When the meeting is over, all I have to do is tap the play button on my iPhone and the Beats Flex will reconnect to the iPhone so I can continue to listen to music. The most convenient feature of Beats Flex is the magnetic buds that clip together so the earbuds hang around your neck like a lanyard. It’s actually my favorite way to keep my earphones nearby when I’m not wearing them. I don’t have to take them out of my bag or stick them in my pocket. They’re just dangling there, waiting for me to use whenever I want them.
In some loud situations, like when someone is mowing the lawn or when you’re on a plane, the outside noise bleed may make it difficult to hear some types of audio, like podcasts. If you’re not worried about getting the most advanced music experience, the audio quality for podcasts, FaceTime or Zoom calls, audiobooks, and other talking related activities is perfect. Whether you’re listening to DaBaby or Tom Petty, everything sounds clear. If you just need something inexpensive that plays music, Beats Flex fills the role. Sound quality is where Beats Flex loses a lot of points, in my book.
The company is offering a low-cost option for anyone who’s looking for wireless earbuds and doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. Especially those people who are looking for something to replace the Earpods that Apple no longer gives them for free with a new iPhone. Plus, Beats managed to pack features like quick pairing that go beyond the basic on-board controls. And it included great battery life to just round out a solid features list. But even at $50, you have to be willing to make some sacrifices — mostly in the audio department. At the end of the day, the Beats Flex works well, and sounds okay enough to be just fine for a lot of people.
We’re also big fans of the range of understated, matte color options on offer. The most bothersome thing I encountered with the controls was turning the buds on. There’s no “powered on” sound, so you have to hold the button for a couple of seconds and hope they turn on. There is, however, a connected tone, so at least you’ll know when they connect. There’s just a weird disconnect between turning them on and waiting for them to connect where it’s not clear if they’re actually on. Now that more of us are working from home and going to school remotely, a good pair of earbuds or headphones is invaluable.
The advanced digital processors finetune the audio for a perfect and heartwarming listening experience. Moreover, they come up with four different sizes of eartips to help you get the best comfortable fit. Built-in microphone with wind reduction for elevated voice clarity. That’s not to say your entire high-end is missing, but simply that the Flex lack some of the sparkle you’ll get from slightly more generous drivers.
There was lots of exciting news this week following the Nintendo Direct Mini on Tuesday. Several games are slated for this fall and there are even rumors that some older games could be seeing remakes and remasters on Switch soon. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The Beats Flex are well-built with durable materials and connections.
That control handles play/pause , skipping tracks forward , returning to the previous song and summoning your virtual assistant . Because these are all physical buttons, they’re reliable and easy to use. Even when you have to double- or triple-press, the Flex receives each beats flex review command without issue. Also on the left side is the microphone for calls, just above the multi-function button. The Beats Flex looks a lot like its pricier predecessor, the $150 BeatsX. They’re still behind-the neck wireless earbuds — or as I like to call them, neckbuds.
The simplicity and low price are what makes the Flex so appealing in the first place, though. They’re a great upgrade from the normal wired earbuds that ship with many phones, like the standard EarPods that used to come with iPhones. If you’re still using an old set of wired buds, this is the best upgrade path for you (assuming you’re not willing to drop at least double the price on a set of true wireless buds, of course). They sound pretty good, are incredibly comfortable, and last about 12 hours on average. The Flex-Form cable provides all-day comfort with durable Nitinol construction while four eartip options offer a personalized fit.