Honestly, the tech world is obsessed with "true wireless" earbuds. Everyone wants to look like they’ve got tiny white plastic stems or expensive metal beans jammed in their ears. But there is a massive, quiet group of us who actually prefer a wire. Not a wire that plugs into your phone—nobody wants to go back to 2012—but a wire that connects the two buds and sits comfortably around your neck. That is exactly where the Beats Flex wireless earphones live.
They’re cheap. Well, cheap for Apple.
Usually retailing around $50 to $70, these are essentially the entry-level drug for the Apple ecosystem. They replaced the old BeatsX back in 2020, and surprisingly, they haven't been killed off yet. Why? Because they solve problems that the $250 AirPods Pro actually struggle with. If you’re the type of person who constantly loses one earbud under the couch or hates the feeling of a heavy case bulging in your pocket, these might be the best tech purchase you make this year.
The Neckband Isn't Dead (It’s Actually Better)
Most people assume neckbands are a relic of the past. They aren't.
The Flex-Form cable is made of nitinol, which is a nickel-titanium alloy. It’s got memory. You can wad these things up into a ball, shove them in a jacket pocket, and when you pull them out, they snap back into that gentle horseshoe shape. It’s clever engineering that feels like a fidget toy.
There is a specific kind of anxiety that comes with expensive wireless buds. You’re running for a bus, one falls out, and suddenly you’re playing a high-stakes game of "Find My" in a gutter. With Beats Flex wireless earphones, that just doesn't happen. If a bud slips out of your ear, it just dangles.
The magnets are the real hero here. When you aren't listening to music, the two earbuds snap together magnetically across your chest. This isn't just for cable management. It actually pauses your music. Pull them apart, put them in, and the music starts again. It’s a seamless bit of interaction that feels faster and more reliable than the ear-detection sensors on much more expensive headphones.
Apple Intelligence on a Budget
Don’t let the "Beats" branding fool you into thinking these are just for bass-heads who use Androids. Inside these things is the Apple W1 chip.
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While it’s not the newer H1 or H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro 2, the W1 still does the heavy lifting. You get that "magic" pairing where you just turn them on near your iPhone and a card pops up. One tap and you’re connected to every device in your iCloud account. Switching from your iPhone to your iPad or Mac is remarkably fluid.
What about Android users?
Actually, Beats is Apple’s olive branch to the Android world. While AirPods are famously "crippled" when used with a Samsung or Pixel—no firmware updates, no easy pairing, no battery stats—the Beats Flex wireless earphones have a dedicated app on the Google Play Store. Android users get one-touch pairing and battery levels just like iPhone users. It’s one of the few times Apple plays nice with others.
The Sound Profile: Is it still "Too Much Bass"?
The old reputation of Beats was that they sounded like a subwoofer had been shoved into a tin can. It was muddy. It was dark. It was, frankly, not great for anything other than mid-2000s hip hop.
Things have changed.
Since Apple took over, the acoustic tuning has become much more balanced. The Beats Flex use a proprietary layered driver with dual-chamber acoustics. In plain English? The bass is still punchy, but it doesn't bleed into the vocals. If you’re listening to a podcast, the voices sound crisp. If you’re listening to Random Access Memories by Daft Punk, you get that tight, rhythmic low end without losing the sparkle of the synths.
They don't have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Let’s be clear about that. If you're on a plane, you’re going to hear the engines. However, because they are in-ear buds with four different tip sizes included in the box, the passive isolation is surprisingly decent. If you get a good seal, you can block out most of the office chatter or the hum of a coffee shop.
Battery Life and the USB-C Revolution
One of the biggest selling points is the 12-hour battery life.
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Compared to the 5 or 6 hours you get on standard AirPods before needing to put them back in the case, 12 hours of continuous playback is a marathon. You can go through a full workday and a gym session without ever thinking about a charger.
And when you do need juice, they use USB-C.
This was a big deal when they launched because Apple was still clinging to the Lightning port for iPhones. It means you can use the same cable for your MacBook, your iPad, and your earphones. They also feature "Fast Fuel" charging. If you’re at 0% and realize you need to head out, a quick 10-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playback. It’s a lifesaver.
Where the Beats Flex Fail (The Honest Truth)
It’s not all sunshine. There are trade-offs when you pay $50.
First, the microphone is just okay. It’s located on the left side of the neckband. In a quiet room, it’s perfectly fine for Zoom calls or a quick catch-up with your mom. But if it’s windy outside? The person on the other end is going to hear a lot of whistling. The "wind-reduction" tech is minimal at best.
Second, there is no official IP rating for water or sweat resistance.
I know plenty of people who use these at the gym and they’ve survived for years. I've worn them in light rain. But technically, they aren't "sweat-proof." If you’re a heavy sweater or a long-distance runner who gets caught in downpours, you’re taking a bit of a gamble. Beats Powerbeats Pro are the "official" workout buds, but they cost three times as much.
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Third, the length of the cable can be a bit awkward for people with smaller necks. It can loop out a bit far, which looks a little dorky if you’re wearing a suit or formal wear.
The Longevity Factor
Tech products usually have a shelf life of about two years before the battery turns to junk.
The interesting thing about the Beats Flex wireless earphones is their durability. Because the battery is housed in the neckband modules rather than the tiny earbuds themselves, the cells tend to be a bit more robust. I’ve seen sets that are three years old still holding 10 hours of charge.
You also don't have to worry about the "case hinge" breaking or the charging pins in the bottom of a case getting gunked up with earwax and lint. It’s a simpler design. Simple usually means it lasts longer.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Beats Flex
If you just picked up a pair, don't just shove them in your ears and go. There are a few things you should do immediately to actually make them sound like they’re worth the money.
- Test every ear tip: This is the most common mistake. People use the ones that come pre-installed. If the seal isn't perfect, the bass disappears and they sound "tinny." Spend five minutes swapping them out.
- Update the firmware: If you’re on Android, download the Beats app. If you’re on iPhone, just leave them plugged into power near your phone overnight. Apple pushes updates that improve connection stability.
- Locate the controls: The power button is on the right module; the play/pause/volume is on the left. It takes about two days for the muscle memory to kick in.
- Use the magnetic pause: Get used to snapping them together when someone talks to you. It saves a massive amount of battery over the course of a week.
The Beats Flex are a rare example of a tech product that isn't trying to be "the future." They aren't trying to track your heart rate or translate languages in real-time. They are just a reliable, affordable way to get Apple's ecosystem benefits and decent sound into your ears without the "AirPod tax."
If you want something that works, stays around your neck, and doesn't cost a week's worth of groceries, these are still the best option on the shelf. They are functional, durable, and honestly, a bit of a bargain in a world of overpriced accessories.