With wireless earbuds now dominating the personal audio market, Beats has options for every budget. The question arises how about Beats Flex Vs Beats Fit Pro. The affordable Beats Flex delivers signature Beats sound at an entry-level price point. But how does it compare to the more advanced Beats Fit Pro?
This comprehensive comparison examines all the key differences between these popular Beats models. Read on to see which earbuds are the better choice for your needs and budget.
| Specs | Beats Flex | Beats Fit Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Neckband | Excellent with a secure fit |
| Eartips Included | 4 sizes | 3 sizes + wings for stability |
| Comfort | Very good | Excellent, rich, and balanced |
| Audio Driver | 12mm dynamic driver | Custom driver |
| Sound Quality | Good, bass-heavy | Excellent, rich and balanced |
| Supported Codecs | AAC | AAC, aptX Adaptive |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 hrs continuous playback | Up to 6 hrs playback + 24 hrs with case |
| Quick Charging | Fast Fuel (10 mins = 1.5 hrs playback) | Yes, 5 mins = 1 hr playback |
| Noise Cancellation | No ANC | Active ANC with Transparency Mode |
| Sweat/Water Resistance | Good for workouts | IPX4 rating |
| Onboard Controls | Physical buttons | Force sensors + tap gestures |
| Extra Features | Audio sharing, ear detect sensors | Audio sharing, ear detection sensors |
| Voice Assistant | “Hey Siri” voice activation | “Hey Siri” hands-free |
Overview of Beats’ Budget and Premium Earbuds
Beats have become one of the biggest players in the wireless earbud space. They offer models ranging from budget-friendly to premium feature-packed options.
The Beats Flex represents Beats’ most affordable wireless earbuds, launched in 2020 for around $50. They utilize a flexible neckband design housing the battery and controls. 12mm dynamic drivers deliver punchy bass and crisp treble.
The Beats Fit Pro sits at the higher end as Beats’ top true wireless earbuds. Released in 2021 for about $200, they pack advanced features like active noise cancellation into a sleek earbud form factor. A new custom driver design provides robust, balanced sound.
Check which is better between Beats Flex and Anker Soundcore Life U2.
Beats Flex Vs Beats Fit Pro: Design and Fit
The overall design language differs quite a bit between these two Beats earbud models. As mentioned, the Beats Flex uses a neckband style while the Beats Fit Pro goes wire-free.
Beats Flex Design
The Flex neckband is made of a flexible plastic material that wraps behind your neck when worn. The 12mm drivers are housed in angled earbud pods attached to each end of the band. Four ear tip sizes are included for a secure in-ear fit.
The lightweight, low-profile design stays comfortable even during long listening sessions. The neckband helps keep the earbuds stable during activity. Integrated controls, battery, and antenna are built into the band.
Beats Fit Pro Design
As true wireless earbuds, the Beats Fit Pro doesn’t have a neckband. The buds themselves contain the batteries, microphones, antenna, and other electronics.
The earbuds feature an all-new wingtip and ear tip design optimized for fit and stability. Three sizes of both wings and tips are included to customize the fit for your ears. The angled nozzles and flexible wings lock the buds in place.
A pocketable charging case provides extra battery power and storage when not in use. LEDs display the charging status.
Comfort and Stability Comparison
Both Beats models remain lightweight and comfortable for extended listening. The Flex neckband is great for all-day wear and helps keep the buds stable during activity.
But the innovative wingtip design of the Beats Fit Pro makes them the most secure Beats earbuds yet. Once you find the right fit, they won’t budge during workouts or runs. The lack of any wires also avoids neckband bounce.
For fit, stability, and all-around wearability, the Beats Fit Pro earns the edge. But the Beats Flex design still impresses relative to its affordable price point.
Beats Fit Pro Vs Beats Flex: Sound Quality and Performance
With both earbuds carrying the Beats sound signature, you can expect punchy, amplified bass and crisp treble. However, differences in the driver technology and hardware allow the premium Beats Fit Pro to deliver more robust, high-fidelity audio.
Beats Flex Sound Quality
The 12mm dynamic drivers powering the Beats Flex produce the brand’s famous bass-heavy sound. Low frequencies have plenty of thump and impact. The mids are slightly recessed but present. And the highs come through with clarity to balance out the mix.
At moderate volumes, the sound has a nice kick. But distortion can creep in at higher listening levels as the drivers reach their limit. The overall sound quality is very solid for budget wireless earbuds.
Beats Fit Pro Sound
The Beats Fit Pro introduces an all-new driver design not found on any other Beats model. The proprietary dynamic driver is paired with a two-chamber acoustic architecture.
This results in an incredibly rich, balanced sound that rivals over-ear headphones. The bass hits deep yet maintains its punchiness. Mids and highs are crystal clear even at max volume. And the soundstage has an open, spacious quality.
Add computational audio for tuning audio to your ears, and the Fit Pro delivers the best sound yet from Beats.
Connectivity and Codec Support
In terms of wireless connectivity, both earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5.0 for solid pairing and range. This allows lag-free video streaming and gaming.
For audio codecs, the Beats Flex is limited to AAC support. The Fit Pro adds aptX for higher-quality streaming, especially on Android.
So while connectivity is reliable on both, the Fit Pro once again provides enhanced performance.
Battery Life
Battery life is one area where the Beats Flex maintains an advantage. The integrated battery in the neckband provides up to 12 hours of continuous playback on a charge.
The smaller batteries inside the Beats Fit Pro earbuds themselves allow for about 6 hours of listening time. However, the charging case carries an additional 2 charges for over 20 extra hours. So total battery life is still very solid.
Quick Charging
Both Beats models provide quick charging capabilities to maximize uptime. The Beats Flex offers Fast Fuel charging for 1.5 hours of playtime from a 10-minute USB-C top-up.
The Beats Fit Pro also recharges quickly, providing 1 hour of playback from just 5 minutes in the case. So you can get a quick boost before heading out.
Performance Summary
Overall, the premium Beats Fit Pro earbuds outperform the budget-friendly Beats Flex in terms of audio quality, codec support, and battery life from the case. But the Flex still delivers very solid performance and value at its affordable price point.
Noise Cancellation and Audio Controls
Active noise cancellation has become an expected feature on premium wireless earbuds. This is a key area where the Beats Fit Pro separates itself from the entry-level Beats Flex.
Noise Cancellation
The Beats Fit Pro features powerful feedforward/feedback hybrid ANC. Internal and external microphones work together to block out external noise across the frequency spectrum.
You can really hear the difference in loud environments like commutes or air travel. Music and calls come through clearly without distraction.
Meanwhile, the Beats Flex lacks any form of active or passive noise cancellation technology. They rely solely on the in-ear seal for noise isolation. So the Fit Pro is far superior for noisy situations.
Audio Controls
For controlling music, calls, volume, and more, both Beats models utilize onboard buttons. But their approaches differ significantly.
The Beats Flex keeps it simple with physical buttons on each earbud. One button controls playback, and the other handles volume and summoning voice assistants.
The Beats Fit Pro introduces force sensors on the buds for a more seamless experience. Tapping the side controls music and calls while squeezing invokes Siri or Google Assistant. There are no physical buttons to press.
This allows for a more intuitive control scheme. And the Beats Fit Pro adds the ability to toggle between ANC and transparency modes – not possible on the Beats Flex.
So the Beats Fit Pro once again provides a more advanced control experience. But the Beats Flex retains a familiar tactile button interface.
Additional Features and Use Cases
Beyond the core functionality, Beats packs extra features into both these wireless earbud models. But the premium Fit Pro includes some additional capabilities suited to its higher price point.
Beats Flex Features
Despite its budget-friendly price, the Beats Flex still offers some handy features:
- Auto Play/Pause – Audio automatically stops when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back in.
- Audio Sharing – You can pair a second set of Beats headphones to the Flex to share the same audio stream.
- Ear Tip Sensors – Optical and motion sensors optimize sound quality and battery life based on earbud fit.
Beats Fit Pro Features
The Beats Fit Pro takes things to the next level with advanced features including:
- Spatial Audio with Head Tracking – Provides a surround sound experience that adjusts audio as you turn your head.
- In-Ear Detection – Music pauses when you remove an earbud and resumes automatically when you put it back in.
- Wind Noise Reduction – Minimizes wind noise on calls using inward and outward-facing mics.
- “Hey Siri” Hands-Free – Activate
Controls
For onboard controls, both Beats models keep things convenient yet simple.
The Beats Flex has tactile buttons on each earbud. You can play/pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer calls, and activate Siri or Google Assistant. The mic for calls is built into the right side of the neckband.
The Beats Fit Pro adds force sensors on the earbud stems. Squeeze gestures let you control music, calls, and volume, and enable transparency mode. You also get hands-free “Hey Siri” support.
Summary of Key Differences
To recap the main differences between these popular Beats earbuds:
- Design – Beats Flex has a neckband while the Beats Fit Pro are true wireless buds.
- Sound Quality – Fit Pro delivers more robust, high-fidelity audio.
- Noise Cancellation – Fit Pro has powerful ANC, Flex has none.
- Extra Features – Fit Pro adds spatial audio, in-ear detection, etc.
- Battery Life – Flex offers longer continuous playback.
- Price – Fit Pro costs about 4x more than the budget-friendly Flex.
Now let’s compare some pros and cons of each model.
Beats Flex Pros:
- Affordable price under $50
- Flexible secure fit
- Punchy bass-heavy sound
- 12+ hours of battery life
- Audio sharing with another Flex user
Beats Flex Cons:
- Lacks noise cancellation
- Limited codec support
- Not true wireless design
- Sound can distort at high volumes
Beats Fit Pro Pros:
- Secure comfortable fit
- Robust, high-fidelity audio
- Powerful active noise cancellation
- Wireless charging case
- Spatial audio and other premium features
Beats Fit Pro Cons:
- Expensive at around $200
- Only 6 hours of continuous playback
- Battery life shorter than Flex
Which Beats Earbuds Should You Buy?
Now that we’ve compared the Beats Flex and Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds in-depth, which model is better for you?
Here are some quick recommendations based on priority:
- Seeking Beats sound on a budget? Go with Beats Flex.
- Want maximum stability for workouts? Choose Beats Fit Pro.
- Need noise cancellation? Get the Fit Pro.
- Prioritize long battery life? Pick the Flex.
Both deliver the Beats experience but cater to different needs. The affordable Beats Flex brings signature sound to the masses. Serious listeners who want premium features will love the Beats Fit Pro.
All related information can be found on HeadphonesTalk with categories especially related to Beats Flex and Beats Fit Pro where every information is given.
Hopefully, this detailed comparison gives you the info needed to decide which Beats earbuds fit your lifestyle. For more wireless headphone recommendations, check out My Website and our other comparisons like Beats Flex vs Sony WI-XB400.
FAQs
Are Beats Flex good for working out?
Yes, the Beats Flex are good wireless earbuds for working out. The flexible secure fit and sweat resistance make them suitable for fitness. However, the Beats Fit Pro has a more stable fit during intense activity.
How is the call quality on Beats Flex?
The call quality on the Beats Flex is decent but not exceptional. The built-in mics pick up your voice clearly in quiet areas but can struggle in noisy environments. The Fit Pro produces better call clarity.
Do Beats Fit Pro fall out easily?
No, the innovative ear-wing tip design on the Beats Fit Pro locks them securely in your ears so they rarely fall out once you find the right fit.
Can you swim with Beats Flex or Fit Pro?
No, neither the Beats Flex nor Beats Fit Pro are fully waterproof for swimming. Both are sweat and splash resistant though. Consider a waterproof option from another brand if you need headphones to swim with.