Apple's revamped Powerbeats Fit earbuds, priced at £200, offer a winning combination of secure fit, noise cancellation, and cross-platform compatibility. The direct successors to the Beats Fit Pro, these earbuds feature a flexible silicone stabiliser wing that curves inside the ear, making them more compact and comfortable to wear with glasses than their predecessors.
During testing, the earbuds stayed firmly in place even with vigorous head shaking and rain exposure. However, some users may experience discomfort after prolonged use, as the wing can put pressure on the inner ear after about an hour. Call quality is strong, with natural sound in quiet settings and minimal background noise on busy streets.
Battery life is solid, offering six hours of playback with noise cancelling and up to 24 hours total with the charging case, which uses USB-C. The earbuds feature Apple's H1 chip for seamless iPhone connectivity, but the Beats app on Android provides similar features including instant pairing and customisation, making them ideal for users of both platforms.
Sound quality is impressive for workout earbuds, with balanced audio, good low-end power, and clear mids and highs. They excel with rock, pop, hip-hop, and electronic tracks, though they fall short of the AirPods Pro 3. Active noise cancellation effectively dampens road noise but struggles with higher tones like clicks and chatter, while the transparency mode is natural but not as good as having no earbuds in for safety.
The earbuds are not repairable, but Apple offers individual replacements and a £69 battery service. They are available for £199.95, positioning them between the cheaper Beats Solo Buds (£80) and the more expensive Powerbeats Pro 2 (£250). Overall, the Powerbeats Fit are excellent workout earbuds that double as capable everyday earphones, offering a secure fit, good sound, and decent noise cancelling.
