Neckband
Beats Flex
67Good
$70
Full review dataBeats Flex vs Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Beats Flex comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 67. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Beats Flex - Good overall at around $70.
Neckband
Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
36Weak
$110
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Beats Flex leads on 4 of 6 measures.
- Beats Flex
- Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
HearWiki score
67
36
Sound
6.3
7.8
Battery
6.4
3.8
Calls
5.7
7.3
Value
6.7
-
Price (USD)
$70
$110
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
New platform
Both shipped in 2020. The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.2 against 1.0, Top codec aptX Adaptive against AAC and ANC type Adaptive against None. It also adds Water resistance (IPX4).
- Flex2020
- Blue BYRD2020
What differsFlexBlue BYRD
- Bluetooth
- 1.0
- 5.2
- Top codec
- AAC
- aptX Adaptive
- ANC type
- None
- Adaptive
- Water resistance
- Not rated
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C.
Specifications
FlexBlue BYRD
- Type
- Neckband
- Neckband
- Price (USD)
- $70
- $110
- HearWiki score
- 67
- 36
- Released
- 2020
- 2020
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Still sold new
- Driver
- 2× 8.2 mm dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- 8.2 mm
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- 10 Hz - 25 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 18 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 1.0
- 5.2
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- 20 m
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 12 h
- 14 h
- Full charge time
- 10 min
- 100 min
- Wireless charging
- No
- No
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- Yes
- ANC type
- -
- adaptive
- Companion app
- -
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- -
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- -
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- Alexa
- Weight
- 18.6 g
- 32 g
- Water resistance
- none
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Model code
- -
- 717649
- Microphones
- 1
- -
- Call noise reduction
- -
- Yes
- Call NR technology
- -
- cVc
What reviewers said
Beats Flex
The Beats Flex is a budget-friendly neckband earphone that prioritizes bass-heavy sound and seamless Apple device integration. While it offers solid battery life and lightweight comfort, its sound profile is not neutral, and it lacks water resistance and active noise cancellation. It's a strong pick for bass lovers on a tight budget, especially within the Apple ecosystem.
- Pro:Bass-forward sound that suits pop and hip-hop
- Pro:Lightweight neckband design reduces risk of loss
- Pro:Seamless pairing with Apple devices
- Con:Recessed treble can soften vocals
- Con:No water resistance rating
- Con:No active noise cancellation
Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD
The Beyerdynamic Blue BYRD is a lightweight, feature-packed neckband earphone that delivers solid, dynamic audio performance for its price. It includes adaptive noise cancellation, multipoint Bluetooth 5.2, and support for high-quality codecs like aptX Adaptive, all wrapped in a comfortable, water-resistant design. However, its real-world battery life falls short of the listed figure, and the control layout and neckband ergonomics can be frustrating in daily use.
- Pro:Good sound quality with dynamic drivers
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and multipoint support
- Pro:Supports aptX Adaptive and AAC codecs
- Con:Battery life is shorter than advertised
- Con:Remote control is awkward to use
- Con:Neckband comfort can be hit-or-miss
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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