchy

Beats has come a long way from their reputation for overly bass-heavy sound signatures. The Powerbeats Fit deliver powerful, balanced sound thanks to their custom acoustic platform and axial-aligned drivers. The bass is punchy and present, but it’s at a reasonable, subtle level that enhances rather than overwhelms the listening experience.

When watching movies, the soundstage brought scenes to life impressively. During forest scenes, I could hear birds and environmental sounds with clarity that enhanced immersion. While the soundstage isn’t quite as expansive as some dedicated premium earbuds like the EPOS ADAPT E1, the Powerbeats Fit create a satisfying spatial and bass experience. Scenes that benefit from strong bass – explosions, intense action sequences – pop with impact that feels cinematic.

Music listening has been equally enjoyable. These earbuds deliver the kind of energetic sound that motivates during workouts while remaining refined enough for relaxed listening sessions. The Adaptive EQ feature uses up to five microphones to tailor sound to the personal fit and seal of each earbud when ANC and Transparency are turned off, which helps maintain consistent audio quality.

The Powerbeats Fit also support personalised spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. When watching supported content on compatible devices, the earbuds will use gyroscopes and accelerometers to track head movement, keeping sound anchored to your device for an immersive, cinema-like experience. This works with Apple Music content and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Not everyone likes the feel of this though so the option is yours.

Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency Mode

The Active Noise Cancelling on the Powerbeats Fit is pretty effective. During my six-hour train journey, the ANC muffled train noise to the point where I could no longer hear it while watching content. The advanced microphones continuously adapt to your surroundings to block external noise, creating an impressively quiet environment for such compact earbuds.

I haven’t tested these on a plane yet, but based on the train performance, I’d expect similar results in aircraft cabin environments. The ANC doesn’t create uncomfortable pressure in your ears either, which is something I’ve experienced with some other noise-cancelling earbuds. Sure, they might be better at noise cancelling but that air pressure feel is not pleasant.

Transparency mode works exactly as intended, allowing you to hear your surroundings when necessary. This is particularly useful when walking through busy areas, waiting in train stations for announcements, or any situation where you need situational awareness without removing your earbuds.

Call Quality and Microphones

Each Powerbeats Fit earbud contains three microphones for a total of six that work together to enable beam-forming technology. This setup delivers high-quality call performance by pinpointing your voice whilean internal processor minimises external noise like wind.

The dual beam-forming microphone array ensures your voice comes through clearly during calls, even in moderately noisy environments. The same microphone system powers the ANC and Transparency features, demonstrating Beats’ focus on comprehensive audio performance.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery performance is strong, with up to seven hours of continuous playback per charge from the earbuds themselves. The charging case extends this to up to 30 hours total, which is excellent for multi-day trips without needing to find a charger.

The Fast Fuel charging feature is handy when you’re caught short – a five-minute charge provides up to one hour of playback when battery is low. The case uses USB-C charging, though note that the power adapter and charging cable are sold separately.

Speaking of the case, it’s notably compact – 17% smaller than the previous Powerbeats Pro charging case. At 6.25cm long and weighing 49.75g, it’s pocket-friendly and compares favourably to competitor earbuds from other brands. The total weight of the system with both earbuds is just 61.3g.

Apple Integration and Android Support

If you’re using an iPhone (I’m on the iPhone 17 Pro), the pairing process is brilliantly intuitive thanks to the Apple H1 chip. Simply open the case near your iPhone and you’re prompted to connect – it’s really that simple. The H1 chip also enables automatic switching between Apple devices, Audio Sharing, hands-free Hey Siri, Find My support, and more straight out of the box.

Android users aren’t left out either. The Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, customisable controls, battery status, Locate My Beats functionality, and access to the Fit Test feature. The earbuds use Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth for reliable connectivity regardless of platform.

Controls and Features

The multi-function “b” button on each earbud provides on-device control that you can customise through the app. Press once to play or pause, twice to skip forwards, or three times to skip backwards. You can also set the buttons to manage volume, toggle listening modes, take calls, and activate your voice assistant.

Smart sensors detect when the earbuds are in your ears, automatically playing audio when you insert them and pausing when you remove one. Remove both earbuds and playback stops entirely.

Not Quite “Pro” But Certainly Not Budget

Despite lacking the “Pro” designation in their name, the Powerbeats Fit don’t feel like a budget or compromised version of their more expensive siblings. The sound quality is really impressive, the fit is exceptional, and the feature set is comprehensive. These are proper premium earbuds that happen to be specifically optimised for active use.

The build quality feels solid, and the sweat and water resistance rating provides confidence that these will survive whatever workout routine you throw at them. Beats has also committed to sustainability with 100% plant-based packaging material sourced from recycled fibre and sustainable forests.

Powerbeats Fit Review Conclusion

The Powerbeats Fit successfully deliver on their primary promise: secure, comfortable earbuds that won’t fall out during intense activity (and you’ll notice this security). The flexible wing tip design provides an unshakeable hold without requiring any special fitting technique, making these ideal for workouts, running, or any active pursuit where earbud security is paramount.

Beyond the exceptional fit, these earbuds impress with balanced, punchy sound quality, effective Active Noise Cancelling, and comprehensive features including spatial audio support. The compact charging case, strong battery life, and seamless Apple integration make them practical for daily use beyond just gym sessions.

At A$329.95, the Powerbeats Fit sit at a premium price point, but the combination of secure fit, sound quality, and feature set may justify the investment for anyone serious about workout audio or simply wanting earbuds that absolutely will not fall out. Or if you are loyal to the Beats brand. Whether you’re gymming, travelling, or just going about your day, the Powerbeats Fit deliver reliable performance that makes them easy to recommend.

I honestly can’t wait what they will come up with Powerbeats Pro 3. But that may have to wait until next year.

Disclosure: Beats Powerbeats Fit review sample was supplied for reviewing