An Unbiased Beats Flex All-day Wireless Earphones Review

A few years ago, the American technological giant, Apple, purchased Beats by Dre, adding another fantastic product to its arsenal. However, with the AirPods and AirPods Pro taking center stage, many fans thought that the company might have forgotten about this recent acquisition. In January 2021, Apple released the new Beats Flex all-day wireless earphones, creating a stir in an already crowded market.

In this guide, I will review the product, assessing its build quality, sound, and features. Keep reading until the end, as I will also go over how you can clean your earbuds to improve their longevity.

Let's get started!

Beats Flex All-day Wireless Earphones Review

When it comes to price, the Beats Flex all-day wireless earphones remain undefeated.

Although it doesn't match the sound quality of the Apple AirPods Pro, this device offers many similar features at a fraction of the cost. It's a solid and reasonably priced pair of earbuds.

What I Like About the Beats Flex Wireless Earphones

Here are some of the things that I like about the Beats Flex wireless earphones:

• Affordable price
• Consistent and easy Beats Flex Bluetooth pairing
• Intuitive controls
• Auto play/pause

For the entire list of features or specifications, don't forget to read the Beats Flex wireless earphones manual.

What I Don't Like About the Beats Flex Wireless Earphone

Although the Beats Flex earbuds excel in many areas, making them cool desk accessories for guys, the company had to cut some corners to keep them affordable. This has resulted in the following trade-offs:

• Average audio quality
• Subpar microphone
• Lack of an IP or sweat-resistance rating

Using the Beats Flex Wireless Earphones

One of the major concerns for headphone users is weight. Fortunately, the Beats Flex is made from lightweight plastic, weighing just 18.6 grams. When worn, the buds feel airy and comfortable in the ears.

The Beats Flex earphones feature long, anti-tangle cables, so you don't have to worry about them twisting and forming knots in your pocket. In addition to that, the magnetic feature is a nice touch.

When you're done using the Beats Flex, you can snap the buds together, and they stay in place. The software detects this magnetic connection, pausing the audio instantly.

Music playback resumes immediately after you separate the two earbuds. Plus, the earphones also answer calls automatically when you detach them.

While this feature is less advanced than the integrated proximity sensors in the AirPods, I've found it incredibly useful. However, you can turn it off in your phone settings if you find it annoying.

Although the Beats Flex all-day wireless earphones offer a decent fit, they're not that great. Sure, they don't fall out when working out or running, but they feel like they're about to. Thankfully, the company provides a few extra pairs of ear tips that you can use to ensure a snug fit.

It's important to remember that the Beats Flex wireless earphones do not have an IP-resistant rating, which means that the device cannot sustain water damage during rain or when submerged underwater.

Beats Flex Isolation Performance

With many people working remotely, there has been a rise in the demand for products that help create a positive work environment. Beats Flex is one of the many work-from-home essentials that can make your professional life much easier.

From attending calls to listening to the news, participating in meetings, and more, these earbuds can help you stay connected without a jaw-dropping price tag. That said, they offer an average sound quality, which can be a huge deal breaker for some professionals.

The boosted bass response sounds overpowering. While it's great at blocking out high-frequency notes without isolating you from your surroundings, it can adversely impact your hearing if you use the earbuds for extended periods.

I found the upper mids on the Beats Flex wireless earphones to be enjoyable. The device boosts the volume of vocals in songs and podcasts, ensuring clarity and speech intelligibility. While it may not offer exceptional sound quality, it's quite decent for the price.

Beats Flex Microphone Testing Results

A great pair of headphones for professionals should offer excellent audio and a superior microphone. This ensures a smooth relay of information between different parties.

The Beats Flex has an average sound quality, but its microphone needs some improvement. While you can make quick calls or send voice messages to your fellow colleagues, Zoom meetings may require better hardware.

Since the Beats Flex does not have active noise canceling and does a poor job of reducing background noises, you may want to invest in something better. Read our guide on the best speaker microphone combo to elevate your work-from-home meetings.

Are the Beats Flex Earbud Tips Comfortable for the Users?

Some people prefer headphones over earbuds, as the latter often do not fit properly inside the ears. Due to its small price, I was skeptical about the comfort Beats Flex has to offer.

Although the device has a good build quality, the ear tips were really concerning upon further examination. I found them to be inferior, capable of ripping apart upon rough usage.

Fortunately, the company provides a wide range of silicone ear tips with every purchase, allowing you to customize the fit according to your needs.

Does the Beats Flex Offer a Strong and Stable Connection?

Since the Beats Flex has Bluetooth 5.0, it offers superior connectivity compared to its wireless counterparts.

In addition, the device supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, which can create some problems for the Android operating system.

During testing, I did face minor issues, but they weren't anything major, making the Beats Flex perfectly acceptable earphones at this price point.

How to Connect Beats Flex

After unboxing the device and switching it on for the first time, it will enter the Beats Flex Bluetooth pairing mode. You can connect with the earbuds through your phone's settings.

The connectivity process is simple if you're using the earphones for the first time. However, it can become complicated every time you use the earbuds, depending on your device's operating system.

Upon testing the Beats Flex, I found it particularly easy to connect with iOS devices since they all share the same W1 chip. However, switching to phones on other operating systems takes a lot of effort and time.

How to Connect Beats Flex with iOS Devices

Connecting to the Beats Flex is straightforward for iOS users. Once you switch the earbuds on, you'll receive a popup notification on your iPad or iPhone. Simply click on the "Connect" button to initiate a connection.

What's great about using the Beats Flex with Apple devices is that the earbuds come with a W1 chip, which allows you to pair with other compatible headphones. Your friends or loved ones can listen to what you're listening to without any additional connectivity.

How to Connect Beats Flex All-day Wireless Earphones with Android Devices

If you're using Android, you will need to hold the power button on the Beats Flex to enter pairing mode. Once the blue light starts flashing, go to your phone's settings menu and search for the device. Click on the "Connect" button to start using the earbuds.

While it is easy to link up with Apple devices since they're part of the same ecosystem, pairing with other operating systems can be a chore, and the time adds up pretty quickly.

Downloading the Beats app from the Google Play Store can make the entire process much more manageable. For additional information or help, refer to the Beats Flex wireless earphones manual.

How to Reset Beats Flex

In the previous section, I covered the Beats Flex Bluetooth pairing process. Sometimes, the earbuds may start acting up or fail to connect with your smartphone devices. If this happens to you, you should reset the earphones.

Here's how to do it:

• Hold down the power and volume buttons for 15 seconds.
• After the LED indicator starts flashing, release the two buttons.
• Your earphones have now been reset. Initiate Beats Flex Bluetooth pairing to connect with your preferred device.

How to Clean Your Beats Flex

Regularly cleaning your earbuds can increase their longevity. While you can read the Beats Flex wireless earphones manual for detailed cleaning instructions, here are a few steps that you should follow to give your device a quick clean:

1. Power off the wireless earbuds before the cleanup.
2. Start cleaning the earphones with a damp cloth. Dip the fabric into warm or soapy water or rubbing alcohol. Wring out the excess moisture before wiping down the earbuds. Make sure that the fluid doesn't get inside the device, as it can cause electrical issues, leading to damage.
3. Once you've thoroughly cleaned the earphones, use a microfiber cloth to dry them.
4. Remove the Beats Flex earbud tips and examine them for earwax, dust, and oil. If they require a deeper cleaning, you may need to invest in an inexpensive cleaning tool.

It is highly recommended that you clean your Beats Flex every two to three weeks. Drying your earbuds after sweaty or wet activities can also prolong their lifespan.

How to Use the Beats Flex Without Damaging Your Ears

Earbuds may make your life more interesting and enjoyable, but they also come with certain health risks that you should know about. Since these devices play music directly into your ears, they can cause damage to the inner lining and the delicate hair cells that detect vibrations.

Here are the top Beats Flex earbud tips that you should follow to help improve your listening experience:

• Since the earbuds come with multiple tips, you can change the silicone ends according to your needs to ensure a tight fit.
• Earbuds have "R" and "L" markings for each corresponding ear. Using them incorrectly can adversely impact sound quality.
• Experiment with different angles to create a better fit. Typically, positioning the buds so that they point towards the front of the user's head can create a tight seal.
• Using Beats Flex with dirty ears may lead to an infection. To ensure proper hygiene, clean the earbuds without Q-tips. Make sure to read a couple of expert guides for detailed instructions.
• Always listen to music that is safer for your ears. According to HealthPartners, keep listening volumes at 85 dB or lower, as levels greater than that can cause permanent damage.
• Give your ears some rest after prolonged usage. Taking breaks can allow your ear canals to air out, reducing the risk of infections.

Beats Flex Won't Turn Off. What Should You Do?

Some users have reported issues with their Beats Flex not turning off. According to Apple customer support, if you’re facing this problem, start by charging your earbuds for at least 30 minutes before troubleshooting.

To turn off Beats Flex, press the power button for one second. If you need to reset the device, hold down the power and volume down keys simultaneously until the LED indicator light flashes.

Are you still experiencing problems? Consider reaching out to Apple customer support for further assistance!

Are the Beats Flex All-day Wireless Earphones the Best Earbuds for Professionals?

Although the Beats Flex is one of the best office accessories for professionals with a work-from-home setup, it can fall short. Depending on your usage and job requirements, you may need to invest in a better alternative, as these earbuds may not always be the best choice.

Globalization has taken the world by storm, and many companies require their professionals to interact with people from other countries to close deals or conduct meetings to discuss bilateral relationships.

Language can be a huge barrier, but with the recent translator headphones, it doesn't have to be. They can allow you to communicate with others in this multilingual world.

Even if you're not communicating with foreign professionals who speak different languages, there may be better alternatives depending on your work needs. For example, investing in a speaker and microphone could offer comfort and excellent sound quality for longer Zoom meetings.

Final Thoughts: Should You Buy the Beats Flex All-day Wireless Earphones?

Whether you're a casual music or podcast listener, the Beats Flex is one of the best cool desk accessories. It offers great connection, long-lasting battery life, USB-C charging, and a reasonable price tag.

Sure, the earbuds have average sound and microphone quality, but for the money you're paying, it's worth forgiving all of these drawbacks.

While it is an improvement over the BeatsX, you may want to consider a decent pair of over-the-head headphones. Although they're bulky, the superior sound and microphone combination makes them a good option for professionals who work from home.

If you're a proud spectacle wearer, make sure to read our guide on how to wear headphones with glasses. It provides enough tips to ensure a comfortable experience.