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Beats Flex vs. Airpods Pro vs. Sony WI-XB400: Which is Best for You?

Beats Flex vs. Airpods Pro vs. Sony WI-XB400: Which is Best for You?

    Headphones are things we tend to use every day on the way to work or when exercising, it’s worth getting a really good pair if you enjoy listening to music or audiobooks. Wireless headphones are all the rage right now, because they let us getting rid of the shackles of wires. With no doubt that Apple AirPods Pro are the most popular true wireless earphones, but they're not for everyone due to their high price. If you have a limited budget, the Beats Flex and the Sony WI-XB400 are also a good choice. In this guide, I will make a detailed comparison between Apple AirPods Pro, Beats Flex and Sony WI-XB400, so you can find the best one that meet your needs.

Cover Photo:Priyash Vasava on unsplash.com

Beats Flex vs. Airpods Pro vs. Sony WI-XB400:

Side by Side Comparison


Beats FlexApple AirPods ProSony WI-XB400
TypeIn-ear
In-ear
In-ear
EnclosureClosed-BackClosed-BackClosed-Back
WirelessYesTruly WirelessYes
Noise CancellingNoYesNo
MicYesYesYes

Transducer

DynamicDynamicDynamic
Weight
0.04 lbs0.01 lbs0.05 lbs
Clamping Force0 lbs0 lbs0 lbs
Controls
OS Compatibility
Not OS specificiOSNot OS specific
Ease Of UseGoodGoodGood
FeedbackGoodDecentOkay
Call/Music ControlYesYesYes
Volume ControlYesNoYes
Microphone ControlNoNoNo
Channel MixingNoNoNo

Noise Cancelling

Control

NoOn/OffNo
Talk-ThroughNoOn/OffNo
Additional Controls

Voice Assistant

Voice Assistant

Voice Assistant
Sound Profile
Bass Amount2.91 dB-2.57 dB3.28 dB
Treble Amount-3.39 dB-1.83 dB-3.15 dB
Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling  

NoNoNo
Speaker ModelingNoOn/OffNo
Room AmbienceNoNoNo
Head TrackingNoOn/OffNo
Virtual SurroundNoSpatial AudioNo APP
Test Settings
Firmware3.7.22B584Unknown
PowerOnOnOn
ConnectionBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 4.2
Codec

SBC, 16-bit, 48kHz

SBC, 16-bit, 48kHzSBC, 16-bit, 48kHz
EQNo EQNo EQNo EQ
ANCNo ANCNo
No ANC
Tip/PadSilicone (small)Silicone (small)Silicone (small)
MicrophoneIntegratedIntegratedIn-line
Noise Isolation
Overall Attenuation-20.76 dB-21.31 dB-13.54 dB

Bass

-10.18 dB-18.96 dB-4.88 dB
Mid
-15.42 dB-19.43 dB-17.97 dB
Treble-36.94 dB-25.5 dB-19.27 dB
Microphone Style
IntegratedYesYesNo
In-LineNo
No
Yes
Boom
No
No
No
Detachable BoomNo
No
No
Battery
Battery Type
RechargableRechargable

Rechargable

Continuous Battery Life
11 hrs5.3 hrs19.5 hrs
Additional Charges0.05.00.0
Total Battery Life11 hrs31.8 hrs19.5 hrs
Charge Time
1.2 hrs1.1 hrs2.7 hrs
Power-Saving FeatureNoStandby mode

No

Audio While Charging

No

Yes

No
Passive PlaybackNo
No
No
Charging Port 
USB-CLightningUSB-C
App Support
App Name
BeatsiOS InterfaceNo App
iOSYesYesNo
Android
YesNoNo
macOSNoYesNo
Windows
NoNoNo
EqualizerNoNoNo
ANC ControlNoOn/OffNo
Mic ControlNoNoNo
Room EffectsNoNoNo
Playback ControlNoNoNo
Button MappingNoYesNo
Surround SupportNoNoNo
Bluetooth
Bluetooth Version5.0+W1 chip5.0+H1 chip5.0
Multi-Device Pairing
NoNoNo
NFC PairingNoNoNo
Line Of Sight Range

305.00 ft (92.96 m)

171.00 ft (52.12 m)

221.00 ft (67.36 m)
PC Latency (SBC)
173 ms188 ms209 ms
PC Latency (aptX)N/AN/AN/A
PC Latency (aptX HD)
N/AN/AN/A
PC Latency (aptX-LL)N/AN/AN/A
iOS Latency
30 ms49 ms102 ms
Android Latency
96 ms86 ms165 ms
Base/Dock
TypeNo Base/DockCharging CaseNo Base/Dock
USB Input
NoNoNo
Line In
NoNoNo
Line Out
No

No

No
Optical InputNoNoNo
RCA Input
NoNoNo
Dock ChargingYesYesYes
Power Supply
No Base/DockLightningNo Base/Dock

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Beats Flex, Airpods Pro and Sony WI-XB400 Review

| #1  Beats by Dr. Dre Beats Flex Wireless Earphones

Google Users Rating: 4.1/5

The Beats Flex Wireless are colorful budget-friendly in-ears with a neck cable. It has traditional Beats sound with a traditional Beats design and many of the same features of other Beats headphones, but at a quintessentially non-Beats price. Combining a high-quality audio solution with a lightweight and comfortable design, it streams audio through a dual-chamber acoustic design, delivering pronounced stereo sound with deep, rich bass. Laser-cut micro-venting and an optimized driver angle also work to keep that audio clear, while providing ear relief during extended use.  In addition, the built-in microphone on the Beats Flex has been engineered to reduce noise from the wind, giving you clearer hands-free calls when paired with a smartphone.

1.png

Source:bestbuy.com

Unlike a typical rigid neckband, Beats' Flex-Form cable can conform to most any neck shape. When you're not listening to music, the magnetic earbuds click together to keep them tangle-free and immediately within reach when needed.  Thanks to its W1 chip, the Beats Flex Wireless is also easy to pair it with different Apple devices. Moreover, the Beats Flex pairs with most any Bluetooth-compatible device and utilizes Class 1 Bluetooth technology for an extended wireless range past the typical 33' of Class 2. On a full charge, they play back music, podcasts, and more for up to 12 hours. All in all, the Beats Flex is a well-thought-out product with easy controls, enough battery life to last your entire workday, and solid audio quality for the price.

PROSCONS

Lightweight and convenient to wear

No official IP rating or sweat-resistance
Decent sound quality So-so noise isolation

Strong mics for calls and digital assistant

use

Limited codec support
Rock-solid wireless connection
Apple's W1 chip provides seamless integration with iOS devices and audio sharing functionality
Work well with Android devices
Lengthy battery life
Affordable

| #2  Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless Charging Case

Google Users Rating: 4.6/5

AirPods Pro is Apple's only in-ear headphones with Active Noise Cancellation. To ensure a rewarding listening experience, it utilizes Adaptive EQ to automatically sculpt the tonal output to suit your unique ear shape. Their custom high-excursion drivers and high dynamic range amplifiers deliver clear, detailed sound with bass down to 20 Hz, all while keeping distortion low and upholding extended battery life. Unlike the standard AirPods, the Pros come with a choice of silicone tips. Once you've achieved a good seal, you'll enjoy some of the most effective noise-canceling we've ever experienced. Transparency, a new listening mode, uses microphones to amplify the sounds around you so you can hear your surroundings better. It’s great when you don’t want to miss any important announcements, and you can toggle Active Noise Cancellation back on by squeezing the stem again.

2.png

Source:bhphotovideo.com

Additional, AirPods Pro is small, lightweight, and has an IPX4 rating for water resistance.Itdeliver five hours of listening time on a single charge—or 4.5 hours of listening time in Active Noise Cancellation mode, and they're made to keep up with you thanks to a wireless charging case that holds multiple additional charges for more than 24 hours of listening time or over 18 hours of talk time. Just 5 minutes in the case gives you approximately one hour of listening time. Although they were released in 2019, Apple's AirPods Pro remain top true-wireless earbuds, thanks to their comfortable fit, decent sound, Active Noise Cancellation and compelling feature set, which includes Apple's spatial audio virtual surround feature.

PROSCONS
Ultracompact, lightweightANC and EQ aren't adjustable
Comfortable and stable fitStill feel very iOS-focused
Sweatproof (IPX4)
Fairly pricey
Strong audio performance  

Quality active noise cancellation

Excellent transparency mode   

Deep software integration with iOS
Easy setup and syncing
Battery life isn't bad

| #3  Sony WI-XB400 Wireless In-Ear Headphones

Google Users Rating: 4.3/5

Sony WI-XB400 are affordable neckband style Bluetooth headphone with long-lasting battery life and great ergonomics, but the sound quality isn’t very compelling. It plays your favorite music through its 11.9mm drivers while enhancing low-end frequencies for deep and thumping bass.The Sony earbuds have a heavily recessed midrange and surprisingly balanced bass, considering the “extra bass” badge. The battery life is great for a wireless bud, lasting for around 19.5 hours on a single charge. You can knock it right up with fast charging via a USB-C port.Also, the ergonomics are excellent, and earbuds feel comfortable in your ears. However, it's noise isolation is rather disappointing.

3.png

Source:bestbuy.com

The XB400 in-ear earphones also feature built-in controls and a microphone on the neckband. The microphone can be used to make hands-free phone calls and interact with your mobile device's voice assistant software. With one-touch access, you can ask your device questions, navigate to a destination, play music, set reminders, and much more. Other built-in controls let you manage audio playback, such as play, stop, skip, and volume adjustment. When you're done listening but still want to keep the WI-XB400 earphones handy, simply click the magnetic earbuds together to wear them around your neck.   It is a good choice for those looking for a basic pair of wireless headphones with an extra kick of bass.

PROSCONS
Lightweight DesignNo Active Or Passive Noise Cancellation
Comfortable fitLack of sweat resistance
Reliable Bluetooth connectionNo Aptx Support
Decent sound with tight bass
Voice-assist and hands-free compatible
Long battery life for all-day operation
Value For Money

Verdict

Beats Flex vs. Airpods Pro vs. Sony WI-XB400: Which is Best for You?

There is no doubt that Apple airpods Pro is the best wireless earphone among the three, thanks to its winning design and fit, excellent sound, effective noise-canceling ,excellent call quality and compelling feature set, which includes Apple's spatial audio virtual surround feature. If you want brilliant-sounding headphones with the slickest possible experience on your iPhone or any iOS device and active noise cancellation feature,   and don't care price , you should only buy the ‌AirPods Pro‌.

Compare to Apple airpods Pro,  the Beats Flex lacks the transparency/ANC modes, auto-switching between iOS, or spatial audio, but still offers good passive noise isolation, audio sharing, and fast-pairing with iOS devices. If you want a pair of inexpensive wireless earbuds with heavier bass response and , you can also take the Beats Flex into consideration.

The Sony WI-XB400 and the Beats Flex Wireless and are similarly performing headphones. But the Beats Flex Wireless can isolate more noise and have a W1 chip so that you can seamlessly pair them with Apple devices, while the Sony have a better-balanced sound profile, which some users may prefer, and longer continuous battery life.

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