ThtRht Retractable Earphone

The ThtRht Retractable Earphone is a two-pack of wired buds with a tidy retractable cable, but the 28-inch cord is too short for pocket use and there's no mic. Sound quality is near the bottom of our database. Worth it only as a cheap airplane accessory.

Let's be real about what these are. The sound is acceptable for spoken content and background music, but it's one of the weakest audio performers in our entire earbuds database. No bass depth, no detail, just flat and serviceable. The retractable mechanism works, which is the main selling point, but the 28-inch cord length is a genuine problem. Owners consistently mention they can't keep a phone in their pocket while listening. There's also no microphone, so calls are off the table entirely. Connectivity is wired-only and fine for anything with a 3.5mm jack, but Android compatibility is spotty according to some buyers.

Stacked against the Soundcore P20i, JLab Go Pop ANC, or TOZO A1, these ThtRht buds look rough. Those competitors are wireless, have mics, and sound dramatically better. The P20i and A1 are also cheap, often under USD 20, and they don't tether you to a 28-inch leash. The one thing the ThtRht does that none of those do is retract. If you specifically want a no-battery, no-pairing wired option for flights, this is a niche pick. But the BESNOOW I53 and similar wired budget buds offer longer cords and mics for about the same money. The retractable gimmick is carrying a lot of weight here.

At USD 9 for two pairs, the price is hard to argue with. In Europe, the spread is EUR 9 to EUR 17 across four listings, so shop around. The German listing sits at the low end of that range and is the best deal we see. You're getting two retractable earbuds for less than a sandwich in most places. But value isn't just price. The short cord and missing mic mean these are really only useful in one scenario: wired audio on a plane or at a desk where the device is close by. For that narrow use case, it's a fine impulse buy. For anything else, you'll outgrow them fast.

The ThtRht Retractable Earphone is a two-pack of wired earbuds with a party trick: the cable spools back into the housing when you're done. That's the whole pitch. No Bluetooth, no app, no charging case. Just a 3.5mm jack and a cord that doesn't turn into a rat's nest in your bag. For under ten bucks in most markets, it's a simple travel accessory aimed at people who still need wired audio on planes or older devices.

But our database is not kind to these. Sound quality lands in the 2nd percentile, user sentiment in the 6th, and the mic score is a 12th percentile showing. The retractable design is neat, but the cord maxes out around 28 inches, which owners say is too short for pocket use. You're getting convenience, not performance.

Skip these if you need a mic for calls, want to keep your phone in your pocket while listening, or care even a little about sound quality. Also skip if you're on a newer iPhone without a headphone jack and don't want to carry an adapter. Anyone looking for a daily driver should spend a bit more on wireless buds like the Soundcore P20i or TOZO A1 instead.

Buy these if you want a disposable pair of wired earbuds for airplane screens or a backup in your laptop bag. The retractable design is genuinely handy for travel, and two pairs for under ten bucks is painless. But if you plan to listen to music on your phone while it's in your pocket, or take calls, or care about sound quality at all, skip them. These are a one-trick pony, and the trick only works when the device is within arm's reach.