Beats Flex Review: Best Budget Buds

Basically, the app gives you all the features and settings otherwise baked into iOS (on iOS, you don’t have to download any app, all the settings are already in the Bluetooth menu). That might be a problem if you own an iPhone since they use the Lightning port. That’s primarily due to the neckband, which adds to the weight and can start pulling on earbuds.

Sure, there’s probably a couple of milliseconds of delay, but it’s hardly perceptible by a human eye. Beats Flex rely entirely on passive noise isolation to block out external noise, so it has to be good. Also, the wire rubbing against your shirt doesn’t produce much beats flex review cable noise during calls, which is excellent. That means you don’t get an inferior user experience if you aren’t in the Apple ecosystem, like with the AirPods headphones. Beats Flex have a total of 2 control modules and a lot of space to store a bigger battery.

You’ll find him covering everything from smartphones and home computers to 3D printers and headphones. Those are still mighty impressive numbers and it means that you’ll comfortably be able to fo a full day without needing to recharge them, or more likely several days to a full week with moderate usage. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. That said, there’s plenty to like at the Beats Flex and that low price makes them sound seriously appealing. We’d also say that they don’t feel as premium as the more expensive Powerbeats but you are paying almost half the price for the Flex so it’s harsh to fault the overall build quality too much.

When you do run out of battery, which will be days later, you can charge up about an hour-and-a-half worth of playback in just 10 minutes using the included USB-C cable and Beats Flex Fast Fuel charging. Both Beats Flex and Beats X look extremely similar, with the two earbuds connected via a long cord, intended to snake around the back of your neck. It’s not a heavy design, but it does feel a bit strange walking around with a necklace comprised of an unwieldy nickel and titanium cable. I’ve had a bit of time to test out the $500 Anker 535, and it delivers a handy set of connectivity options for charging up a… As an everyday ‌AirPods Pro‌ user, one thing about Beats Flex that took some getting used to was the cables dangling from my ears. They put a little bit of pressure on the ears, and with the seal in the ears, any sounds from the cord brushing against my shirt or the side of my face were transmitted directly into my ears.

Another big feather in the Beats Flex’s cap is the quality of the materials and the overall design. Apple sent us the “Yuzu Yellow” model for testing, and while the coloration is pleasingly subdued , I’m just as impressed by the build quality and intuitive control placement. Then pinching them and dapping a tiny bit of super glue to keep the fusion point connected worked like magic. One thing to mention, reset and firmware update couldn’t help at all. On the contrary, Studio 3 is more comfortable and came with an audio cable to use when wired.

Because these are just so cheap, you can’t expect them to sound amazing. They hardly compare to their more expensive Beats counterparts. The sound focuses on the high-end and low end while ignoring the mids, which can make some tracks sound a little empty. Because they sit inside your ear canal, they do isolate noise well though which means you can focus on the music without any distractions. Speaking of weird, because the wire is stiff, I found myself fiddling with the buds way more than necessary.

While you can use them via Bluetooth on PCs, their latency is likely too high to be recommended for gaming. We purchase our own headphones and put them under the same test bench, so that you can compare the results easily. Shop your favorite products and we’ll find the best deal with a single click. The in-line microphone was moved down the cord on the left side.

beats flex review

When the rumors began to swirl that Apple was going to stop including a set of wired earbuds in the box with the iPhone 12, we should’ve seen this coming. The day of Apple’s event, the company’s audio subsidiary Beats announced a set of cheap wireless earbuds that give users a low-cost option. At $50, the Beats Flex covers the basics with a smattering of on-board controls, a different take on automatic pausing and AirPods-quality quick pairing. Unfortunately, features aren’t everything, and there’s one key element the Flex doesn’t do well. While 12 hours of battery life sounds a lot for true wireless earbuds under $50, it’s pretty average for neckband wireless earbuds.

They’re great for the price if you’re looking for everyday headphones that sound good and last through workouts. The only big catch we found is the headband design can be awkward. Stay connected to the world you love beats flex review with all-day wireless Beats Flex earphones. In your ears or around your neck, they’re as versatile as the life you lead. With up 12 hours of battery life1, you’ll always be ready for whatever the day may bring.

Plus, they’re designed for workouts, so you don’t have to worry about mucking these up. One downside is they only last for six hours on a charge. On Android, you’ll need to download the Beats app from the Google Play Store. Once installed, you’ll have access to quick pairing, battery levels and any firmware updates that may come along in the future. What you can’t do on either iOS or Android is adjust the EQ or customize the on-board controls.