Beats by Dre and Nike are teaming up for the first time with the Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition, a limited run that blends one of the most recognizable fitness earbud designs with equally unmistakable branding. The formula is straightforward: take the proven Powerbeats Pro 2 platform, add Nike’s Swoosh to the right earbud, the Beats “b” to the left, and wrap it all in a Volt-accented aesthetic that leans hard into gym culture without messing with the underlying performance.
That restraint is what makes this collaboration smarter than it looks. The fitness earbud category is brutally competitive right now, packed with options from Bose, Sony, Jabra, and Apple itself, all chasing the same workout crowd with better fit, longer battery life, and more reliable connectivity. Beats didn’t reinvent anything here because it didn’t have to. Instead, it borrowed Nike’s global identity and layered it on top of a product that already resonates with athletes.
Call it predictable if you want, but in a market where most “special editions” feel like an afterthought, this one at least understands the assignment. Just do it, indeed.
“This isn’t just a new colorway; it’s a collision of two brands that define performance, culture, and sports—the attributes of today’s athlete,” said Chris Thorne, CMO of Beats. “By placing the Swoosh on our hardware for the first time, we’re honoring the shared DNA of Beats and Nike—and celebrating ambassadors like LeBron James who embody both. It’s a tribute to the grit, style, and sound that push people to their limits.”
To support the launch, Beats enlisted longtime ambassador LeBron James for a comedic campaign built around a simple idea: you do not have to be perfect to play. In Keep Your Head in the Game, James takes to the golf course with skills that will not scare the PGA Tour, tuning out the critics, played by pro golfer Tom Kim and actors Lionel Boyce and Travis “Taco” Bennett, and playing the game on his own terms with the Powerbeats Pro 2.
“When two iconic brands like Beats and Nike come together, it’s more than a collaboration. For me, it’s family,” said LeBron James. “I’ve been part of the Beats journey since day one with the original Powerbeats, and the Powerbeats Pro 2 represent everything I need in my daily routine, whether I’m training, recovering, or just living life. These aren’t just my go to earbuds. They’re built for anyone who refuses to compromise on performance.”
Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition Features
While the aesthetic is new, the internals remain unchanged and include:
In Ear Fit and Spatial Audio: Like the standard Powerbeats Pro 2, the Nike Special Edition uses an in ear design with an over ear hook for a secure fit. It also supports Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, delivering immersive sound with clear highs, a full midrange, and deep bass.
Active Noise Cancelling: Designed for workouts and daily use, Active Noise Cancelling helps block out distractions. Transparency mode is also included, allowing users to stay aware of their surroundings when needed.
Adaptive EQ: The Nike Special Edition features Adaptive EQ, which adjusts sound in real time based on fit. An inward facing microphone monitors what you actually hear, and computational audio tunes low and mid frequencies to compensate for seal variations.
Stability and Comfort: The earhook is reinforced with a nickel titanium alloy, improving flexibility, grip, and long term comfort during movement.
IPX4 and More: With an IPX4 rating, the earbuds are built to handle sweat, rain, and tough workouts. A venting system improves comfort and acoustics, and five ear tip sizes are included for a better fit.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Built in optical sensors pulse over 100 times per second to measure blood flow, providing real time heart rate data that can sync with compatible fitness apps.
Just as with the Powerbeats Pro 2, the Heart Rate Monitoring feature is compatible with the following apps in the US:
- Nike Run Club
- Open
- Peloton
- Runna
- Slopes
- Ladder
- YaoYao
Apple Compatibility: The Special Edition works seamlessly with Apple devices with no app required, offering one touch pairing, automatic switching, audio sharing, hands free Siri, and Find My support to help locate your earbuds.
Android Compatibility: For Android users, the Beats App unlocks one-touch pairing, the ability to activate or disable Heart Rate Monitoring, customizable controls, battery status widgets, Locate My Beats, and over-the-air updates.
Battery Life: Powered by Apple’s H2 chip, the Special Edition delivers up to 45 hours of total battery life with the charging case, while each earbud provides up to 10 hours of playback per charge. A five minute Fast Fuel charge adds up to 90 minutes of listening time. The redesigned case is 33% smaller than before and marks the first Beats earbud case to support Qi certified wireless charging.
Comparison
| Model | Powerbeats Pro 2 -Nike Special Edition (2026) | Powerbeats Pro 2 (2025) | Powerbest Pro (2019) |
| Product Type | Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds | Open-Ear Wireless Earbuds | In-Ear Wireless Earbuds |
| Price | $249.99 | $249.99 | No Longer Available |
| Sound | Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Transparency mode Adaptive EQ Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Transparency mode Adaptive EQ Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | None |
| Nickel-titanium alloy–reinforced ear hooks | Yes | Yes | Not Indicated |
| IPX4-rated sweat and water resistance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate Monitoring for Workouts | Yes | Yes | No |
| Compatibility (Apple) | Powered by the Apple H2 chip Fully compatible with Apple devices, with one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My (locate my Beats) | Powered by the Apple H2 chip Fully compatible with Apple devices, with one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My (locate my Beats) | Powered by the Apple H1 chip Fully compatible with Apple devices, with one-touch pairing, automatic switching, Audio Sharing, hands-free Siri and Find My (Locate my Beats) |
| Compatibility (Android) | Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, the heart rate monitoring feature, customizable controls, battery status widgets and Locate My Beats | Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, the heart rate monitoring feature, customizable controls, battery status widgets and Locate My Beats | Beats app for Android unlocks one-touch pairing, the heart rate monitoring feature, customizable controls, battery status widgets and Locate My Beats |
| Connectivity | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth® | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth® | Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth® |
| Voice Isolation | Reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice during calls | Reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice during calls | Not Indicated |
| Battery | Up to 45 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 10 hours of continuous bud playback Fast Fuel: a 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback Universal USB-C charging Works with Qi-compatible wireless chargers Rechargeable lithium‑ion battery | Up to 45 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 10 hours of continuous bud playback Fast Fuel: a 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback Universal USB-C charging Works with Qi-compatible wireless chargers Rechargeable lithium‑ion battery | Up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 9 hours of continuous bud playback Fast Fuel: a 5-minute charge provides up to 1.5 hours of playback |
| Controls | Single multi-function button per side Volume rockers (up/down) on each side Auto Play/Pause via optical sensors and motion accelerometers | Single multi-function button per side Volume rockers (up/down) on each side Auto Play/Pause via optical sensors and motion accelerometers | Physical volume and track controls on each earbud. Long- and short-range optical sensors drive automatic play/pause and call handling |
| Dimensions | Height: (case) 7.5 cm / 3.0 in (bud) 4.5 cm / 1.8 in Length: (case) 6.6 cm / 2.6 in (bud) 4.1 cm / 1.6 in Width: (case) 3.4 cm / 1.3 in (bud) 2.4 cm / 0.9 in | Height: (case) 7.5 cm / 3.0 in (bud) 4.5 cm / 1.8 in Length: (case) 6.6 cm / 2.6 in (bud) 4.1 cm / 1.6 in Width: (case) 3.4 cm / 1.3 in (bud) 2.4 cm / 0.9 in | |
| Weight | (case) 69 g (bud) 8.7 g (total) 77.7 g | (case) 69 g (bud) 8.7 g (total) 77.7 g | (case) 80g, (bud) 11g, (total) 102g |
| Color Options | Black & Volt | Jet Black, Quick Sand, Hyper Purple, Electric Orange | Black, Navy, Ivory, Moss |
| In the Box | Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition true wireless earbuds Silicone ear tips with five size options — XS, S, M, L, XL (medium pre-installed) Wireless charging case Quick Start Guide Warranty card (Power adaptor and USB-C charging cable sold separately) | Powerbeats Pro 2 true wireless earbuds Silicone ear tips with five size options — XS, S, M, L, XL (medium pre-installed) Wireless charging case Quick Start Guide Warranty card (Power adaptor and USB-C charging cable sold separately) | Powerbeats Pro true wireless earbuds Eartips with four size options Charging case Lightning to USB-A charging cable, Quick start guide (USB power adapter sold separately) |
The Bottom Line
The Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition does not reinvent the category, but it does not need to. What makes this release stand out is the combination of a proven fitness focused earbud platform with one of the most recognizable brands in sports. The design leans hard into that identity with Volt accents and Nike branding, but the real value remains the same: secure fit, long battery life, strong feature set, and the addition of heart rate monitoring that still is not standard across most competitors.
What is missing depends on your priorities. If you are deep into high resolution wireless audio, codec support is limited compared to some rivals, and there is no meaningful shift in sound tuning or hardware from the standard version. This is not an upgrade for existing Powerbeats Pro 2 owners, and it is not trying to be.
Who should consider them is pretty clear. If you want a stable, gym ready earbud with excellent battery life, seamless Apple integration, and a design that actually stays put during real workouts, this makes a lot of sense. The Nike tie in just sharpens the appeal for that audience. Everyone else can still enjoy the feature set, but this one knows exactly who it is for and does not pretend otherwise.
Pricing & Availability
The Powerbeats Pro 2 – Nike Special Edition is available in Black & Volt for $249.99 USD at Apple.com in the United States and other select markets.
If you prefer, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is available to order in four colors—Jet Black, Hyper Purple, Quick Sand, and Electric Orange—for $249.99 USD at Apple.com and Amazon
Related Reading:
- Beats Powerbeats Fit: Workout Wireless Earbuds That Won’t Fall Out
- AirPods Pro 3 Review: Better Features, Worse Sound — Apple’s Backward Step in Audio
- Cleer ARC 5 Open Fit Wireless Earbuds Arrive with THX Spatial Audio
- ASUS ROG Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Launch With Cross-Platform Support
