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.
38 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 do love them! I’m so glad you recommended them.
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!
I’ve had my Bose earbuds for several years (at least 5) and they are wonderful. I bought them through Bose certified refurbished website and I have no regrets. Highly recommend going this avenue to save some $$ if it’s Bose you want 😉
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.
I love my Pixel bud A-Series! I generally dislike having things in my ears (including ear plugs), but these ear buds allow air and some sound in by design, and automatically adjust volume for traffic noise as a safety feature. They also know when you only have one in (and which one it is) and adjust the audio accordingly. I love only needing to wear one at a time! I have a friend who is deaf in one ear and these are the only ear buds that work for him. They only need to be charged roughly once a week, and that’s with pretty heavy use. They’re one of my favorite items that I own!
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.
After responding to your post, I clicked the link to check out your favorite earbuds. I was surprised to see that they were only $50. I ended up buying the black pair, because they were on sale for $45 and I had a $10 credit with Best Buy. Ha!
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.
I have worn out 2 pair of Raycon earbuds. I loved the “gaming” version the best and bought them on Cyber Monday deals for much less than the Airpods and they fit my ears so much better. The last pair I bought…not my favorites. My technology nerdish son recommended that I buy a pair of “Status Between 3ANC” earbuds for the sound quality–he knows how much time I spend with my audio books–and I love them. Although, I admit that after reading your post I am seriously considering a pair of the beats for work so I am not tied to my computer with my wired earbuds.
No in-ear products like my ears, they either fell out or hurt like the dickens. I love love love my Bose ultra open earbuds. They are cuffs that work well and are very comfortable.
Good to know about the open ear ones, Stacy!
I just got Tayogo T6+W18 aquasound earphones to listen to audiobooks while swimming and I’m excited to combine two of my favorite things. Plus, I imagine I’ll swim longer if I’m listening to an audiobook.
The key to the headphones is that they come with a radio/bluetooh transmitter that you connect to your phone’s bluetooth. You then connect the radio transmitter to your earbuds and you can stream audiobooks from your phone. I love this because this means I don’t have to convert and download audiobooks and then seperate them into chapters.
Options for listening to audiobooks while swimming is limited. Swim mp3s players or earbuds only allow you to forward to the next chapter, so finding your place can be difficult. Now I can just stream audiobooks from my phone in audible or libby and I don’t have to mess with that.
Bluetooth earbuds don’t work in water, and the bone conductor earbuds sound different each time I tilt my head out of water, so it’s hard to listen to audiobooks. So my new earphones are a really good solution. I’m sharing in case there are other swimmers who want to stream audiobooks too.
What good tips for swimmers, Katherine. Thank you for sharing!
I can attest, I have been using these earbuds for three or four years for music and podcasts as well as reading. I loooove them – the adjustable tip sizes as you mentioned are key. For me as someone who flies transatlantic a lot, i also love them because they don’t fall out of my ear. Every time i see someone searching for an AirPod on the plane, I am so glad I am not wearing them.
I use with both Apple and Android devices and they work well with both. (And yes I love the color too – I have the blue ones like your husband !)
So happy to hear this, Kim!
We have all the same headphone needs/preferences. I ordered immediately. 😂
Me too! So far I love them! May order a blue pair as a back up.
Question about these: can you put only one in and still hear the audio well? Or does the dangling cord make this impossible? I like to know what is going on around me as I listen to my book.
Yes. You can only put one in. The cord is such that it won’t flap around with one ear in and one ear out. I have tried it.
This is good to know Dawn and Barb, I have not tried that yet! Glad to know it was option.
Yes. I use one ear at a time if my husband is around, and I know he might talk to me.
I’ve been using a pair of Tozo T10 ($20) earbuds for over 5 years now. I like to use one while listening so I can hear other sounds, it also doubles my listening time since I can switch to the other side if the battery gets low. Batteries last a good 6-8 hours and the case will charge on my wireless charger. Have no issues connecting to my iPhone, iPad or laptop.
That is a great hack on the battery charge, Anne with an E!
I use the same earbuds. Mine are yellow. Husband’s are blue. I appreciate the ability to use one ear at a time if necessary. The controls make is easy to adjust volume and stop/start. I’d buy the exact same pair if I lost them.