Neckband
Beats Flex
67Good
$70
Full review dataBeats Flex vs Mpow BH596: 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
Mpow BH596
64Good
$36
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Neither pulls ahead overall - they trade wins across the measures.
- Beats Flex
- Mpow BH596
HearWiki score
67
64
Sound
6.3
5.6
Battery
6.4
7.2
Calls
5.7
5.4
Value
6.7
7.0
Price (USD)
$70
$36
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?
Same generation
The Mpow BH596 is 6 years newer, but it is the same generation of hardware: nothing in the radio, the codecs or the noise cancelling separates them. The platform is level; the newer hardware shows up in convenience features instead - the Beats Flex adds Multipoint pairing and USB-C. For 6 years between them, that is a thin return - treat this as a restyle rather than a new platform.
- Flex2020
- BH59620266 yr newer
What differsFlexBH596
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
Everyday features
Specifications
FlexBH596
- Type
- Neckband
- Neckband
- Price (USD)
- $70
- $36
- HearWiki score
- 67
- 64
- Released
- 2020
- 2026
- Availability
- Still sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- 2× 8.2 mm dynamic
- -
- Driver type
- dynamic
- -
- Driver size
- 8.2 mm
- -
- Drivers per side
- 2
- 1
- Frequency response
- 20 Hz - 20 kHz
- -
- Bluetooth
- 1.0
- -
- Codecs
- SBC, AAC
- -
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- No
- Wireless range
- 20 m
- -
- Battery life
- 12 h
- 24 h
- Full charge time
- 10 min
- -
- Quick charge
- -
- 10 min → 4 h
- Wireless charging
- No
- -
- Active noise cancelling
- No
- No
- Wear detection
- Yes
- -
- Controls
- buttons
- buttons
- Voice assistant
- Yes
- Siri
- Weight
- 18.6 g
- -
- Water resistance
- none
- -
- USB-C
- Yes
- No
- Microphones
- 1
- 1
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
Mpow BH596
The Mpow BH596 is a budget-friendly wireless neckband headset that prioritizes comfort and long battery life, offering up to 24 hours of playback. It features simple button controls and supports voice assistant access via Siri, making it a practical choice for everyday listening. While its build feels plasticky and sound can leak at high volumes, it delivers decent audio for the price.
- Pro:Long 24-hour battery life
- Pro:Comfortable fit for extended wear
- Pro:Quick charge adds 4 hours in 10 minutes
- Con:Plasticky build quality
- Con:Sound leakage at higher volumes
- Con:No active noise cancellation
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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