I am currently on a journey to find the best running headphones that won't fall out of my ears When I tested the AirPods Pro for running at the track a few weeks ago, I spent more time chasing bouncy falling buds than I did laps

Despite the tribulations of wireless headphones, I'm still committed to running as a regular part of my workout I intend to find the best wireless earbuds (or headset) to provide a soundtrack, even if the tread on my sneakers gets worn down in the process

On my first failed attempt after using AirPods Pro, I used Powerbeats Pro I have tried the Beats brand buds, which have a long history as fitness earbuds, but I left them in my sweatpants and washed them

Still, the Powerbeats Pro combines water and sweat resistance, an attractive earhook design, and effortless integration with Apple via the always capable H1 chip If this is not the combination I need, I don't know what is So are the Powerbeats Pro the ideal running headphones for me? To find out, read the following article

When I opened the box of the baby blue Powerbeats Pro, it came with three sets of ear tips and a fourth pair attached to the buds; the AirPods Pro already comes in a medium size, with a small and large size in the box However, the AirPods Pro offers a special fit test to help you choose the right size; with the Powerbeats Pro, we had to resort to old-fashioned trial and error

I was pleased with the fixed security of the smallest ear tips and felt ready to run After finishing my walking warm-up on the track, I put on some upbeat tunes and picked up the pace At first, the Powerbeats Pro was wobbly and loose, threatening to fall out of my ears with every step But I decided to trust that it wouldn't, and after the first lap, I got used to the feeling that it was barely there

After two miles, the Powerbeats Pro stayed in my ears, even when I needed to adjust my ponytail or wipe away the sweat that had collected around my neck in the humid summer air Comfort, though, diminished over time About an hour into my workout, the stiff hooks began to pinch my earlobes I could no longer tolerate this sensation and decided to walk home without listening to music; I did not experience this annoying pain with the AirPods Pro

Before the ear pain with the Powerbeats Pro, I enjoyed the sound quality The Buds produced balanced audio and mastered the oddities of my varied running soundtrack From the iconic baseball broadcast of Meat Loaf's "Bat of Hell" and the cymbal beat of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Can't Hold Us" to the addictive bass of Lil Wayne's "A Milli" and Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" From the anthemic vocals, the Powerbeats Pro showed what it's got A little more volume would have come in handy when I wanted another push

The Powerbeats Pro is not noise-canceling like the AirPods Pro, so I can hear the sirens of emergency vehicles and the buzz of other people on the track While I like the feeling of being connected to my surroundings when I'm working out, I wouldn't wear the Powerbeats Pro when I'm trying to focus on my work When I'm not moving around, I'll probably use the AirPods Pro or perhaps the AirPods Max These are two of the best noise-canceling headphones available today

My experience running with the Powerbeats Pro could have been better, but it could have been worse I happen to like the design and fun color options of the Beats earbuds, so I felt stylish even with sweat dripping down my face But they say "pain is beauty," and after a long workout with the Powerbeats Pro, that was true

Fortunately, I don't plan on becoming a long-distance runner anytime soon, and for track workouts of 60 minutes or less, the Powerbeats Pro is great Because of the sound quality and easy pairing, I may even use the Powerbeats Pro for my next weightlifting session While not the ultimate running headphones I was looking for, the Powerbeats Pro is a worthy alternative to the AirPods Pro