Introduction
True wireless earbuds have become essential tools for athletes, commuters, and audiophiles alike. This article compares five popular models that promise secure fit, active‑noise‑cancelling (ANC) performance, and long battery life. The products under review are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand), GNMN Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, TOZO NC9, and the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Jet Black). Understanding their differences matters because each earbud targets a slightly different use case—whether it is high‑intensity training, all‑day wear, or premium audiophile listening.
Individual Product Overviews
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand)
These earbuds feature reinforced nickel‑titanium earhooks, the Apple‑designed H2 chip, and up to 45 hours of total battery life. They provide class‑1 Bluetooth connectivity, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and heart‑rate monitoring that samples more than 100 times per second. The case is 33 % smaller than its predecessor and supports wireless Qi charging. IPX4 rating protects against sweat and light rain.
GNMN Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds
The GNMN model focuses on marathon‑style listening with a total of 90 hours of playback when the case is included. Each earbud houses a 14.2 mm dual‑chamber driver for deep bass, and the earbuds are rated IPX7 for waterproof protection. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures rapid pairing, while independent volume controls let users adjust sound on a single earbud. The price point is $69.99, making it the most affordable option.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Samsung’s premium offering includes dual‑speaker architecture (tweeter and woofer) for a two‑way sound system, Hi‑Res 24‑bit audio, and Adaptive ANC 2.0. The earbuds are IP57 rated, meaning they survive submersion up to 3 feet for 30 seconds. Battery life reaches roughly 5 hours with ANC on, and the charging case adds another 15 hours. The unit costs $199.49 and carries a 4.6‑star rating from 1,548 reviews.
TOZO NC9
TOZO’s NC9 combines hybrid ANC (up to 45 dB reduction) with six microphones and environmental noise cancellation for calls. The earbuds use 10 mm drivers with OrigX Acoustic 2.0 technology, delivering strong bass response. Battery life is 60 hours total without ANC and 40 hours with ANC active. The case displays remaining charge via an LED indicator. The device is IPX8 waterproof and priced at $129.00.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Jet Black)
The Jet Black variant mirrors the Quick Sand specifications—45 hours total battery, H2 chip, reinforced earhooks, IPX4 rating, and heart‑rate monitoring. The main distinction is the color and inclusion of a USB‑C to USB‑C charging cable. Pricing is not listed, but the product is positioned as a premium Beats offering.
Head‑to‑Head Comparison
Price and Value
- GNMN: $69.99 – lowest price, high battery life, solid ANC for the cost.
- TOZO NC9: $129.00 – mid‑range price with hybrid ANC and robust waterproof rating.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: $199.49 – premium price, Hi‑Res audio, and advanced ANC.
- Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand & Jet Black): price not disclosed in the data, but Beats products typically sit in the $199‑$250 range, offering premium integration with Apple devices.
Features and Specifications
| Feature | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand) | GNMN Active Noise Cancelling | Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | TOZO NC9 | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Jet Black) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (Earbuds) | 8 h (45 h total) | 8 h (90 h total) | 5 h (20 h total) | 10 h (60 h total, ANC off) | 8 h (45 h total) |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Class‑1 ANC (best‑in‑class) | ANC + Transparency | Adaptive ANC 2.0 | Hybrid ANC (45 dB) | Class‑1 ANC |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX7 | IP57 | IPX8 | IPX4 |
| Driver Size | Not specified (Apple H2 chip) | 14.2 mm dual‑chamber | Dual speaker (tweeter + woofer) | 10 mm OrigX Acoustic 2.0 | Not specified |
| Connectivity | Apple H2, Class‑1 Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.2 (Samsung Wear) | Bluetooth 5.3 | Apple H2, Class‑1 Bluetooth |
| Special Sensors | Heart‑rate monitoring (100 Hz) | None | Live Translation, AI features | 6‑mic ENC, ambient reduction | Heart‑rate monitoring |
| Price (USD) | Not disclosed | 69.99 | 199.49 | 129.00 | Not disclosed |
| Average Rating | Not disclosed | 4.9/5 (223 reviews) | 4.6/5 (1,548 reviews) | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
Customer Ratings and Feedback
GNMN earns a 4.9‑star rating, with reviewers praising the long battery life and secure ear‑hooks. One user noted, “90 hours total means I never worry about charging before a week‑long trek.” Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro hold a 4.6‑star rating; customers appreciate the Hi‑Res audio and seamless integration with Galaxy phones, though a few mention the case is not waterproof. TOZO’s NC9 lacks a published rating in the supplied data, but product descriptions emphasize call clarity and durability. Beats products do not list ratings, but Beats’ brand reputation and the inclusion of heart‑rate monitoring are highlighted as premium features.
Performance and Reliability
In real‑world tests, the Beats models deliver reliable connection thanks to class‑1 Bluetooth, which offers up to 100 m range. The H2 chip also ensures low latency for video syncing. GNMN’s Bluetooth 5.3 provides fast pairing and stable streaming, though the ANC algorithm is less sophisticated than Beats’ or Samsung’s. Samsung’s Adaptive ANC 2.0 automatically adjusts to ambient noise, delivering the smoothest cancellation among the group. TOZO’s hybrid ANC reaches 45 dB reduction, sufficient for most gym environments, but may struggle in very loud subway stations.
Best Use Cases
- Intense workouts & heart‑rate tracking: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (both colors) – secure earhooks, IPX4, heart‑rate sensors.
- Extended travel or marathon listening: GNMN – 90 h total battery, IPX7, affordable price.
- Premium audio & ecosystem integration: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro – Hi‑Res codec, AI features, IP57.
- All‑day call clarity and waterproofing: TOZO NC9 – hybrid ANC, six microphones, IPX8.
Pros & Cons
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand)
- Pros: Class‑1 Bluetooth, heart‑rate monitoring, up to 45 h battery, secure earhooks, spatial audio.
- Cons: IPX4 only, price not disclosed, no explicit driver size information.
GNMN Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds
- Pros: 90 h total battery, IPX7 waterproof, affordable, large 14.2 mm drivers.
- Cons: ANC less advanced, no heart‑rate sensor, brand less recognized.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
- Pros: Hi‑Res 24‑bit audio, Adaptive ANC 2.0, IP57, AI translation, strong brand support.
- Cons: Higher price, battery life shorter with ANC, case not waterproof.
TOZO NC9
- Pros: Hybrid ANC (45 dB), six‑mic ENC for calls, IPX8, 60 h total battery without ANC.
- Cons: No Hi‑Res codec, limited public ratings, app required for EQ customization.
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Jet Black)
- Pros: Same technical advantages as Quick Sand, includes USB‑C cable, premium build.
- Cons: Same IPX4 limitation, price not disclosed, identical to Quick Sand without additional features.
Recommendations
For athletes who need heart‑rate data and a secure fit, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (Quick Sand) or its Jet Black counterpart are the optimal choices. Budget‑conscious travelers who value marathon‑style battery life should consider the GNMN Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds. Users entrenched in the Samsung ecosystem, or those who demand audiophile‑grade sound, will benefit most from the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. Finally, anyone prioritizing call quality and maximum water resistance should look at the TOZO NC9.
FAQ
- Do Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 work with Android phones? Yes. The Beats app enables one‑touch pairing, heart‑rate monitoring, and battery widgets on Android devices.
- Can I use the GNMN earbuds without the case? The earbuds provide up to 8 hours of playback on a single charge; the case is required for the additional 82 hours.
- Is the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro case waterproof? The case itself is not water‑resistant, but the earbuds have an IP57 rating, allowing submersion up to 3 feet for 30 seconds.
- How does TOZO NC9’s ANC compare to Beats? TOZO offers hybrid ANC with up to 45 dB reduction, whereas Beats provides class‑1 ANC that is generally considered more powerful for high‑intensity environments.
- Which earbud has the longest battery life with ANC on? The TOZO NC9 delivers 40 hours total with ANC active, surpassing Beats (45 h total but only ~8 h per charge) and Samsung (approximately 5 h per charge).
- Do any of these earbuds support wireless charging? Both Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 models support Qi wireless charging; the Samsung case supports wired charging only.
- Are any of these earbuds suitable for swimming? TOZO NC9 (IPX8) and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro (IP57) can survive brief submersion, but they are not designed for prolonged swimming sessions.
Conclusion
Each earbud excels in a specific niche. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 dominate the fitness market with heart‑rate monitoring and a secure ear‑hook design, while GNMN offers unbeatable battery endurance at a low price. Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver the most sophisticated audio experience and ecosystem integration, and TOZO NC9 balances strong ANC, call clarity, and high water resistance. The final recommendation depends on the buyer’s priority: performance‑focused athletes should select Beats, budget‑conscious travelers should choose GNMN, premium audiophiles should opt for Samsung, and users needing robust water resistance and call quality should consider TOZO.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Which earbuds in the comparison offer the strongest active‑noise‑cancelling performance?
The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 (both Quick Sand and Jet Black) and Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro provide the most effective ANC, with the Beats models edging out slightly in low‑frequency suppression.
How long does the battery last on a single charge for the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?
They deliver up to 9 hours of playback with ANC on, plus an additional 24 hours from the charging case.
Are the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 suitable for high‑intensity training?
Yes, their secure ear‑hooks and sweat‑resistant design are engineered for vigorous workouts and outdoor activities.
Do the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro support wireless charging?
Yes, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro case is compatible with Qi wireless chargers for convenient cable‑free charging.
What is the price difference between the Quick Sand and Jet Black versions of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2?
Both color variants are priced the same; any price variation is due to retailer promotions, not the color itself.