LIVV Pro vs Powerbeats Pro 2
LIVV Pro vs Powerbeats Pro 2: Over-Ear or Earbud for Workouts?
The Powerbeats Pro 2 is the most popular workout earbud on the planet. The LIVV Pro is the first over-ear designed to compete with it. Here’s how to decide which form factor wins for the way you train.
The Short Version
This is less a head-to-head and more a form-factor question. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is the right pick if you train light and want the smallest possible footprint — ear hooks, tiny case, no headband. The LIVV Pro is the right pick if you want richer sound, real noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and battery life that measures in days, not hours.
You can have one or the other. Most serious athletes end up wanting both for different sessions. The point of this page is to help you pick which one comes first.
Spec Comparison
| Spec | LIVV Pro | Powerbeats Pro 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear headphone | True-wireless earbud with ear hook |
| Price | $349.99 | $249.99 |
| Battery (per charge) | 50 hours (40 with ANC) | ~10 hours (~8 with ANC) |
| Battery (total with case) | N/A — built-in | ~45 hours |
| Sweat / water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes (up to −35 dB) | Yes |
| Heart-rate monitor | No | Yes (optical, in-ear) |
| Microphones | 5 | 3 per earbud (6 total) |
| Driver | 40 mm dynamic | Small driver (custom) |
| Sound stage | Wide, full-range | Tight, in-ear |
| Apple H2 chip | No | Yes |
| Wired option | USB-C audio, 3.5 mm | None |
| Designed for | Workouts and all-day use | Workouts only |
Fit and Security
The Powerbeats Pro 2 ear hook is the gold standard for in-ear stability. It physically wraps around the ear and isn’t going anywhere — a real strength for sprinting, plyometrics, and inversions.
The LIVV Pro is the first over-ear designed to match that level of stability without going in-ear. The zig-zag headband and triangular earcups distribute pressure so the headphones stay locked in during squats, kettlebell flows, and treadmill intervals. You don’t get the ear-hook anchor, but you also don’t get the in-ear pressure that some users can’t wear for more than 30–45 minutes.
If earbuds work for your ears, Powerbeats wins fit alone. If in-ear pressure bothers you, LIVV is the only over-ear that even competes.Sound and Listening Experience
This is where the over-ear form factor pulls ahead. The LIVV Pro’s 40 mm dynamic drivers move a lot more air than the Powerbeats Pro 2’s miniature in-ear drivers. The result is a wider soundstage, more presence in the low end, and a more immersive feel for training mixes, podcasts, and concerts.
The Powerbeats Pro 2 sound great for an in-ear, but they sound like an in-ear. If you want the music to feel big, the over-ear wins.
Winner: LIVV ProBattery Life
The Powerbeats Pro 2 manages roughly 10 hours per charge, with the case extending total runtime to about 45 hours. The LIVV Pro runs 50 hours per charge with ANC off, 40 hours with it on — no case required, no juggling pods.
For multi-day trips, festivals, or just being someone who hates charging things, the LIVV Pro is hard to beat.
Winner: LIVV Pro per-charge. Powerbeats wins case-charge portability.Workout-Specific Features
Powerbeats Pro 2 adds something the LIVV Pro doesn’t: in-ear optical heart-rate monitoring. If you train without a chest strap or watch, that’s a real perk and it syncs with Apple Health, Peloton, and many fitness apps.
The LIVV Pro plays the comfort-and-stamina game instead. IPX4 sweat resistance, magnetic replaceable ear pads (so the cushions outlast hard training), an IR sensor that auto-pauses when you take them off, and 5 microphones for taking calls mid-session.
Comfort Over Long Sessions
A 90-minute strength workout, a 2-hour bike ride, a long flight — over-ears beat earbuds for sustained comfort, every time. The LIVV Pro’s removable, replaceable ear pads also mean you can refresh the contact surface, which is the part of any headphone that gets worn out first.
Powerbeats Pro 2 are great for a 45-minute training block. They’re less great for the rest of your day.
Winner: LIVV ProTravel and Portability
This is the one place Powerbeats Pro 2 clearly wins. The case fits in a jacket pocket. The LIVV Pro is foldable and ships in a sleeve, but it’s a full-size over-ear — you’re packing it the way you’d pack sunglasses, not earbuds.
Winner: Powerbeats Pro 2Versatility Outside the Gym
This is where the math changes. The Powerbeats Pro 2 is a workout earbud. It’s optimized for that role and pretty good at general listening, but most people pair them with another set of headphones for desk work, travel, and home.
The LIVV Pro is a workout headphone that’s also a great desk, travel, and home headphone. For a buyer who wants one pair instead of two, that math matters.
Winner: LIVV ProWho Should Buy What
Buy the Powerbeats Pro 2 if…
- You want the smallest possible workout footprint.
- You sprint, do plyometrics, or need maximum stability per gram.
- You want a built-in heart-rate monitor that syncs with Apple Health.
- You already have a great pair of over-ears for the rest of your day.
Buy the LIVV Pro if…
- You don’t love how earbuds feel in your ears for long sessions.
- You want richer sound, real bass, and a wider soundstage.
- You want one pair of headphones for workouts, work, and travel.
- You’d rather not charge headphones twice a week.
- You’re not all-in on the Apple ecosystem.
Move Without Compromise
The LIVV Pro is the over-ear built for the way athletes actually use headphones — in the gym, on the road, at the desk, on the plane. Free shipping. 30-day returns.
Shop the LIVV Pro →Frequently Asked Questions
Can you work out in over-ear headphones?
You can if they’re designed for it. Most over-ears are not — they slip when you move, they trap heat, and the pads soak up sweat. The LIVV Pro was designed from scratch around the active use case, with IPX4 sweat resistance and a patented stay-put fit. Standard Beats, Sony, or Bose over-ears are not workout-rated.
Are over-ears or earbuds better for the gym?
Earbuds are smaller and lighter. Over-ears sound better, have far longer battery life, and don’t put pressure inside your ear canal during long sessions. The right answer depends on your training and your ear comfort.
Does the LIVV Pro work with iPhone?
Yes. The LIVV Pro is fully compatible with iPhone and iOS, with a dedicated LIVV Audio app on the App Store. It doesn’t have an Apple H2 chip, so you don’t get one-tap pairing the way the Powerbeats do — but standard Bluetooth pairing takes about 10 seconds.
Does the LIVV Pro have a heart-rate monitor?
No. Heart-rate sensing works best either in-ear or at the wrist or chest. If heart-rate is important to your training, pair the LIVV Pro with an Apple Watch, Garmin, Whoop, or chest strap.
Which has longer battery life?
The LIVV Pro lasts up to 50 hours on a single charge. The Powerbeats Pro 2 lasts up to about 10 hours per charge, extended to roughly 45 hours total with the charging case. For pure runtime without a case, LIVV wins by a wide margin.