Belkin SoundForm G3H0002btBLK

The Belkin SoundForm USB-C earbuds score 40.8 out of 100 overall, with a standout 91st percentile build quality but a rough 22.3 music score. The ANC is well above average at the 73rd percentile, and the USB-C connector is handy for newer phones. But the sound quality is mediocre, and at USD 20 to 23, you're paying for durability and convenience, not audio performance.

Let's start with the good news. The build quality sits at the 91st percentile, which puts these among the best-constructed wired earbuds in our database. The flat, lightweight cable is a nice touch, and the IPX5 rating means sweat and light rain won't kill them. The ANC score lands at the 73rd percentile, which is well above average for wired buds at this price. It's not going to silence a subway car, but it takes the edge off background noise.

The bad news is the sound. A 29th percentile score is mediocre, and the music-specific score of 22.3 out of 100 is a real weak spot. The 10mm dynamic driver should theoretically deliver decent bass, but our testing shows it falls behind most competitors. The mic sits at the 67th percentile, which is solid for calls, and the noise-cancelling mic helps in loud environments. Battery isn't a factor here since these are wired, but the 45th percentile connectivity score reflects the USB-C-only limitation. If your device doesn't have USB-C, you're out of luck without an adapter, which kind of defeats the purpose.

Stacked against the competition, the Belkin SoundForm struggles. The Nothing Buds 2 and Anker Space A40 are both wireless options that deliver significantly better sound and comfort, though they cost more. The Soundcore P31i and EarFun Air Pro TW230B also outperform these in audio quality while staying in the budget range. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro is the closest wired competitor, and it manages better sound without sacrificing much on build. The Belkin's 91st percentile build quality is genuinely impressive, but the 29th percentile sound score means every one of these competitors beats it where it counts. The ANC is a nice differentiator at this price, but it's not enough to close the gap.

At USD 20 to 23 across two US listings, these are cheap. The spread is only USD 3, so you're not saving much by hunting around, but the lower end of that range is the better deal. For that money, you're getting ANC, IPX5, and a 2-year warranty, which is a decent feature set. But the sound quality is the whole point of earbuds, and a 22.3 music score is hard to overlook. The build quality is excellent, so these will last, but they'll last while sounding underwhelming. If you just need something for podcasts and calls, the value works. If you actually want to enjoy music, you can do better elsewhere.

The Belkin SoundForm USB-C earbuds land in our database with a total score of 40.8 out of 100. That's not a typo. The build quality is genuinely impressive at the 91st percentile, but the sound score of 22.3 out of 100 drags the whole package down hard. You're getting a well-made pair of wired buds with a USB-C connector, a 10mm dynamic driver, ANC, and IPX5 water resistance. On paper, that's a solid feature list for the price. In practice, the audio just doesn't hold up.

These are wired earbuds for people who hate dongles. If you've got an iPhone 15, a recent Galaxy, or a Pixel without a headphone jack, these plug straight in and work. The flat cable resists tangling, the mic has noise cancellation, and Belkin throws in a 2-year warranty. But none of that matters much if the music sounds flat. At USD 20 to 23, the value proposition hinges entirely on how much you care about convenience over sound quality.

Skip these if you care about music quality. The 22.3 music score is one of the weakest in our database, and the 29th percentile sound ranking means most budget earbuds outperform them. Also skip if comfort is a priority, since the 29th percentile comfort score suggests the fit isn't great for long sessions. And if you don't have a USB-C device, these are useless without an adapter, which defeats the whole purpose. Anyone who already owns a decent pair of 3.5mm earbuds and a dongle should probably just keep using those.

The Belkin SoundForm USB-C earbuds are a case of great bones, weak heart. The 91st percentile build quality and 73rd percentile ANC are legitimately good, and the USB-C convenience is real. But a 22.3 music score is a dealbreaker for anything called earbuds. If you need a cheap, durable pair for calls and podcasts on a USB-C phone, these will do the job. If you care about how your music sounds, spend a little more on the Soundcore P31i or EarFun Air Pro TW230B. The 2-year warranty and IPX5 rating add peace of mind, but they can't fix the audio.