Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
I’ve spent enough time switching between the best Android phones to know that wireless earbuds don’t always behave the same way once you try doing anything beyond basic music listening. Some earbuds will connect instantly and stay that way; others need companion apps, extra permissions, or software workarounds to unlock full functionality. Basically, it’s a toss-up. It’s why the Pixel Buds have usually been my reliable choice, mostly for being the exception to this. They’re made by Google, tuned to perform consistently well with Android, and generally behave as expected. But being the default doesn’t necessarily make them the best.
The Pixel Buds are great, but being the default doesn't make them the best.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, odd as it might seem, it’s not rare to find Android users choosing AirPods as their Bluetooth earbuds of choice. Honestly, it’s easy to see why. They’re familiar and sound good enough. The AirPods have built a reputation for consistency and carry a level of brand cachet that alternatives often don’t. They’re a known commodity, a safe option, and that counts for a lot in a market full of competitors that promise the moon. But that doesn’t mean they are an ideal choice for Android users either. AirPods paired to Android phones will stream music just fine, but without Apple’s deeper ecosystem support, they lose much of what makes them special. That’s what makes the new Beats Powerbeats Fit so compelling. They deliver much of what makes AirPods popular — clear sound, reliable connectivity, excellent active noise cancellation — but without any of the ecosystem lock-in. And as someone who has spent years using Google’s earbuds, I didn’t expect Apple’s side brand to make something that fits so comfortably into my Android-first life. If you’ve been deciding between the Pixel Buds Pro and AirPods 3, these deserve a serious look. They bring together what both do well while fixing many of the issues both brands have ignored. I’ve been using the Beats Powerbeats Fit for over a month now as my everyday pair of earphones, and they’ve become an easy recommendation for more than a few reasons. Here’s why.
Do you use AirPods with an Android phone? 4 votes Yes, they're my go-to. 0 % No, but I've considered them. 0 % No and I've not considered them. 100 %
Locked in, all day long
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Fit makes or breaks any pair of earbuds, and that’s where the Powerbeats Fit immediately pull ahead for obvious reasons. As fitness-forward earphones, these are designed to stay locked into your ears. The flexible wingtip design might look like it’s aimed at runners, but it turns out to be just as useful for anyone who wants a secure, all-day fit. Those small fins sit comfortably against the ear, creating a natural anchor point that keeps the earbuds steady without pressing too hard. Honestly, they’re barely noticeable after a few seconds. I’ve worn the Powerbeats Fit through long workdays, cross-country flights, and while running marathons. The added stability makes a big difference outside the gym too. I’ve taken calls while walking through busy streets. I’ve even put them through rain-drenched training sessions without worrying about them slipping, something my previous favorites, the Pixel Buds 2a, absolutely failed at. The fact of the matter is that I can move freely without the constant urge to readjust them every few minutes. The Pixel Buds Pro and Buds 2a are good, but they just don’t inspire that same level of confidence. Moreover, as a chronic insomniac, I need white noise to fall asleep. So as another data point, I even wore the Powerbeats Fit while falling asleep with white noise playing. The earbuds stayed comfortably in my ears throughout the night. In fact, these are the first pair of earphones that haven’t fallen out for me. That’s a big win in my book.
Between the comfort and almost–AirPods 3-grade noise cancellation, the Powerbeats Fit slot perfectly into daily life.
Noise isolation also benefits from that tighter seal. Even before turning on active noise cancellation, much of the outside world fades into the background. Switch on ANC, and the difference is immediate, of course. Between my writing career as a journalist and running my small business, I tend to have long days, and earbuds with a solid focus music playlist occupy a big part of it. I can wear the Powerbeats Fit through long editing sessions or on crowded flights without feeling the kind of ear fatigue that often comes from aggressive ANC. Between the comfort and almost-AirPods 3-grade noise cancellation, I’m astonished at how well these earbuds slot in for everyday use. As I write this, I’ve got an excavator working on a construction site across the street from my study, but the Powerbeats Fit are doing an incredible job of keeping the noise down to a bare minimum. This might sound like me hyping up a basic essential for a pair of earbuds, but it matters in daily life. Moreover, it’s a testament to how few earbuds actually get this right.
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