Over-Ear
Apple Beats Flex
72Good
$70
Full review dataApple Beats Flex vs Sennheiser HD 400: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser HD 400 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 82. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sennheiser HD 400 - Great overall at around $77.
Over-Ear
Sennheiser HD 400
82Great
$77
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
Sennheiser HD 400
Sound8.5
Value8.0
Specifications
| Spec | Apple Beats Flex | Sennheiser HD 400 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Price (USD) | $70 | $77 |
| HearWiki score | 72 / 100 · Good | 82 / 100 · Great |
| Released | 2020 | - |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | Sennheiser dynamic drivers |
| Driver size | 8.2 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 1 |
| Frequency response | 20Hz-20kHz | 18Hz-20kHz |
| Impedance | - | 120 Ω |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth | - |
| Bluetooth version | 5.0 | - |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC | - |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 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 | buttons |
| Voice assistant | supported | - |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 18.6 g | 240 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| USB-C | Yes | 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)
Sennheiser HD 400
These over-ear Sennheiser headphones are built around a neutral, open-back design aimed at studio work, delivering a wide soundstage and detailed, transparent audio for critical listening. They are lightweight and comfortable for long sessions, with a high-impedance driver setup that helps maintain low distortion, though they lack isolation and come without a carry case. Wired connectivity via USB-C and detachable cables adds versatility, but the open-back nature means sound leaks both ways.
- Pro:Accurate, transparent sound with wide soundstage
- Pro:Lightweight and comfortable for extended wear
- Pro:Detachable cables and USB-C connectivity
- Con:No included carry case or spare ear pads
- Con:Open-back design leaks sound and offers no isolation
- Con:High impedance may require a dedicated amplifier for best results
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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