Powerbeats Pro 2 vs soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: which should you buy?

Key differences

Not enough for an overall lead: the soundcore Liberty 5 Pro is ahead on water resistance only. Level on noise cancelling.

• Water resistance: IPX4 vs IP55Powerbeats Pro 2: IPX4 (IPX4 earbuds; the charging case is not water resistant) ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: IP55 ConfirmedSource
• Weight: 8.7g vs 5.5g (both per earbud)Powerbeats Pro 2: 8.7g ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: 5.5g ConfirmedSource
• Battery life: 36 hrs vs 28 hrs (both with case, ANC on)Powerbeats Pro 2: 36 hrs ConfirmedSourcesoundcore Liberty 5 Pro: 28 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 soundcore Liberty 5 Pro 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.