Is the Powerbeats Pro 2 worth the upgrade from the Sony WF-1000XM5?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Powerbeats Pro 2 actually scores 10.0 points below the Sony WF-1000XM5, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. It loses ground on noise cancelling (9.0 to 7.5) and sound (9.0 to 8.0). On paper: battery life (anc on) 8 h to 10 h, battery incl. case 24 h to 45 h and driver size 8.4 mm to 9.5 mm. Worth checking: battery life goes 12 h to 10 h and codecs goes SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 to SBC, AAC. The two sit at effectively the same price. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound9.08.0
- Noise cancelling9.07.5
- Battery8.08.0
- Calls8.07.0
- Value7.07.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | WF-1000XM5 | Powerbeats Pro 2 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 12 h | 10 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 8 h | 10 h | |
| Battery incl. case | 24 h | 45 h | |
| Full charge time | 90 min | 120 min | |
| Driver size | 8.4 mm | 9.5 mm | |
| Case weight | 39 g | 69 g | |
| ANC type | hybrid | adaptive | |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 1 h | 5 min = 1.5 h | |
| Controls | touch | both | |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 40 kHz | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "WF-1000XM5 to Powerbeats Pro 2". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across true wireless and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.