Beats has produced well over a dozen sets of headphones from the wired Beats EP to the new Beats Studio Buds. If you’re interested in wireless earbuds with a neckband, Beats Flex vs. BeatsX are two great options to consider. Telling them apart is challenging from a distance, but there are key differences in several areas, including battery life, audio quality, and price.
Beats Flex vs BeatsX: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Beats Flex | BeatsX | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | October 14, 2020 | February 10, 2017 |
| Style | Wireless with Band | Wireless with Band |
| Battery Life | 6-8 hours | 10-11 hours |
| Active Noise Cancellation | No | No |
| Discontinued | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 1-year | 1-year |
BEATS Flex
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Beats
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Easy control on the strap
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Beats Flex vs. BeatsX: What’s the Difference?
These headphones are nearly identical, which requires users to dig deep to find the differences between Beats Flex vs. BeatsX. Design is still important, but the focus should be on battery life and audio quality with these neckband headphones.
Design and Comfort
- Up to 12 hours of listening time
- All-day comfort with Flex-Form cable and four ear tip options
- Powered by the Apple W1 headphone chip for seamless connectivity
- Magnetic earbuds with Auto-Play/Pause
As an incremental upgrade, the design didn’t change much between the Beasts X and Beats Flex headphones. Both have neckbands that let you dangle the earbuds around your neck when not in use, and you’ll find the company’s logo on each of the earbuds.
The cables seem a little thicker on the older model, although there’s only a gram or so difference in weight. Colors vary by model, including limited-release editions, which are harder to find with the BeatsX headphones.
Comfort is a little harder to judge considering everyone’s ears take to earbuds differently, although consumers found both sets comfortable. You’ll get four sets of types with each model, but the Beast X also has a pair of wing tips.
Audio Quality
The Beats Flex and the BeatsX are considered mid-range to entry-level headphones. That means you won’t get the same type of audio quality that you’ll find on earbuds from Bose or even Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. There is a difference between these models, however, and you might be surprised by the results.
Beats headphones generally have more bass than earbuds or on-ear headphones from other manufacturers. That’s true with the BeatsX and Beats Flex, although the Flex has more thump. They are great for certain genres, including hip-hop, but you may find vocals overpowered and instrumentals muted with the extra bass.
By comparison, the BeatsX headphones provide a more balanced sound profile. They are suitable for a wider range of music, but still have more bass than your typical pair of earbuds.
Treble is underwhelming on both models, although the accuracy is respectable. The microphone is also better on the BeatsX if you plan on using the headphones for calls.
Simply put, if you like bass and don’t listen to instrumentals, you’ll appreciate the Beats Flex. Alternatively, the BeatsX headphones provide a more balanced experience for people that enjoy different genres.
Battery Life
- Renewed products look and work like new. These pre-owned products have been inspected and tested by Amazon-qualified suppliers, which typically perform a full diagnostic test, replacement of any defective parts, and a thorough cleaning process. Packaging and accessories may be generic.
- Perfect wireless companion for you to experience authentic, clear sound throughout your day with up to 8 hours of battery life.
- Take calls, control your music and activate Siri withRemoteTalk.
- Variety of eartip options offer personalized comfort and secure-fit wingtips provide stability.
Battery life and recharging times have increased substantially in recent years. It’s not uncommon to find wireless devices that can go for more than 12 hours per charge, although that shrinks with certain styles and features. The Beats Flex and BeatsX earbuds were only released a few years apart, but there’s a big difference in battery life.
Beats says you’ll get around 8 hours of battery life from the BeatsX. We found that the time is actually closer to 6-7 hours, which is just short of a workday for many. That’s better than the Beats Studio Buds, but they have ANC with better audio quality and are bandless.
The newer Beats Flex fairs better at 10-11 hours on a single charge. Depending on your listening habits and volume levels, that’s close to double the BeatsX. Both headphones charge quickly through Fast Fuel, which can add hours to the earbuds with a short charge.
The Beats Flex win when it comes to battery life, even if both pairs of headphones have fast charging. The BeatsX handle that through a Lighting port, so it charges up faster compared to the Beats Flex with their USB-C port.
Price and Availability
Beats Flex headphones have only been out for a few years, and are still listed on the company’s official site and product pages. That means they are still in active production at this time, so they are easier to acquire in any color you choose.
If you’re interested in BeatsX headphones, you’ll have a hard time finding new models due to their age. You may find sellers with old stock on eBay, but sites like Amazon typically only have refurbished or “renewed” versions of the BeatsX.
You may think that BeatsX would be cheaper, but that isn’t the case. We found that used models cost as much as or more than Beats Flex headphones for many colorways.
Beats Flex vs BeatsX: What’s the Same?
Beats Flex and BeatsX headphones both have magnetic earbuds. This helps keep that neckband tidy, and they each have in-line controls as well. The microphone is located on the control pod, which allows users to adjust the volume on the fly.
The headphones are easy to use, although there is a dual module on the Flex compared to the single one on the BeatsX. The design and weight are also nearly identical. Both feature fast charging, come with multiple ear tips, and will work with Android or iOS devices.
The build quality is comparable, although we think the Flex has a slight advantage as it’s newer. Original and current pricing is also similar, even if you’ll have a hard time tracking down a new pair of BeatsX headphones.
Beats Flex vs BeatsX: 4 Must-Know Facts
- BeatsX headphones were initially supposed to be released in the fall of 2016.
- Beats Flex were introduced with a lower price point than Beats Flex MSRP.
- Apple and Beats used the Beats Flex to replace the BeatsX and UrBeats headphones.
- Beats Flex launched in Yuzu Yellow and Beats Black.
Beats Flex vs BeatsX: Which One Is Better?
In many cases, whenever a company launches a new version of a product, the newer option is the better choice. That’s the case with Beats Flex vs BeatsX, as you’re getting more bang for your buck with the newer model.
BeatsX headphones do have a better microphone by most accounts, but that’s really the only advantage; aside from the carrying case. They are harder to find than Beats Flex and also have shorter battery life. Unless you find BeatsX at a considerable discount, Beats Flex headphones are the best choice.
