Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM6: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Powerbeats Pro 2 price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Sony WF-1000XM6 price: Checked Oct. 31, 2026

Most people: get the Sony WF-1000XM6, because it is the better fit for more of what people buy these for.

On an iPhone: the Powerbeats Pro 2 works better with your phone.

Get the Powerbeats Pro 2 if you want phone calls.

Get the Sony WF-1000XM6 for open-ear comfort and sleeping in them.

Get the Powerbeats Pro 2 to save $128.05.

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Powerbeats Pro 2 vs Sony WF-1000XM6

Powerbeats Pro 2
BEATS

Powerbeats Pro 2

$199.95 at Walmart
Sony WF-1000XM6
SONY

Sony WF-1000XM6

$328 at Amazon
  1. Powerbeats Pro 2: 8.7gWeight−2.2 gSony WF-1000XM6: 6.5g
  2. Powerbeats Pro 2: 10 hrsBattery life+2 hrsSony WF-1000XM6: 12 hrs
  3. Powerbeats Pro 2: Up to 45 hours with the charging case and 10 hours per charge; up to 36 hours with ANC or Transparency onBatterySony WF-1000XM6: Up to 8 hours with noise canceling on (24 hours with the case); up to 12 hours with it off over AAC or SBC
  4. Powerbeats Pro 2: IPX4 earbuds; the charging case is not water resistantWater resistanceSony WF-1000XM6: IPX4
  5. Powerbeats Pro 2: $199.95Price today$128.05 apartSony WF-1000XM6: $328
Powerbeats Pro 2
Buy at Walmart$199.95
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Sony WF-1000XM6

See Sony WF-1000XM6 prices

All the details

Key differences

Still a tie on the makers' figures: the two read the same on water resistance. Pick on price, or on what each Guide says it is best for.

  • Weight: 8.7g vs 6.5g (both per earbud)Powerbeats Pro 2: 8.7g ConfirmedSourceSony WF-1000XM6: 6.5g ConfirmedSource
  • Battery life: 10 hrs vs 12 hrs (both ANC off)Powerbeats Pro 2: 10 hrs ConfirmedSourceSony WF-1000XM6: 12 hrs ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Powerbeats Pro 2 Guide names it for fitness, travel and calls.Fitness: Nickel-titanium ear hooks hold them in place through a workout, and built-in heart rate sensors send live data to Apple Fitness or your gym equipment. Source linkedSourceTravel: Ten hours from the buds and 35 more from the case add up to 45 hours, enough for a long trip. Source linkedSourceCalls: Paired with an iOS device, five microphones and voice accelerometers cancel background noise so calls stay clear. Source linkedSource

The Sony WF-1000XM6 Guide does not name what it is best for yet, so this list does not compare the two.

From what each Guide names the product best for.

Side by side

FeaturePowerbeats Pro 2Sony WF-1000XM6
BatteryUp to 45 hours with the charging case and 10 hours per chargeUp to 8 hours with noise canceling onBeats45 hoursSony8 hours
Weight8.7 g per earbud6.5 g per earbud with M tipsBeats8.7 gSony6.5 g
Water resistanceIPX4 earbudsIPX4
ChipApple H2HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3e and Integrated Processor V2
ConnectivityClass 1 BluetoothBluetooth with multipoint
Status lightStatus light on the caseIndicator
Controlsb buttonTouch sensors
Noise cancellingAdaptive Active Noise Cancelling, plus Transparency modeYes, adaptive, with the QN3e processor
Spatial audioPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking360 Reality Audio
Works withiPhone and Android: one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My with Apple devicesiPhone and Android, Sony Sound Connect app
Earbud batteryUp to 10 hours per chargeUp to 8 hours with noise canceling onBeats10 hoursSony8 hours
Case batteryUp to 45 hours in total with the caseUp to 24 hours in total with the case, noise canceling onBeats45 hoursSony24 hours
Lossless audioLow-latency lossless audio with Apple Vision ProHigh-resolution wireless audio with LDAC
CaseWireless charging case: USB-C or Qi wireless chargersCharging case with Qi wireless charging and USB-C

Sony WF-1000XM6

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Works with your phone

iPhone
WorksWorks with limits
Android
WorksWorks

Sources

BeatsSony ElectronicsSonyBeatsSonySonyBeatsSonySonySony
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