This article is part of our series?Battle of the Brands, in which we compare category-leading products to their counterparts to determine which are actually worth your money.
The Beats Fit Pro have long been our pick for the best workout headphones. Essentially a compact version of the Beats Powerbeats Pro with AirPods Pro 2 functionality, these wingtip buds appeal to active lifestylers seeking excellent true wireless performance and seamless Apple?integration while also working great with Android. They also carry a robust feature set that includes active noise cancellation, location tracking via Find My app and spatial audio.
Sennheiser just launched its newest sporty model — the Momentum Sport — to compete with Beats’ top offering. These premium buds double as a fitness tracker, boasting advanced sensors that can take your body temperature and heart rate readings and output biometric data to some of the best workout apps. Rounding out the package are a fit-friendly design, multiple upscale features, noise cancellation and Sennheiser sound.
Which buds come out on top?Our in-depth Beats Fit Pro and Sennheiser Momentum Sport comparison has the answer.
Beats Fit Pro vs. Sennheiser Momentum Sport at a glance
Blending all the AirPods Pro’s best features into the Beats aesthetic, the Fit Pro have the durability, battery life and sound to get you through intense workouts.
Sennheiser’s latest buds have great ANC, legacy sound, Polar-powered fitness tracking and a universal fit.
Quick comparison
Beats Fit Pro
|
Sennheiser Momentum Sport
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes |
Yes |
| Ambient noise | Yes |
Yes |
| Battery life (rated) | Up to 7 hours (earbuds only); up to 30 hours (with case) |
Up to 6 hours (earbuds); up to 24 hours (with case) |
| Wireless charging | No |
Yes |
| Sweat and water resistance | IPX4 (earbuds) |
IP55 (earbuds); IP54 (case) |
| Ear tip sizes | S, M, L |
S, M, L |
| Software support | iOS, Android |
iOS, Android |
| Colors | Black, Coral Pink, Dune, Earth, Moon, Sage Grey, Stone Purple, Tidal Blue, Volt Yellow, White |
Black, Graphite, Olive |
| Weight | 0.19 oz. |
0.22 ounces |
Sound quality is superior on the Momentum Sport
Sennheiser equipped the Momentum Sport with a brand-new 10mm TrueResponse transducer that produces stronger bass right out of the box. The Sennheiser Smart Control app hosts a customizable five-band EQ with multiple presets to personalize sound. There’s a Bass Boost toggle to give workout tracks extra oomph, and Sound Check and Sound Zones are engineered to automatically tweak what you hear based on auditory preference or location. Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive codec also gives Android users improved clarity and detail when listening to the best music streaming services.
The Beats Fit Pro deliver energetic, well-balanced bass with emphasized mids and highs. Instruments and vocals are clear on boom-heavy tracks, though the Momentum Sport’s soundstage is more refined. Sound is customizable in several ways. Headphone Accommodations lets you adjust balance, range or brightness; the EQ in iOS can be swapped out with numerous other presets; and Personalized Spatial Audio automatically creates an immersive sound profile tailored to your hearing.
Equally great at noise cancellation
Expect solid noise neutralization and transparency from these two pairs of buds, no matter the environment. Beats’ and Sennheiser’s ANC technologies handle low and mid-frequency sounds with ease while letting in few high-pitched noises that aren’t too disruptive. Wind resistance is noticeably better on the Momentum Sport, thanks to the Anti-Wind mode, though ambient noise is amplified.
Each transparency mode is well engineered to boost environmental awareness. As much as I like the Momentum Sport’s ability to decipher external sounds, I prefer the Fit Pro’s voice capture when eavesdropping on conversations and having face-to-face chats. Enhanced Apple features like Live Listen also come in handy when you want to transform your iPhone into a live mic and hear noises.
The Fit Pro’s flagship features are more enticing
The Fit Pro come with practically every high-end Apple feature, including ANC, EQ, Live Listen and Personalized Spatial Audio. Other notables are audio sharing, automatic switching, Find My (AirPods) support and “Hey Siri” for flawless voice activation on Apple devices. You can even execute some of these AirPods Max tips and tricks to maximize operation. Beats didn’t forget about Android users either, as they can download the Beats app to access the Fit Pro’s primary features.
Sennheiser’s buds have their own set of unique perks. We’re talking ANC, aptX Adaptive, Bluetooth multipoint to pair to two devices simultaneously, EQ, Sound Check/Zones, two battery-saving modes (Battery Eco and Battery-Protect) and a useful Auto-Accept Call function to accept calls when removing the buds from their case. The real standouts are body temperature and heart rate monitoring, which are tracked through Polar-developed sensors built into the buds. If only they worked as accurately as the sensors on the Apple Watch and the best fitness trackers. Unfortunately, beats per minute (bmp) readings are off compared to what’s shown on wrist-worn wearables, and integration with the Polar Flow app brings little to the table unless you own a Polar device.
Design and battery life go to Beats
Both models are attractive and durable; however, the Fit Pro are better protected and have longer battery life. Sturdy plastic with IPX4 sweat and water resistance keeps them safe in extreme conditions. The installed wingtips mold nicely to the ear to maintain a stable fit. Beats’ charging case is chic and has strong magnets that keep the lid shut, even when dropped on hard surfaces. Battery life is rated at seven hours per charge, and the case holds up to 30 hours. Fast-Fuel technology nets you one hour of listening time on a five-minute charge.
IP54 (charging case) and IP55 (buds) certifications shield the Momentum Sport from dust and heavy water splashing. A bunch of fins and tips are bundled to properly fit different ear shapes. Unfortunately, Sennheiser’s impressive craftsmanship is tainted by the charging case’s flimsy lid and weak magnetic closure. On top of that, it only holds up to 24 hours and generates one hour of use on a 10-minute quick charge. The buds can get you six hours, but power-draining features like ANC and heart rate monitoring decrease playtime by two hours.
Bottom line
The Beats Fit Pro are the greater value. Having most of the AirPods Pro 2’s functionality in Beats wrapping for less than $200 is an absolute steal. Sound is invigorating for cardio fanatics, and spatial audio gives content a livelier presence. ANC is just as effective as it is on Apple’s flagship buds. Lengthier playtimes and a more secure charging case are two other reasons to make the Fit Pro your new gym partner.
The Momentum Sport offer class-leading sound with fantastic ANC and smart listening modes that help optimize workouts, but not everything operates accordingly (*cough* fitness tracking *cough*). Poor design choices and a steep price tag also keep this model a tier below Beats’ best.
