Last year, I listened to a whopping 269 hours 59 minutes of books on audio, the majority while wearing earbuds. While I have three different pairs, I can definitively say that my Beats Flex earbuds are my favorite and increase the number of hours I am able to enjoy my audiobook.
Since I happily consume about half of my reads on audio, it’s important to have the right listening accessories. For a long time, I used a set of basic wired earbuds but the cord was annoying and always snagged on things.Then I got a pair of Apple Airpods Pros, which are popular but I find uncomfortable to wear in my ears for lengths of time.
Then two years ago, my mom gifted me and my husband Chad with Beats earbuds in two different bright colors, after seeing them recommended by a fellow audiobook aficionado. I immediately fell in love and quickly realized they could help me listen to even more audiobooks than before. Since then, I find myself reaching for my Beats Flex earbuds over any others when I want to sink into an awesome-on-audio pick.
I suffer from annoying tinnitus due to hearing loss in my right ear. (Readers, I know I am not alone with tinnitus. I am so sorry if you also have it because it really is rubbish.) The nearly constant ringing makes me prefer devices I can listen to at low volumes so as not to further damage my ears. Yet noise cancelling features make it hard for me to hear what is going on around me. These earbuds are a perfect balance of noise isolation and ambient sound. As a bonus, the sound quality is fabulous with a surprisingly low price point for a brand name like Beats. They usually go on sale a few times a year too.
I have the bright “Yuzu Yellow” option and they are cheerfully cute. Chad’s “Flame Blue” color makes it simple for us to tell whose is whose, unlike our matching black phones that we constantly mix up. Plus, the day-glo color makes them easy to spot. Whether at the bottom of a tote bag, in my carry-on luggage, across the room, in the car, or in a hotel, these neon babies are hard to miss, meaning I am less likely to lose them. (This is key for me: I am embarrassed to admit how many times I have lost my nondescript sunglasses.) The one time I forgot my headphones at a coffee shop, the barista knew exactly which pair I was looking for since they are so unique.
Even more important than being cute and colorful, the earbuds are seriously comfy. On a recent gal’s trip to NYC, we were all lamenting how headphones can hurt. I wear earrings everyday cause I feel naked without them and on-the-ear headphone options make the point backs dig in. And am I the only one whose ears get sweaty under those popular puffy cushions?
Earbuds are also not always easy to wear because they have to fit just so in order to be comfortable. That being said, the Beats Flex is the most pleasant-to-wear pair of earbuds I have owned. I put in some major listening time with them—we are talking a whole audiobook in a day while cleaning the house—and never feel discomfort. They come with four different eartip sizes to choose from and fit better than my AirPods. Plus, they are lightweight with a smooth connecting wire that I hardly ever notice around my neck.
Now for some nerdy tech details: the automatic connection to Apple products is unmatched. The Beats Flex earbuds seamlessly connect to my iPhone and MacBook easier than my Airpods ever have and quickly transfer back and forth between devices without missing, you guessed it, a beat. (They are compatible with Android as well but I can’t speak to that experience.) The battery lasts all day and they charge quickly.
Oh, and remember how I said they are hard to lose? The Find My app makes them even easier to locate. That’s how I knew I left them at the coffee shop! Another nifty feature is the built-in magnets. Each bud has a magnet that connects to the other and automatically stops playback. This comes in mighty handy when I need to pause quickly while my kiddos are talking to me. It also makes the wire a necklace-like loop so they don’t slip off your neck when not in your ear. I love it when a technology plan comes together and makes my (reading) life simpler.
Have you tried these earbuds? Do you have a different pair you would recommend for enjoying audiobooks? I would love to hear all about how you listen to audiobooks in the comments.
P.S. Science Fiction and Fantasy that is fabulous on audiobook, 8 great Audible alternatives for audiobook listeners, and A small joy that makes getting up in the morning so much better.
About the author
Brigid Misselhorn is our MMD Book Club Community Administrator. Her go-to genres are mystery, romance, and sci-fi. You can find Brigid on Instagram @brigid_emily.
18 comments
I love that I found your recommendation! I haven’t been walking and wearing my Air Pods, because they sometimes fall out of my ears. I ordered the Beats as soon as I read your post. I’m excited to try them out and I hope they’ll mean I can listen to audiobooks and podcasts while I walk!
I hope you love them as much as I do, Amy! The magnet that connects them when not wearing is so nifty too.
I am “blessed” to have hearing aids that have Bluetooth. So anytime I want to listen to a book I just turn on the Bluetooth and I am all set. This has really upped my audiobook game! I guess there is some benefit to growing older after all!
This is a bonus for sure! My mom’s hearing aids work the same way.
Incredibly basic, but I love my AirPod Pros. I upgraded to the 3s in 2023 and will probably upgrade to the 4s this year sometime. I can (and do) wear them for 8+ hour periods without pain, and use them for work calls too. I’ve listened to many, many books in a day with them. I have a pair of Bose over the ear as well but they get hot and are uncomfortable, although the noise cancellation is markedly better— I bring them on plane trips when I have room for that reason. I’d probably try the Bose in ear at some point but they’re so much more expensive than AirPods that I haven’t felt it necessary.
So glad I am not the only one who’s ears get hot in the over-the-ear styles!
What a fun bookish topic! I too listen to lots of audiobooks – last year was 423 hours, though some of that was in the car. I love that the Beats are so bright! I have found my own “perfect” headphones in the Shokz OpenRun Bone Conducting Headphones. They go over the ear and loop behind the neck, but do not go IN the ear. I find them comfortable to wear for hours on end and I like that I can still hear what is going on around me whether being able to respond to my kids or exercise outside and be aware of my surroundings. (These would not be a good solution for loud environments like planes, mowing or loud children, ha) They have a small button on the side to easily pause your book or podcast and a double tap fast forwards. The charge lasts many days and a quick tap of the power button tells you if the battery is low medium or high. They are a little pricey, but I tend “make do” with inexpensive options and having something nice has really improved the experience of something that brings me such great joy! I hope everyone finds their perfect solution!
Hi Kristin! I was just getting ready to endorse the Shokz OpenMove bone conducting headphones. They have been my go-to for the past few years. I no longer have the inner ear discomfort and they are so comfortable to wear around my neck without actually touching my neck. I also appreciate being able to somewhat hear my surroundings, especially when outside walking the dog (or myself😁) and need to be aware. Happy Listening!
I have got to try these Erica and Kristin! Both of our kiddos have children sized pairs of conducting headphones they love but I have yet to get myself a pair.
Came here hoping someone else was a Shokz fan!! I adore mine.
Bookish serendipity! I need to replace my AirPods and was debating whether to replace with new AirPods or try something new. These sound like they might be more comfortable and I just got a birthday gift card that will cover the cost. 🙂 Order placed! Thank you Brigid!
I hope you love them Diane and what a great way to spend a birthday gift card! (Plus the lower price makes it easier to give them a shot and use as backups if you ultimately decide to get new AirPods in the future.)
For me, I’ve been a long time fan of TaoTronics earbuds. They have always been the best quality sound and fit for a budget price. I don’t believe I’ve spent more than $35 for a pair of these earbuds and they’ve all lasted me many years. I have acquired a few pairs of TaoTronics over the years, going from wired, to neckband, to wireless, but my favorite models are:
1, Sound Liberty 97 (comes with an air pods like charging case)
2, TT BH-07 (has an around the neck cord with magnets to hold them around your neck when not using, which I prefer for flights)
Note: There are likely newer models of each of these styles.
I have never heard of this brand! Thank you for sharing Stacie, I am going to check these out.
I love my Bose in ear earbuds. They have quiet (noise canceling) and aware (can hear what’s going on around you) modes that change with a tap on the earbud, or the app on the phone. I can use them on the plane (much smaller than the over the ears one I used to have, and no cord), and walking the neighborhood. They come in different sizes (my husband has large ones) and last up to 20 hours.
This is great to know cause I have considered them in the past! Thank you Shelia!
The offbeat reading aid I love is the remote page turner. Rechargeable. Two piece.I read in bed on my IPad at night. My hands get cold!!! I can keep them warm under covers. Reading bliss!!!
Barbara! I LOVE my remote page turner too. Such a great reading aid.