True wireless earbuds from brands like Apple and Samsung can cost $200 or more. Fortunately, there are some great budget options available for under $100. Two of the top contenders in this price range are the Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2.
Beats is an audio brand owned by Apple that offers the Flex as their most affordable wireless earbuds. OnePlus is a Chinese smartphone manufacturer that has been expanding into audio products like earbuds. Their Bullets Wireless Z2 is the second generation of their popular neckband-style wireless earbuds.
But which one delivers the better overall experience? Read on as we compare the Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 in depth across a variety of factors.
| Specs | Beats Flex | OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Neckband, angled in-ear | Decent, with some looseness |
| Comfort | Very good with a secure fit | Very good with secure fit |
| Controls | Physical buttons | Touch gestures |
| Features | Basic controls only | Gaming mode, Quick Pair, Find My Buds |
| Sound Quality | Bass-heavy, lively | Balanced, clear mids/highs |
| Battery Life | 12 hours | 30 hours |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 with multipoint |
| Noise Cancellation | None | None, AI Call Noise Cancellation |
| Water Resistance | Yes, Limited Water and Sweat Resistance | Yes, IP55 |
Design and Comfort
The Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 have quite different designs, which will appeal to different users.
Beats Flex
The Beats Flex features an all-plastic design with an angled in-ear fit. The earbuds are tethered together by a flexible neckband cable. There are no ear hooks or fins to stabilize the fit. The neckband does have some flex and memory wire to allow you to bend it for comfort.
A small inline remote houses the playback controls, volume buttons, and USB-C charging port. The Beats Flex comes in four color options: Beats Black, Yuzu Yellow, Smoke Gray, and Flame Blue.
See the winner between Sennheiser CX 150BT and Beats Flex.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2
Unlike the Beats Flex, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 has a more traditional wireless earbud design with separate earbuds not connected by a neckband. The earbuds feature an oblong, half-in-ear design with silicone tips and fins to stabilize the fit.
The earbuds magnetically attach to each other for storage when not in use. A short cable connects the two earbuds behind the neck. You can control music, calls, and volume using touch gestures on each earbud. A USB-C port on the bottom of one earbud is used for charging.
The Bullets Wireless Z2 comes in Obsidian Black or Pearl White color options. Optional silicone accessory bands in various colors can be purchased to customize the look.
Comfort and Stability
For comfort and stability, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 tends to have an advantage. The ear fins do a great job securing the earbuds in place during activity and exercise. The angled half-in-ear design is also lightweight and comfortable for long listening sessions.
The Beats Flex can feel a bit flimsy and loose, without any ear hooks or fins to keep them anchored in your ears. Those with smaller ears may have trouble getting a secure fit. However, the flexible neckband is comfortable and some may prefer the around-ear fit.
So for active use, the Bullets Wireless Z2 is the safer choice. But for casual listening, the Beats Flex can work well for many users.
Features and Controls
When it comes to features, the Beats Flex and OnePlus Buds Z2 take different approaches. Let’s look at what each one offers.
Beats Flex
The Beats Flex keeps things simple, with basic playback and volume controls and no advanced features. The inline remote has buttons to play/pause music, skip tracks, adjust volume, answer/end calls, and activate Siri or Google Assistant.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2
The Bullets Wireless Z2 have a few more tricks up their sleeve. Each earbud is touch-sensitive, allowing you to tap and swipe to control music playback, calls, and volume.
The earbuds also support Quick Pair, for instant Bluetooth pairing with OnePlus phones. A low-latency Pro Gaming mode reduces lag when gaming.
Sound Quality
When choosing earbuds, sound quality is often the most important factor. How do these budget models stack up?
Beats Flex
The Beats Flex produces a lively, bass-forward sound in the signature Beats style. Low frequencies are emphasized for thumping, powerful bass. The midrange takes a bit of a backseat, but the sound is still fairly balanced overall with present mids and highs.
Detail and clarity are decent but not class-leading. At louder volumes, the bass can sound boomy and overwhelm the mix. The Flex play to the fun, impactful sound that Beats is known for. Just don’t expect audiophile-level fidelity.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2
OnePlus tuned the Bullets Wireless Z2 for a more balanced sound profile. The bass is still boosted but not as intensely as on the Beats Flex. The mids and highs are more present in the mix for a fuller, more even sound.
Overall detail and clarity are good for the price. The sound has a nice texture and avoids sounding too muddy or boomy. Those who listen to a variety of music genres may prefer the more neutral tuning of the Bullets Wireless Z2.
Both earbuds can deliver satisfying sound quality for the money. But the OnePlus option provides a more balanced and nuanced listening experience overall.
Battery Life and Connectivity
Battery life and wireless connectivity are two important considerations for wireless earbuds. Here is how the Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 compare in these areas:
Battery Life
The Beats Flex is rated for up to 12 hours of playback on a charge. Real-world battery life is consistently around 10-11 hours with moderate volume levels.
The Bullets Wireless Z2 delivers around 30 hours of listening time.
Both models come with fast charging support. The Beats Flex gives 1.5 hours of playtime from a 10-minute charge, while the Bullets Wireless Z2 gets 20 hours from 10 minutes of charging.
Connectivity
In terms of wireless connectivity, the Bullets Wireless Z2 has a slight edge. They use Bluetooth 5.2 compared to 5.0 on the Beats Flex. Bluetooth range is excellent at around 50 feet through walls.
Multipoint pairing allows connecting to two devices simultaneously. The Bullets Wireless Z2 also has better latency, which is beneficial for watching videos and gaming.
The Beats Flex isn’t too far behind on connectivity, but the newer Bluetooth version and multipoint pairing give the OnePlus earbuds an advantage. Both pairs deliver reliable wireless performance overall though.
Noise Cancellation
Neither the Beats Flex nor the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 have active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. For budget earbuds under $100, ANC is still a premium feature not commonly included.
The Bullets Wireless Z2 does feature a semi-open-ear design that lets in some ambient sound. The Beats Flex provides more passive noise isolation with its sealed in-ear fit. But you won’t get the same noise-canceling abilities as more expensive ANC earbuds.
If noise cancellation is a must-have, you will need to look at pricier models. But both of these options work well for use in moderately loud environments. The Bullets Wireless Z2 let in a bit more ambient sound which some users may prefer.
Durability
In terms of durability, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 seems to have a leg up over the Beats Flex:
- The Bullets Wireless Z2 have an IP55 rating, making them sweat and water-resistant. They can handle rain, sweat, and the occasional splash.
- The earbuds and case feel well-built and solidly constructed out of durable plastic.
- OnePlus includes a silicone cover for the charging case for extra protection.
- The neckband design helps avoid cable strain that can lead to damage.
- The Beats Flex seems a bit more fragile in comparison.
- They lack any official water resistance rating. Exposing them to moisture could be risky.
- The all-plastic construction feels a bit flimsy and cheap.
- The neckband cable is prone to kinking or fraying over time.
- The thin charging case offers limited protection when not in use.
Over time, the more rugged Bullets Wireless Z2 are likely to hold up better to regular use and abuse. The Beats Flex require a bit more care and caution to maintain their longevity. So the OnePlus earbuds win out on durability.
The Verdict: OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 Are the Better Buy
When comparing all factors – design, features, sound quality, battery life, and value – the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 come out ahead of the Beats Flex.
The OnePlus earbuds offer better stability and fit for active use, extra features like gaming mode and Quick Pair, more balanced audio, longer battery life, and slightly better connectivity. While costing a little more more, the Bullets Wireless Z2 delivers a more well-rounded experience that justifies the higher price tag.
That’s not to say the Beats Flex is a bad purchase. If found on sale, they can be amazing wireless earbuds for the money. Their punchy sound and flashy Beats style appeal to many. But at MSRP, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 edge them out as the better buy.
OnePlus took the formula of their popular first-gen Bullets Wireless earbuds and meaningfully improved it with the Bullets Wireless Z2. For budget-conscious shoppers wanting quality wireless audio, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 should be at the top of their list.
Conclusion
The Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 prove you don’t need to spend a fortune on wireless earbuds. These sub-$100 models make quality wireless audio attainable for budget buyers. However, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 outperforms the Beats Flex across design, features, sound, and value. Their well-rounded performance for the money make the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 our top recommendation for affordable wireless earbuds.
There is also a specific headphones category dedicated to only in-ear headphones including Beats Flex and OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2.
FAQs
Is OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 worth buying?
Yes, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 is definitely worth buying. They deliver great wireless sound, reliable connectivity, long battery life, and useful features not often found on budget earbuds. The Z2 model improves on the already solid original Bullets Wireless with better design, audio, and battery life. For the money, the Bullets Wireless Z2 is hard to beat.
Does OnePlus bullets Z2 have noise cancellation?
No, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 does not have active noise cancellation (ANC). As budget earbuds under $100/£100, they lack more premium features like ANC. However, their semi-open-ear design does let in some AI ambient noise passively. But there is no hybrid or active noise-canceling technology. If ANC is a must-have, you’ll need to look at more expensive wireless earbud models.