JVC HAEB75A

The JVC HA-EB75 is a cheap, wired sports bud with a killer secure fit and splash-proof design. Sound is fun and bassy, but call quality is a total flop. For around $13, it's a solid gym beater, just don't try to use it for phone calls.

Sound is where these JVCs do a decent job for the price. The 13.5mm neodymium drivers push a bass-boosted sound that's fun and energetic, landing in the 65th percentile for sound quality. It's not audiophile-grade detail, but it's punchy enough to keep you moving. The real weak spot is calls. With a mic score of 23 out of 100, it's one of the worst we've seen for taking a phone call. The person on the other end will know you're outside. Comfort and build are solid, both in the 73rd percentile, so they stay put and don't feel like they'll snap in half.

Stacked against modern wireless options like the Soundcore P31i or TOZO Crystal Pods, the JVC feels ancient. Those competitors offer true wireless freedom, apps, and often better mics. But they also need charging. The JVC's wired connection is a 14th percentile score, which is a dealbreaker for phone-only users, but a weird strength if you hate pairing. Compared to the Sony WI-C100, another wired-ish neckband option, the JVC's ear-clip design is more secure for sports, even if the Sony sounds a bit more balanced.

Pricing for these is a wild west show, ranging from $13 to $3969 across vendors. Obviously, don't pay four grand for a pair of wired JVCs. At the low end, around that $13 mark, they're a steal for a gym-only beater pair. You're getting a durable, decent-sounding clip-on bud that you won't cry over if you lose it. Just buy from the cheapest seller you can find and ignore the scalpers.

The JVC HA-EB75 is a throwback in the best way. It's a wired, ear-clip sports bud that doesn't care about Bluetooth pairing, app downloads, or noise cancelling. It just clips onto your ear and plays your music. For under twenty bucks, that simplicity is its whole personality. The splash-proof design and adjustable clip mean you can sweat all over them without worrying about a dead battery or a bud falling into a storm drain.

If you need to take calls on your run, look elsewhere because the mic quality is abysmal. Also, if you can't stand cable noise or your phone lacks a headphone jack, these will just frustrate you.

Grab these if you want a disposable, no-fuss gym buddy that lives in your locker. They're perfect for someone who destroys earbuds with sweat and just needs a reliable, wired connection to a cheap MP3 player or an old phone with a headphone jack. The secure fit and splash-proofing are the real stars here.