Over-Ear
Apple Beats Flex
72Good
$70
Full review dataApple Beats Flex vs ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3): which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) - Great overall at around $60.
Over-Ear
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
82Great
$60
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Apple Beats Flex
Sound6.5
Battery7.0
Value8.0
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
Sound8.0
Battery7.0
Calls6.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Flex | ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $70 | $60 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | 2017 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver size | 8.2 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz - 20,000Hz |
| Impedance | - | 48 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | none |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Wireless range | - | 9.1 m |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 15 h |
| Full charge time | 10 min | - |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1.5 h | - |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | No | No |
| Controls | buttons | - |
| Voice assistant | supported | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 18.6 g | 380 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | - |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 1 | 1 |
What reviewers said
Apple Beats Flex
The Beats Flex are a budget-friendly neckband-style wireless earphone that emphasizes bass-heavy sound and easy Apple device pairing. They provide around 12 hours of playback with a quick charge feature, but lack water resistance, active noise cancellation, and premium codec support. Overall, they deliver solid value for casual listeners who prioritize convenience and punchy audio over balanced tuning.
- Pro:Affordable price with strong value
- Pro:Reliable 12-hour battery life with fast charge
- Pro:Simple pairing and controls for Apple users
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning with recessed treble
- Con:No water or sweat resistance
- Con:Limited codec support (only SBC and AAC)
ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3)
The ASTRO Gaming A50 (Gen 3) is a premium wireless headset designed for immersive gaming, delivering crisp virtual surround sound and a comfortable over-ear fit. Its standout feature is the convenient charging base, which also acts as a hub for connectivity, though the detachable microphone and software experience are less impressive than the hardware itself.
- Pro:Immersive virtual 7.1 surround sound
- Pro:Comfortable for long gaming sessions
- Pro:Convenient charging base and dock
- Con:Microphone quality is only average
- Con:Companion software is clunky
- Con:No Bluetooth or multipoint support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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