Beats Flex adds two new colors, and they're still the cheapest Apple headphones

Beats Flex earbuds headphones
(Image credit: Beats)

If you’re looking to add a little color to your look then Apple has something for you, as its Beats Flex earbuds are now available in two striking new color options - Smoke Grey and Flame Blue.

Beats Flex are the cheapest headphones in the Beats lineup, offering Apple’s signature blend of style and quality at an affordable price. These wireless headphones are connected by a stylish flexible band and offer magnetic earbuds that attach together when not in use, autoplay/pause features, and an impressive 12-hour battery life with USB-C charging. They charge quickly too, with 10 minutes giving you 90 minutes of playtime thanks to Fast Fuel charging. 

And now they’re available in two slick color options - Flame Blue and Smoke Grey - which are joining the existing Citrus Yellow and Beats Black options. These color options aren’t entirely new to us, as they were shown off when the Beats Flex were first revealed back in October 2020, but they were mysteriously absent at launch.

Beats Flex are the company’s first proper foray into affordable headphones, and they’re much cheaper than the previous “cheap” option from Beats, the BeatsX headphones. Beats Flex cost $49.99 (£49.99 in the UK), which is three times less the BeatsX headphones cost when they first launched. 

And yet despite that enormous price drop, Beats Flex still offer great sound quality for their cost. They use dual chamber acoustics and offer a balanced sound profile with great bass (as you’d expect from Beats). Don't get us wrong, they’re not going to outcompete your Airpod Pro or Powerbeats earbuds, but they’re also a fraction of the cost.

They also have all the connectivity and ease of use features that you’d expect. The latest Bluetooth technology to connect to your iPhone 12, or any other smartphone for that matter. The onboard Apple W1 chip will make sure that it seamlessly pairs up with your Apple devices via one-touch pairing. There is a built-in microphone with wind reduction so you can take calls on the go, and there are on-device controls for listening to music, taking calls, or using your AI voice assistant too.

If you’re looking for a solid pair of budget earbuds and want to retain that cool factor that comes with a premium name like Beats, then the Beats Flex are perfect for you. We’ll have our full review of Beats Flex up shortly.

Ian Stokes

Ian Stokes is the Tech Editor here at Top Ten Reviews. He has extensive experience in tech and games journalism, with work published on IGN, Kotaku UK, Waypoint, GamesRadar, Trusted Reviews, and many more. You'll find him covering everything from smartphones and home computers to 3D printers and headphones. He's also our resident cocktail expert.