Another key difference between these headphones, however, is the different charging protocols. The SoundSport Wireless still relies on micro-USB charging, whereas the Powerbeats 4 use Apple’s proprietary Lightning cable, and while this will prove to be a slight nuisance to anyone not already in the Apple ecosystem, it does provide much faster charging, allowing you to top off your headphones much faster. They each have multifunction buttons on the cable that keeps the headphones tethered to each other, allowing you to control media playback, as well as accept incoming calls. Both come packaged with a variety of eartips to ensure a snug fit but rely on different designs to make sure they don’t fly out of your ears when going for a brisk jog. The Bose earbuds use small hooks on the ear tips to keep them seated in your ears, whereas the Powerbeats have around the back earhook design, which feels slightly more secure. Both headphones also feature an IPX4 resistance rating, allowing either pair to withstand even the sweatiest workouts, just don’t let them stay submerged in water (or anything else for that matter). Both of these earbuds are available in a trio of inoffensive colors, the Bose Soundsport is available in blue, white, or black, and the Powerbeats in black, white, or red. They each also come packaged with their own convenient carrying case.
