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1 / 11@sharp_meadow_53 · Photo-verified
Owned 6–12 months · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
The plastic is not that good and they don't have good quality control, mine came dead on arrival the first time I bought them.
@sharp_osprey_16 · Owner-reported
Owned 1–6 months · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
The plastic cracks within less than two months, long enough for warranty to go out, but short enough that you haven't gotten much out of it.
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Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying · About 2 minutes · No account needed · Photo optional
Apple took the spare parts bin and made one heck of a pair of earbuds.
A 2.9 puts its noise isolation in the bottom quarter of wireless earbuds we've measured.
Measured on 132 of the 259 we've cataloged.
0 of 2 would buy again. 1 of 2 still use it daily, 1 sometimes.
Owned 1–6 months to 6–12 months.
above average for wireless earbuds — based on 241 of 259 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 4.9 |
| 25 | 5.1 |
| 32 | 5.3 |
| 40 | 5.1 |
| 50 | 4.7 |
| 63 | 4.1 |
| 80 | 3.0 |
| 100 | 1.2 |
| 125 | -0.5 |
| 160 | -2.3 |
| 200 | -3.9 |
| 250 | -4.5 |
| 315 | -4.1 |
| 400 | -5.3 |
| 500 | -5.6 |
| 630 | -4.3 |
| 800 | -2.6 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 1.8 |
| 1600 | 3.9 |
| 2000 | 6.0 |
| 2500 | 7.0 |
| 3150 | 2.0 |
| 4000 | 3.7 |
| 5000 | -1.7 |
| 6300 | -15.6 |
| 8000 | -7.6 |
| 10000 | -4.3 |
| 12500 | -9.9 |
| 16000 | -8.0 |
| 20000 | -29.7 |
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 3.5 |
| 26 | -6.3 |
| 33 | 0.3 |
| 41 | 0.1 |
| 52 | 0.1 |
| 65 | 0.1 |
| 82 | 0.0 |
| 103 | -0.2 |
| 130 | -0.2 |
| 163 | -0.2 |
| 205 | -0.3 |
| 259 | -0.0 |
| 325 | -0.6 |
| 410 | -0.6 |
| 516 | 2.5 |
| 613 | 1.5 |
| 772 | 5.3 |
| 972 | 8.6 |
| 1220 | 11.6 |
| 1540 | 14.6 |
| 1940 | 18.9 |
| 2440 | 23.1 |
| 3070 | 20.9 |
| 3870 | 19.2 |
| 4870 | 19.7 |
| 6130 | 24.7 |
| 7720 | 25.3 |
| 9720 | 26.5 |
| 12200 | 31.8 |
| 15400 | 25.8 |
| 19400 | 26.7 |
The verdict
For the price, you can't beat the Beats Flex. This headset offers a lot of the cool features that the AirPods do but at a cheaper price. While it lacks in sound quality and the microphone could be better, this is a solid pair of inexpensive wireless earbuds.
✓Liked: Price, Consistent connection strength, Intuitive controls, Earbuds snap together
✕Could be better: Sound quality, Microphone isn't great, No official IP rating or sweat-resistance
What readers who own the Beats Flex report after living with it. Owner-reported, checked before publishing; ordered photo-verified first, then newest.
Owner notes are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not edited by us. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from notes.
2 owner notes
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · A moderator saw a photo of this reader’s unit and it matched the product. Proof of possession, not purchase — and the photo was deleted after the check. Read more · Owned 6–12 months · Still using it: sometimes · Posted
Would not buy againThe plastic is not that good and they don't have good quality control, mine came dead on arrival the first time I bought them.
Every author writes under a generated pseudonym. A signed-in author’s email is never shown. Read more · The reader says they own it. We have not seen proof, and we say so — no label here is proof of a purchase. Read more · Owned 1–6 months · Still using it: yes, daily · Posted
Would not buy againThe plastic cracks within less than two months, long enough for warranty to go out, but short enough that you haven't gotten much out of it.
Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorBeats is dead. It just doesn't know it yet.Once the pulse of the headphone world, Beats is starting to flatline.Adam BirneyManaging EditorThe truth about lossless audio on Bluetooth speakers. It’s pointless.Spoiler alert: your mono beach speaker isn’t built for critical listening.
Dave CarrVideo Producer/WriterHow long should your earbuds last? Our battery tests have the answerEarbuds don't last long, but how much is enough?
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Battery in real life — better than expected
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Noise cancelling in the real world — worse than expected
