Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds
By Beats · Noise-Cancelling Headphones · Audio & Electronics
- 12 hours listening time
- 10-minute charge gives about 1.5 hours
- 18.6 g set weight
- Class 1 Bluetooth
- 4 ear tip sizes
Lowest price seen
~$69.99 (approx.)
from $69.99 at Amazon
- Amazon ~$69.99 (approx.)View at Amazon
- BeatsView at Beats
- eBay (used) eBay: used, open-box, refurbishedView at eBay (used)
- eBayView at eBay
- NeweggView at Newegg
Prices are snapshots. Check the current price with the store.
Summary
A $50 neckband-style wireless earbud with Apple’s W1 chip, 12-hour battery and USB-C charging, built for budget-conscious iOS users who don’t mind a cable. Check the lack of water resistance before you buy if you plan to exercise in them.
Strengths
- Apple W1 chip gives instant pairing with iOS devices and easy device switching.
- 12-hour rated battery life, up from 8 hours on the predecessor BeatsX.
- Magnetic earbuds snap together to pause audio and resume when pulled apart.
- Strong microphone quality for calls, close to AirPods performance.
- USB-C charging with Fast Fuel quick-charge.
- Lightweight at 0.66 ounces for a neckband design.
Weaknesses
- No water or sweat resistance rating, risky for exercise or rain.
- Neckband cable design feels outdated in the true wireless era.
- No carrying pouch included, unlike the predecessor BeatsX.
- No wing tips or fins for secure fit during vigorous activity.
- No charging adapter in box; you need a separate USB-C adapter.
- Music sound quality is bass-forward but flat compared to some competitors; better suited for podcasts and video.
Verified specifications
| Battery life (rated) | 12 hours. |
|---|---|
| Fast charging | 10-minute charge gives 1.5 hours of playback (Fast Fuel). |
| Weight | 0.66 ounces (approximately 18.6 g). |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0, Class 1 (up to 300 feet range). |
| Chip | Apple W1. |
| Driver size | 8.2 mm. |
| Codecs | AAC, SBC (no aptX). |
| Water/sweat resistance | No IP rating. |
| Charging port | USB-C. |
| Ear tips | Four sizes included. |
| Colors | Black, Flame Blue, Smoke Gray, Yuzu Yellow. |
| In-box accessories | USB-C cable, quick start guide, warranty card, four ear tip sets; no charging adapter or carrying pouch. |
Full research notes and sources
Sound and call quality
The Beats Flex delivers a bass-forward signature with sculpted highs and clean vocals. PCMag found no distortion at high volumes on bass-heavy tracks. CNET called the sound an improvement over both BeatsX and standard AirPods. Tom’s Guide noted that music performance “could be better” and that the buds excel more with podcasts and video content. Some hissing or distortion was noted on older recordings at certain frequencies.
Call quality is a strength. The upgraded microphone with wind noise reduction delivers clear voice pickup, and CNET found it close to AirPods performance for calls. Both Siri and Google Assistant work reliably through the inline microphone.
Battery and charging
Battery life is rated at 12 hours, a meaningful improvement over the 8-hour predecessor BeatsX. USB-C charging with Fast Fuel means a 10-minute charge gives 1.5 hours of playback. No charging adapter is included in the box, so you need a separate USB-C adapter. The USB-C port is uncovered with no flap, which may be a long-term durability concern for the charging connector.
Fit and comfort
Four pairs of silicone ear tips in various sizes are included, providing a variety of fits for different ear shapes. The noise-isolating in-ear fit provides passive noise blocking when a proper seal is achieved. However, there are no wing tips or fins for locking the buds in during vigorous exercise. Comfort was described as “moderate” — the inner casing may add slight pressure to the concha during extended wear beyond two hours.
Is it worth it?
At $50 or below, the Beats Flex is strong value for iOS users who want reliable wireless audio without spending $150 or more on AirPods. The W1 integration alone — instant pairing, device switching, audio sharing — provides ecosystem value that is hard to match at this price from non-Apple alternatives. Above $75, the neckband design and lack of IP rating become harder to justify, as true wireless alternatives with water resistance and carrying cases become available.
Which model this is
This page covers the Beats Flex All-Day Wireless Earphones with Apple W1 chip, USB-C charging and magnetic auto-pause/resume. Don’t confuse it with the BeatsX predecessor, Powerbeats Pro, or AirPods.
The US Amazon listing is ASIN B08L6ZYW21.
The reviews were done at a $49.99 US MSRP; the Beats by Dre product page lists $69.99.
Sources
Manufacturer:
Independent reviews: