I had a strange reaction the first time. My face winced when I put in these earbuds. Later, I understood their real purpose. The Powerbeats Fit cost €230 in France. They position themselves as the premium solution for athletes. Their promise is simple: a rock-solid fit. But are they really worth this price? I tested these earbuds for a month. I’m giving you my honest experience, from the initial pain to my final verdict.

🏃‍♂️ My Initial Shock: The Powerbeats Fit Hurt Me

My experience started badly. I have to be 100% honest with you. When I first put in the Powerbeats Fit, I felt pain. Yes, real pain. I felt a very sharp pressure point. The flexible wingtip pressed directly into the cartilage of my ear. I was incredibly disappointed. I told myself they weren’t made for me.

However, I wanted to know more. I had two friends test the earbuds during a run. Their answer was unanimous. They found them super comfortable. The fit was perfect. So, the problem was my ears.

I decided to insist. I pushed through it. My first 30-minute run was awkward. I still felt the pressure. But the very next day, the sensation had changed. I barely felt anything. My ears got used to it. Or maybe the wingtip adapted to my ear.

Today, the result is clear. I put them in, I twist, and they are locked. Most importantly, they don’t hurt me at all. My advice is simple. If you feel discomfort at first, persist. Consider it a short break-in period. It’s worth the effort.

✨ Design and Promise: A Rock-Solid Fit?

First, let’s open the box. Inside, it’s standard. We find the case and the earbuds. We also discover four sizes of silicone tips. There’s Extra Small, Small, Medium (pre-installed), and Large. Finding the right tip is essential for comfort and sound.

Now, let’s talk about the case. My first impression is its incredible compactness. Beats says it’s 17% smaller than older models. You can really feel this in your pocket. It is thin and very minimalist. The case alone weighs 49.75 grams. Each earbud weighs 5.78 grams. The entire set is super light at 61.3 grams.

The build quality is excellent. The case’s hinge is solid. It doesn’t wobble. You can feel the quality, unlike cheaper models.

But the real revolution for me is something else. The case is IPX4 certified, just like the earbuds. This is great. You can run in a light rain. You can sweat heavily. The case and earbuds will resist it.

Finally, the controls. The “B” logo on each earbud is a physical button. I love this choice. Touch controls often fail with sweaty or wet fingers. Here, one click is all it takes. It’s reliable.

📱 Powerbeats Fit on Android: The H1 Experience

I tested these earbuds exclusively with an Android phone. You should know that Beats belongs to Apple. However, connectivity on Android is good news. The Beats app is clear. Pairing happens with a single touch. I can see the battery level of the earbuds and the case. I can also customize the controls. The Bluetooth 5.3 connection is perfectly stable.

However, the Android experience has limits. These limits come from Apple’s H1 chip. This chip is starting to get old.

First, we don’t get spatial audio on Android. That feature is reserved for Apple users. Second, we are limited to the AAC codec. There are no high-fidelity codecs. No aptX. No LDAC. This is a direct consequence of the H1 chip. For €230, that’s a real shame. We miss out on the most modern “magic” features.

🎧 The Sound: A Surprising Double-Sided Coin

Let’s talk about audio performance. The Powerbeats Fit have active noise cancellation (ANC). But let’s be clear: it is just okay. It exists, that’s all. Do not expect a bubble of silence. It will dampen small ambient noises. The gym’s AC fan, for example. It is far from the best on the market.

On the other hand, the Transparency mode is excellent. This is the most important mode for running safely. The sound remains very natural. It is not robotic. I hear my music perfectly. Most importantly, I can clearly distinguish cars coming up behind me. This is a real plus for safety.

How do they sound? For sports, the sound is top-notch. I emphasize: for sports. The earbuds have 9.5 mm drivers. The sound is dynamic and energetic. The bass is powerful but doesn’t get muddy. Vocals remain clear. It’s a sound that motivates you. When I run to techno, I can time my pace to the bass. It’s a gem.

⚠️ The Hidden Problem: Choosing Between Sound and Safety

There is an important “but.” The sound is not the same depending on your settings. This is the biggest flaw of these earbuds.

When ANC or Transparency mode is active, the sound is good. It has a “V” shape. This means the bass and treble are boosted. Unfortunately, the mids (vocals, instruments) are a bit recessed.

Conversely, if you deactivate both modes, everything changes. The earbuds switch to “Adaptive EQ.” Microphones analyze your ear and adjust the sound. And here, the sound becomes incredible. It is warmer, more lush. The mids come back. The soundstage opens up. The sound is richer and much more detailed. You get a more traditional high-end earbud sound.

This is great, but it’s also a problem. I am forced to choose. Do I want the best possible sound? Or do I want transparency to hear the cars? I cannot have both at the same time. The old H1 chip is the cause of this compromise.

🤔 My Verdict: Are the Powerbeats Fit Right For You?

I have been using the Powerbeats Fit for a month. Before the verdict, let’s talk battery life. This is a major strong point. Beats claims 7 hours on the earbuds. In reality, this is very solid. The case provides about 30 hours of total battery life. That is more than enough.

So, should you buy them? You must see these earbuds as a specialized tool. They are earbuds for sports. They are not all-around, do-everything earbuds.

Do not buy them for the best technology. Do not buy them for the most powerful noise cancellation. Do not buy them if you want wireless charging (they don’t have it).

On the other hand, you can buy them if you are an athlete. Are you a runner? Do you do CrossFit? Are you looking for earbuds that will never fall out? Then yes, they are really good. The fit is perfect (after the break-in period). The sound is motivating. The transparency mode is safe.

My only real complaint is the price. At €230, I find them a bit expensive. The competition is very tough at this price point. But for purely sports use, the Powerbeats Fit deliver on their promise.