Apple BeatsX

Great general wireless performance ; Extra easy for iPhone owners ; Fun sound

Unrefined upper mids ; Not that detailed

iPhone owners will find the Beats X a dream to use, but you can get better sound at the price.

Snug, comfy fit Quick Charge feature Balanced sound signature

Relatively expensive Lacking in clarity

The BeatsX are a solid pair of in-ear headphones. They might not have the highest clarity out of all the headphones we've tested, but that’s something they make up for with supreme comfort, smart iOS integration and a surprisingly effective Quick...

Super sound quality ; W1 pairing is ace ; They don't tangle

The neckband bounces around everywhere

Great wireless performance ; iPhone-tailored hardware ; Smart, simple look ; Energetic sound

Limited detail ; Shouty midrange

A fine Bluetooth performance, but the Xs' energetic delivery lacks insight

Comfortable enough to wear all day ; W1 chip makes life simpler for Apple customers ; Fantastic noise isolation

Average sound quality ; Cable between earbuds is too long ; Terrible lint-magnet carrying case

Apple's other wireless earbuds might be a better fit for you than the AirPods

Powerful audio performance with rich bass and clear highs. Includes W1 chip for fast, seamless connection with iOS devices. Excellent wireless range.

No auto power-down or sleep mode. Sculpted sound signature not for audio purists.

Of all the earphones and headphones we've tested with the W1 chip thus far, the BeatsX are our favorite. You get all the benefits of the chip, along with a secure fit and a refreshingly reasonable price (for Beats, that is). But mainly, it's the...

Big bass as you'd expect ; Comfortable fit with multiple tips ; Quick charge feature is great ; W1 chip connectivity is super easy ; Bluetooth range is great

Awkward fit with shirt collar ; Lightning charger means Apple focus ; Bass might drown things ; Magnetised fit out of ear doesn't stop the music

The Beats X headphones offer all the cool connectivity functionality of the Apple AirPods in a more conventional form factor.

Portable and stable design. Very low leakage. Impressively quick charge time.

The neckband design might not be comfortable for all users. Extremely limited app support only available on iOS.

The Beats X Wireless are decent for mixed-use. Their flexible neckband design makes it easy to take these headphones with you, whether in your pocket or around your neck. Although they don't significantly reduce low noises like vehicle engines, they...