Wireless earbuds have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing users to enjoy their audio on the go without the hassle of wires. Two of the top contenders in the wireless earbuds market are the Beats Flex and the Powerbeats Pro from Beats by Dre. But how do these two models compare, and which one is better for your needs? This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between the Beats Flex and Powerbeats Pro to help you decide.
Beats Flex vs Powerbeats Pro: Overview and Design
The Beats Flex and Powerbeats Pro have distinct designs that cater to different priorities and use cases.
The Beats Flex features an in-ear design with soft silicone ear tips that insert into the ear canal. The lightweight earbuds are connected by a flexible neckband cable that allows you to wear them comfortably around your neck when not in use. The Beats Flex has an understated design available in black or yellow color options.
In contrast, the Powerbeats Pro features a true wireless design with no cables whatsoever. Each earbud independently connects via Bluetooth. The Powerbeats Pro has an over-ear hook design that securely wraps around the ear for a stable fit during workouts and other physical activities. The Powerbeats Pro comes in black, ivory, moss, and navy colors. Wondering about Beats Fit Pro Vs JBL Reflect Flow Pro?
Overall, the Beats Flex prioritizes affordability and flexibility, while the Powerbeats Pro offers a premium true wireless experience geared for exercise and active lifestyles.
Powerbeats Pro Vs Beats Flex: Sound Quality
When it comes to audio performance, the Powerbeats Pro delivers a slight edge over the Beats Flex.
The Powerbeats Pro features 12mm dynamic drivers that produce powerful, balanced sound with emphasized bass. An optimized driver housing and new acoustic design mean these earbuds can deliver exceptional clarity across the frequency range. According to most reviews, the sound quality of the Powerbeats Pro competes with far more expensive earbuds from premium brands.
The Beats Flex also pumps out great sound, especially for the price. Their custom drivers and tuned acoustic chambers provide rich bass, crisp highs, and good stereo separation. While audio is not as immersive or dynamic as the Powerbeats Pro, the Beats Flex still impresses for in-ear headphones under $100.
So for those wanting truly exceptional wireless sound, the Powerbeats Pro is the better choice. But the Beats Flex hold their own for more budget-conscious buyers.
Beats Flex vs Powerbeats Pro: Noise Isolation
With their in-ear design, the Beats Flex does a better job blocking out ambient noise compared to the Powerbeats Pro.
The Beats Flex’s silicone ear tips insert snugly into the ear canal, providing passive noise reduction that helps minimize distractions. While not at the level of active noise canceling, the Beats Flex muffle external sounds reasonably well.
Since the Powerbeats Pro sit outside the ear canal, they allow more environmental noise to seep in. You’ll hear more of your surroundings when walking down the street, riding public transit, etc. But the Powerbeats Pro still provides decent noise isolation that reduces distractions without fully cutting you off.
So if you want earbuds to use in very noisy environments, the noise-blocking advantage goes to the Beats Flex. But the Powerbeats Pro offers enough isolation for most scenarios.
Powerbeats Pro Vs Beats Flex: Battery Life and Charging Case
Battery performance is another area where the Powerbeats Pro shines over the Beats Flex.
The Powerbeats Pro lasts up to 9 hours per charge, with 24+ hours of total listening time provided by the charging case. This is excellent battery life that can power you through multi-day use between charges. The case charges via Lightning or wireless charging.
The Beats Flex manages about 12 hours of total battery life, including about 4.5 hours per charge on the earbuds themselves. This allows for all-day use, but heavy listeners may need to top up more frequently. The Beats Flex case charges via USB-C.
For battery efficiency, the Powerbeats Pro easily outlasts the Beats Flex. But both models still offer solid battery life that meets most users’ needs.
Beats Flex vs Powerbeats Pro: Controls and Calling
The Powerbeats Pro offers more seamless controls compared to the Beats Flex.
Each Powerbeats Pro earbud has volume and playback controls, so you can adjust audio, take calls, and activate Siri or Google Assistant without reaching for your phone. The controls are intuitive and responsive.
Since the Beats Flex has a neckband design, controls are consolidated onto the right earbud. You can play/pause, skip tracks, adjust the volume, and take calls. But having all controls on one side can feel a bit unbalanced.
For calling, both models have beamforming microphones that home in on and amplify your voice while minimizing external noise. According to user reviews, call quality is excellent on both the Powerbeats Pro and Beats Flex.
So the Powerbeats Pro offers a more elegant approach to controls that feels seamless. But the Beats Flex still handles call and playback adjustments perfectly fine.
Powerbeats Pro Vs Beats Flex: Connectivity
The Powerbeats Pro and Beats Flex both leverage Apple’s industry-leading H1 chip to enable smooth, seamless Bluetooth connectivity.
Pairing is a breeze with either model – open the case near an iOS device and tap Connect when prompted. The H1 chip allows nearly instant pairing and greatly minimizes lag or audio sync issues during video or gaming.
Both earbuds support hands-free “Hey Siri” voice commands when paired to an iOS device. This allows you to change songs, adjust the volume, make calls, or get directions without ever touching your phone.
The Powerbeats Pro and Beats Flex maintain connections up to 30+ feet from your device. Bluetooth 5.0 ensures stability even in busy wireless environments.
Overall, it’s a wash when it comes to wireless performance. Both deliver rock-solid connectivity thanks to Apple’s engineering.
Beats Flex vs Powerbeats Pro: Workout Performance
If you want wireless earbuds primarily for workouts and running, the Powerbeats Pro is easily the better pick.
The over-ear hooks on the Powerbeats Pro keep the earbuds totally secure during any physical activity. You don’t have to worry about them falling out mid-workout. The Powerbeats Pro also have an IPX4 water resistance rating, making them sweat and splashproof.
While the Beats Flex will stay in place reasonably well for lighter workouts, the lack of ear hooks means they may slowly loosen and dislodge during intense training. The Beats Flex only have IPX2 water resistance, so they’re more vulnerable to sweat damage over time.
Clearly, the Powerbeats Pro is engineered to handle even the most strenuous workouts. They are the top wireless earbuds for fitness and sports.
Powerbeats Pro Vs Beats Flex: Price
Lastly, price plays a major role in deciding between the Beats Flex and Powerbeats Pro.
The Beats Flex is quite affordable for a pair of Beats earbuds. This makes them a great entry-level option if you want Beats sound quality on a budget.
Meanwhile, the Powerbeats Pro costs about 4 times more than the Beats Flex. While not cheap, this price is justified by the premium sound, design, and features. The Powerbeats Pro competes with far more expensive earbuds when it comes to performance per dollar.
Here is a breakdown of the key differences between the Beats Flex and Powerbeats Pro:
| Specs | Beats Flex | Powerbeats Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Design | In-ear with neckband | True wireless earbuds |
| Battery Life | 12 hrs total | 24+ hrs total |
| Water Resistance | IPX2 | IPX4 |
| Controls | On right earbud | On both earbuds |
| Noise Isolation | Good | Moderate |
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
So which is better the Beats Flex and Powerbeats Pro? Here are some quick recommendations based on usage:
- For tight budgets, get the Beats Flex.
- For workouts and active lifestyles, get the Powerbeats Pro. Their sporty design keeps them secure no matter how intense your training is.
- For commuting and noisy environments, the noise isolation of the Beats Flex makes them a better pick.
- For premium features and sound, get the Powerbeats Pro. They compete with far more expensive earbuds.
- For calls and seamless controls, the Powerbeats Pro shine. But the Beats Flex handles calls and playback adjustment just fine.
Overall, the Powerbeats Pro beat out the Beats Flex in terms of performance and features. But the Beats Flex provides surprisingly great value at a fraction