Beats Electronics, also known as Beats by Dr. Dre, is a company that was started up by Dre in 2006 and has been owned by Apple since 2014. They make a large range of both wired and wireless headphones, and one of their coolest styles is the Beats Flex.
These neckband-style wireless earbuds have big batteries that let you listen to them for up to 12 hours. But I know what you’re thinking. “When the battery runs out, how do I charge my Beats Flex?”
If that’s why you’re here, there’s not much to worry about. It’s easy to hook up these wireless headphones to a charger and power up a pair of Beats Flex in no time.
Contents
Charge Beats Flex Headphones
Luckily, learning how to charge Beats Flex headphones is easy, but you do need the right cable. Your Beats Flex should have come with a 6-inch USB-C to USB-C type power cable, but not a plug adapter.
That means you have to plug into an adapter from another device or a computer like a MacBook Pro. But, it has to have a USB-C port.
The other end of the cable plugs into your Beats Flex. You’ll find the charging port on the bottom of the LEFT control module (the thick part on the neckband). Plug in, and you’ll see a red LED light glow. When your Beats Flex are done charging, that light will change to glow white instead. That’s it!
Troubleshooting for Charging Beats Flex
If a USB-C slot isn’t available to you, you can go online and buy a new power adapter for your headphones. Apple sells its own USB-C adapter, but you can also get one with both the USB-A and USB-C slots that will be more versatile and let you charge other devices.
Another option…
Get a tiny little USB-C to USB-A adapter like this that will allow you to plug into a computer or other USB-A adapters you may have.
If for any reason, you’ve lost or misplaced the Beats Flex power cable, you could also buy a cable and power adapter package for just a tiny bit more money.
This cord/adapter combo is also five feet long for extra convenience. It goes from USB-A to USB-C, which means you can even use this cable to charge on other power points like a USB-A wall plug or a USB-A port on your computer.
Either way, get yourself a backup power cable…
Honestly, I think it’s a great idea to pick up an extra cable anyway, in case you lose yours in the future. You can also have one cable in your house and the other one in your get-around-town bag or even in your car so that you have more access to charging opportunities no matter where you are.
But don’t get yourself a micro-USB cable or try to plug into one. That’s because the USB-C port is not the same size.
You also can’t charge your Beats Flex from your iPhone or iPad. These devices use the Apple lightning connector, which is also not compatible with your USB-C port.
The Beats Flex Battery and Charging Rates
If you haven’t charged your Beats Flex headphones yet, you’re in for a treat. They can charge from dead flat to full up in a little less than 90 minutes. But, if you need some “Fast Fuel,” you can plug them in for just ten minutes and get about 1.5 hours of playback. That’s incredibly fast.
So how long do they last?
Apple claims that the beats Flex can last up to 12 hours, meaning they can give you 12 hours of playback on a full charge. Now, keep in mind that this is with “moderate volume.” So, if you blast your beats, you’re not going to reach this high number.
If you want to know if you’re running low on juice, there’s a handy LED that lets you know what’s going on. As long as you have more than an hour’s worth of power, it will glow white. If you have less than an hour left, it will glow red. And, flashing red means get to a charger quickly.
Beats Flex Neckband Buds VS. True Wireless Earbuds
There are more and more true wireless earbuds on the market these days. Having no wires at all makes them ultra-sleek and convenient for some users, but they have their limitations. The biggest limitation is that the buds can fall out or get misplaced individually.
Sure, you can use the “Find Your Headphones” feature with your phone to find missing buds, but that’s going to waste some time. And if you’re the type of person who constantly misplaces things, they might not be your best option.
The neckband design of the Beats Flex eliminates this problem, just like your mom sewing your mittens together with a long string. See – wires aren’t all that bad!
The other main limitation of true wireless buds…
Their size and weight. Once you get close to a quarter of an ounce in each ear, they start to feel heavy and uncomfortable. This is because your ears are super-sensitive.
So, engineers are limited by weight and size as to how much they can pack into a small package. And this translates directly into battery power.
So, how big are the Beats Flex?
The Beats Flex weighs only 0.7 ounces (18.6g). But, because a significant part of that weight rests on your strong neck and shoulders, they feel very lightweight. So, you’d expect Beats to have put more battery power in there, and you’d be right.
The Beats Flex last roughly twice as long as the much more expensive Beats Fit Pro or the Apple AirPods Gen3. And a third longer than the Powerbeats Pro with their over-ear hook design.
Overlooked Features of the Beats Flex Neckband Design
Unlike true wireless earbuds that have to hide away in a case while charging, the Flex has nothing to be ashamed of. They can even be used while they’re plugged in.
However, this isn’t going to be all that convenient if you don’t pick up a longer charging cable. And some pundits say that this causes the battery to wear out faster. However, if you need to use them, the Beats Flex can be ready at any time.
FAQs About the Beats Flex
You should now be able to answer the question, “How do I charge my Beats Flex?” So, it’s time to learn more about them and the things you may not have explored before your purchase. Or maybe you got them as a gift, found them, or, well, it’s none of my business.
Where are the controls?
Unlike the tricky tap controls on most true wireless earbuds, the Beats Flex has buttons that you can press and feel as you press them. They’re found on the left-side control module, as is the charging port.
Additionally, there’s a 2-way rocker to adjust your volume and a multi-function button to play/pause and skip tracks. One press will play or pause, two will skip forward, and three will skip back a track. The right module has the power button.
Do they work with Android devices?
They sure do. These headphones can work with Apple products like the iPhone and iPad, but they can also be used on Android phones and tablets. That said, they are designed for use with Apple products, so you might not find them working to 100% efficiency on Android.
How do I pair the Beats Flex with my iPhone?
Because Beats by Dr. Dre is owned by Apple, you don’t need anything special when learning how to use Beats Flex headphones. Just press and hold the power button on the right-hand side control module for 1 second. You’ll need to also have your phone open, and Bluetooth turned on.
Once you turn on the headphones, your phone will give you detailed step-by-step instructions on how to pair them. It all takes about one to two minutes, and you’re ready.
How can I pair these headphones with my Android phone?
If you have an Android phone or tablet, you can do it in two different ways. First, you can simply turn on your Bluetooth and then press and hold the power button on the Flex for 1 second. “Beats Flex” should show up in your list of Bluetooth devices. Select it to connect.
Another way to do it is to go to the Google Play Store. There you can search for and download the Beats app (it’s called simply “Beats”). Once you turn your phone’s Bluetooth on, turn on the headphones, and open this app, you will be given an option to pair.
How do I activate my virtual assistant with these earbuds?
Whether you use Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, you should be able to access your handy helper easily. Just press and hold the multi-function button on the left-hand side control module until your assistant wakes up.
Can I use Beats Flex for calls?
The Beats Flex has built-in microphones to pick up your voice. You can take calls when they ring through your phone by pressing the multi-function button once on the left-hand side control module.
If you want to use your phone and not the headphones, however, press twice, and your call will head to your phone.
Looking for a Great Pair of Earbuds or Headphones?
We can help with that. Check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Neckband Headphones, the Best Beats Headphones, the Best Ear Hook Headphones, the Best Earbuds for Running, the Best iPhone Earbuds, and the Best Wireless Earbuds For Small Ears you can buy in 2023.
Also, take a look at our comprehensive reviews of the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, the Best Bass Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Earbuds, the Best Wired Earbuds, and the Best Cheap Earbuds Under $100 currently on the market.
How Do I Charge My Beats Flex? – Answered!
You now know how easy it is to charge your Beats Flex headphones using the USB-C port and a power adapter. But, I still recommend picking yourself up an extra charging cable. You never know when yours will get lost or damaged, and who wants to wait for tunes?
The Beats Flex uses a neckstrap design to deliver way more battery power than true wireless earbuds. You also can’t lose one or the other, although you can lose both. They charge quickly and carry a lot of juice. And that’s why there’s a place for them in today’s highly competitive headphones market.
Until next time, happy listening.
