Powerbeats (2019)

I used to think like that too, totally with the idea of the small case small form factor for everyday use but the powerbears hit different, the first couple of days when i got the first powerbeats it wasn't fun to fiddle with the hook but then it became a second nature i don't even think about it and i got it for the gym nothing more because the buds that i had back then were falling out of my ears everytime. The second i got used to it i started using it daily not giving a shit about the case size cause they eere that good and loud, then i got the fit pro it was the same thing fiddle with the hook get used to it but now the ANC is an extra plus on top of all the good things about the powerbeats just the noise level is a bit quieter. Now the powerbeats 2is a different story i love it, it's almost the same thing as the powerbeats one but has ANC I don't really care about the heart rate monitor i have my watch to do that. I. Short the powerbeats 2 is in my opinion the best out of all of them eventho i hate the look of it but who cares once you put them on. You have to try it for couple of days to get used to it.

I’ve been using JBL Endurance Race 2s for a bit and if you’re open to in ear they do have an audio pass through ‘aware’ mode - very good for the price, when compared to the equivalent Bose. I prefer Bose in ears for sound quality and noise cancellation, but each generation has problems. The Bose QC 2 Ultras would be my #1 best ever (if money was no object if the touch controls didn’t react to water. I’m a sweaty man and after 3-4 miles the noise cancellation controls start rotating. Shokz really are the way for true awareness. I just don’t think music sounds good through them… so I do prefer in-ear. Beats Sport lines are better than AirPod for similar tech (both owned by apple). I’d say my Beats lasted through my sweat the best of any headphones I’ve had over the years.

What devices are you planning to use them with? If you are in the Apple ecosystem it might make sense to go with AirPods or Beats because there are some features they have limited to their hardware. I have had a pair of AirPod Pro 2s for several years and they do a solid job of noise cancellation. The AirPod 4 ANC do a good job as well but not quite to the same level as the Pros (presumably due to the difference in the seal in your ear being different between the models). I love the option of transparency mode for if I need situational awareness like commuting or at the dog park. I tried Beats earbuds and liked them, the sport ones stay on well if you have trouble with that and they have similar features but not quite as many as the AirPods with an Apple device pairing. Good options to consider for an alternative that isn’t an extreme price point, they have more types of earbuds in terms of physical form factor. Can’t really comment on Android, my AirPods work fine with Windows but switching to my Windows work computer is annoying (unlike Apple to other Apple device that is pretty simple/seamless) so I mostly don’t bother and use a separate headset for my work PC. And yeah notably BIFL is kind of not realistic. iFixit does have info on changing batteries in AirPods but not everyone is willing to go through that effort so ymmv there.

Powerbeats! Great sound but can’t hear much traffic over them which has never been a problem for me but is for others.

Same with my wife so she tried the powerbeats(?) that have the loop around the ear. The case is big and it doesn't have as good of audio but it stays in her ear no matter what. And sweat proof.