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Flossy Carter
Beats Flex - The Best $49 Earphones?
Early hands-on
ProductFinda™ note: Actual timed video finding independently checked.
368.2K views on YouTube · 15:16Open original on YouTube
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Wireless Earbuds
Beats Flex
Beats Flex
Announced October 2020, on sale since October 2020.
Beats Flex is a wireless neckband pair with magnetic pause, Apple W1 pairing and a manufacturer rating of up to 12 hours. In first-weeks tests, CNET and 9to5Mac both see the magnets pause music, though 9to5Mac notices a delay; their sound and microphone verdicts diverge. After more than a year, Shopper’s Sidekick still likes the soft tips but finds the neck cable long. Compare dated retailer cards, Apple’s exact guide and local warranty terms before buying.
First published 27 Sep 2026
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Evidence summary
What the reviewers found
Where reviews agree
Recurring strengths and trade-offs
The joined earbuds pause playback
In first-weeks tests, CNET and 9to5Mac both observe playback pausing when the magnetic earbuds meet. 9to5Mac hears a roughly half-second to one-second delay before it stops; this is one reviewer’s timing impression, not a measured specification.
- CNET
- 9to5Mac
The soft tips and neck cable can suit long wear
In his first-weeks test, CNET finds the lightweight earbuds comfortable. After more than a year of use, Shopper’s Sidekick still finds the soft tips comfortable for her small, sensitive ears and likes keeping the earbuds around her neck; she also finds the cable longer than she wants.
- CNET
- Shopper's Sidekick
Where experiences differ
What depends on needs and context
First-weeks sound impressions vary
In first-weeks listening, CNET hears a smoother, more balanced sound than BeatsX, though less bass than Powerbeats Pro. 9to5Mac instead hears dull, tinny mids and highs with weak low end. Eddie Moon’s enthusiastic comparison with his remembered BeatsX sound is explicitly a first listen. Their tracks and listening contexts differ.
- CNET
- 9to5Mac
- Eddie Moon
Early microphone tests point in different directions
In first-weeks tests, CNET reports clear calls and useful noise reduction outdoors, whereas 9to5Mac dislikes the sound of his outdoor microphone recording. Eddie Moon likes his own recorded sample and compares it with AirPods. These are different devices, locations and recordings, not a controlled call-quality measurement.
- CNET
- 9to5Mac
- Eddie Moon
Decision checks
Before you buy
A cable is included and an adapter is not
Beats includes a USB-C to USB-C charging cable and four ear-tip sizes, but no power adapter. Its up-to-12-hour battery figure is a manufacturer rating; actual listening time varies with use.
Compare the dated retailer cards
The retailer cards link to exact Beats Flex product pages in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Prices and local stock can change, so check the selected colour, condition, seller and final total at checkout.
Check the one-year warranty and local rights
Apple’s limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year from original retail purchase. It excludes accidents and normal battery wear. Consumer-law rights in each market remain separate and may add protection.
Use the exact Beats Flex guide
Apple’s Beats Flex guide explains pairing, magnetic playback, charging, controls and care. The product is not specified with an IP water-resistance rating; Tech Spurt also notes that absence in his first-weeks review. Do not treat a reviewer’s successful rain use as waterproof certification.
Checked claims
The details that matter
Product specifications
- Driver type
- Custom layered drivers in a proprietary acoustic platformBeats describes a two-piece driver. Diameter in millimetres is not stated.
- Claimed battery life
- Up to 12 hours of playback from a full charge.Beats support page. Claimed listening time, not a reviewed month of use.
- Active noise cancellation
- NoTech Spurt says there is no noise cancellation on Beats Flex.
- Weight
- 18.6 gProduct page also lists height 16 mm.
- Charging
- USB-C. A cable is included. A power adapter is not.Beats says the USB-C cable is included and a power adapter is not.
- Connectivity
- Class 1 Bluetooth with the Apple W1 chip. One-touch pairing on iOS, Audio Sharing, and Find My. Android pairing through the Beats app or the Bluetooth menu.The product page does not state a Bluetooth version number.
- Microphones
- YesBeats lists a built-in microphone with wind reduction.
- Colours
- Flame blue, Beats black, yuzu yellow, and smoke gray.Flossy Carter names these four colours in his review.
In everyday life
Product gallery
Product facts
A few more answers
Answers are shown only when their source links are retained.
Where can I compare Beats Flex buying options?
Use the dated retailer cards for exact Beats Flex product links in your market. Verify the colour, seller, condition, stock and final price at checkout.
How long does Beats say the battery lasts?
Beats rates Flex for up to 12 hours from a full charge. It says a 10-minute Fast Fuel charge can provide 1.5 hours of listening when the battery is low; both are manufacturer claims, and actual time varies.
Does Beats Flex have noise cancellation?
Beats Flex does not have active noise cancellation. Tech Spurt explicitly notes its absence in his first-weeks review. Eddie Moon describes a quiet-feeling in-ear seal on his first listen; that is passive isolation, not ANC.
Is Beats Flex waterproof?
Beats Flex has no specified IP water-resistance rating. Tech Spurt points this out in his first-weeks review; his own rain experience does not establish protection from water or sweat.
Which colours can you buy?
Beats lists Flame Blue, Beats Black, Smoke Gray and Yuzu Yellow on its product page. Availability of each finish depends on the retailer and market.
What warranty applies in these markets?
Apple’s regional limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for one year from original retail purchase. Accidents and normal battery wear are excluded; local statutory rights remain separate.
Where is the Beats Flex user guide?
Apple’s exact Beats Flex guide covers setup, controls, charging, playback and care.
After you buy
Owning it
Warranty by country
United States
Limited warranty covers hardware defects in materials and workmanship for 12 months.
Excludes accidental damage, normal depletion of consumable parts.
Source · checked 26 Sept 2026
Manuals and support
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