The Powerbeats Fit are a little too familiar - but still my favorite

However, that's not to say that the Powerbeats Fit aren't my new favorite running companion. The upgrades are enough for the new fitness buds to earn that Powerbeats premium name, and open up a whole path forward for the line in the coming years. Even though the Powerbeats Fit took a small step for Beats, it will mean a giant leap forward for the Fit line.

What's new about the Powerbeats Fit

Small standouts that push into premium territory

The Powerbeats Fit are available on the Apple and Beats websites for $200 and come in Gravel Gray, Jet Black, Spark Orange, and Power Pink. You can also purchase them from Amazon.

Let's start with the charging case. The first thing you notice about the case is that it's smaller -- 17% smaller, to be exact -- than the original Beats Fit Pro case. It's also thinner, making it easy to toss into a back pocket or purse. It's not a life-changing reduction, but the slimmer, the better, especially when it comes to packing or minimizing any disruptions to your carefully curated outfit.

Now, while Beats didn't stray from Beats Pro Fit's signature wingtip that clings to your upper outer ear, it did slightly improve the design (and therefore, improve comfort). The flexible wingtip is softer both to the touch and to the eye and much more pliable for a universal fit -- something I was concerned about with my smaller-than-average ears and earhook loyalty. They're also slightly shorter and more rounded than the Beats Fit Pro wingtips, which featured an edge, one of the only design elements that actually distinguishes them from the originals.

Another plus is that Beats included an XS eartip size (in addition to S, M, and L), just like the AirPods Pro 3. Apple isn’t leaving Beats behind when it comes to more inclusive sizing, which is really nice to see.

So, those are the hardware bits. What's it actually like to wear the Powerbeats Fit and am I bringing them to the starting line for my half-marathon?

Why I love sporting the Powerbeats Fit

Nothing particularly new -- which isn't a bad thing

Let's stay physical for a moment. The Powerbeats Fit come with four ear tip size options: XS, S, M, and L, and they fit like a glove once I found the right one for me. Regarding the Ear Tip Fit Test, I did it onsite in one of Apple Music Studios' soundproof booths (right in my iPhone's Bluetooth settings) where I figured the environment couldn't get better. It told me that the S tips were right. However, when I got back to North Carolina (and my half-marathon training schedule), they felt much bulkier than I wanted. I troubleshooted by swapping them out for the XS ear tips, and suddenly, they finally lived up to the buds I was hoping they’d be.

Nothing is more distracting than awkward hardware -- especially somewhere like in your ears where it's borderline impossible to lose awareness of them. But the buds aren't bulky or obtrusive. I've run into friends on walks who haven't even noticed the Power Pink buds beneath my hair until I've taken them out.

Battery life

Beats knows nothing if not consistency. The buds offer up to seven hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. Of course, turning on ANC zaps the battery faster, but since using these buds for almost a month, I've only had to charge the case once every ten days or so.

Sound quality

Let's get into the sound -- not much has changed here compared to the Beats Fit Pro. The Powerbeats Fit deliver a clean, full-bodied sound across the many genres I listen to, from peaceful movie scores to hard-style EDM.

The first song I tested was Supermarine by Hans Zimmer, from Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. The Powerbeats Fit absolutely nailed the frantic, suspenseful song and didn't lose any sense of clarity or control. The uneasy piece is eight minutes of pure tension that sneaks in the illusion of a constantly rising pitch, which the buds handle with precision. Zimmer's creative style for Dunkirk's score layered higher pitches -- like strings, brass, and air raid sirens -- that stay distinct from low-frequency, rumbling builds that don't bleed into the mids. It's immersive, controlled, and completely stressful (which is exactly what Hans intended in this case). Bravo on the Zimmer front, Powerbeats Fit.

The second song I always use to test headphones is RÜFÜS DU SOL's Innerbloom. Considered one of the emotional hallmarks of house, Innerbloom is a slow-burn experience with soft synths, steady pulse, and spacious reverb -- not to mention the iconic saxophone solos. It's great for testing spatial dynamics and tonal balance, with subtle transitions that the Powerbeats Fit handle beautifully. They maintain clarity and highlight RÜFÜS's intricate synth additions without taking away from the fluidity of the track.

ANC, Spatial Audio, and more

The Active Noise Cancellation works well. It doesn't completely block out sounds like Apple's AirPods Pro 3, but it definitely muffles a particularly loud coffee shop or even a passing train. On several flights, I ended up in total silence after the ANC canceled out the notorious white noise of the cabin.

The Powerbeats Fit have Spatial Audio, head tracking, and auto-switching between your iCloud devices, which is a joy when I'm jumping from my iPhone to my MacBook Pro. Hands-free Siri is also a plus, so I can stow away my phone during a 10-mile run and not miss a single joke in the group chat. There's also cross-platform compatibility -- Android users, rejoice -- and I can easily connect my iPhone or Motorola Razr to the buds.

Transparency mode was everything I hoped for. A few weeks ago, when I ran a 10K, there were some points where I wanted to lock in and only hear my tunes, and other times I wanted to hear the crowd cheering me on for a little encouragement. I know that during my half-marathon, I'll want to toggle between ANC and Transparency mode throughout the race.

If you're connecting with an Android, you just have to download the Beats app for the Ear Tip Fit Test. iOS users can do that right in their settings.

Where the Powerbeats Fit could improve

Opportunities across all departments

First, I'll always ask for a better IP rating than whatever any tech offers. However, I do feel like the Powerbeats Fit should be more durable than IPX4, which makes them water-resistant (i.e., splashes, steam rooms, or a particularly sweaty workout). Even more peace of mind is an upgrade Beats shouldn't shy away from in the next generation.

Comfort-wise, I start to become aware of the buds after a few hours of constant use. During my long runs (up to two hours some days), I don't feel any discomfort. However, when I pop in the Powerbeats Fit from 9AM to 5PM to chip away at the workday, I have to take them out after three hours or so. When they start to get slightly uncomfortable, I release the wingtip from the tighter tuck and let it grip farther up my outer ear. I'll reserve the snugger hold for the racetrack.

While we're talking fit, I'm glad they included an XS size for ears even smaller than mine. However, I couldn't help but think about the other end of the spectrum. If some people have extra-small ears, there must also be people who would benefit from an XL ear tip. Without a big enough seal, plenty of folks are bound to keep sighing and accepting that they'll continue reaching for their buds between car seats and gym equipment.

Also on my wish list are wireless charging and Adaptive mode, which seem to be limited by the company opting to use the Apple H1 chip over the newer Apple H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2. If Apple had kicked it up a notch in the chip department, the Powerbeats Fit could've held more of a candle to those bigger players.

Should you buy the Powerbeats Fit?

The bottom line

The redesigned case says it all -- it's 17% smaller, and that’s about how much of an upgrade the Powerbeats Fit feel like over the Beats Fit Pro. It's no revolution, but more of a refinement used to help pioneer the new lineup's identity. And you know what? I'm perfectly okay with that. I still think they're some of the best fitness earbuds you can buy (and that's coming from an earhook loyalist). Whether I'm sprinting or strength training, the wingtip surprised me with both its comfort and security -- not to mention the booming but balanced sound in my ears.

No, they don't match up against the H2-powered features that the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 boast. But they do hold their own as workout-first buds, especially for Android users, who aren't banging on the door of the AirPods walled garden.

At $200, the value proposition gets a little murky, especially when you can still find the Beats Fit Pro for much less. But, if you find them on sale -- and hopefully you will, soon -- they're absolutely worth adding to your cart. The Powerbeats Fit may not redefine the fitness lineup, but they do rename it and confidently assert the Powerbeats premium on it.