JVC Flats HAS160B
The 30mm neodymium drivers deliver a surprisingly powerful sound for the price, housed in a flat-folding, lightweight design with a durable steel headband. Its vibrant, glossy finish and soft ear pads add a level of comfort and style uncommon at this budget tier, making it a portable everyday companion. These headphones are best for students or casual listeners who need an ultra-affordable, wired headset for basic PC use, gaming, and commuting.
Overzicht
The 30-Second Version
The JVC Flats HAS160B are ultra-lightweight, fold-flat on-ear headphones that deliver surprisingly good sound for pocket change prices. Build quality is best-in-class for the budget category, and comfort is strong, though the earpads run small for some. The microphone is genuinely bad, so skip these for calls. At around $10-15, they're a fantastic backup or travel pair.
Pros & Cons
Pluspunten
- Incredibly lightweight at 66g, you barely feel them on your head 97th
- Flat-folding design makes them a no-brainer for travel and commutes 91st
- Sound quality punches above the price with clear highs and solid bass 83rd
- Build quality is surprisingly good, landing in the 97th percentile 69th
- Decent passive noise isolation without needing batteries or ANC gimmicks
Minpunten
- Microphone quality is terrible, among the worst in our database
- Earpads run small and can get uncomfortable during long sessions
- Short 1.2m cable limits how far you can move from your device
- Sound distorts noticeably at higher volumes
- On-ear design leaks audio, so everyone around you hears your playlist
Wat eigenaren vinden
The Word on the Street
Hoe de mening van eigenaren in de loop van de tijd veranderde
ExclusiefOp basis van wanneer klanten hun reviews daadwerkelijk schreven - zo zie je of de eerste lof standhield.
- Q2 202485/100
Buyers praised sound quality, comfort, and value. One reviewer found them tight and uncomfortable.
- Great sound quality for the price
- Comfortable and lightweight for extended wear
- Fold flat design for easy storage
- Too tight on ears, causing discomfort
- Q1 2024100/100
Buyers praised the headphones for their lightweight design, premium sound quality, rich bass, and good value. They also noted a comfortable fit and sleek design.
- Sound quality is premium with rich bass and excellent value.
- Lightweight and comfortable fit on the head.
- Sleek design and good build quality expected to last.
- Low price combined with JVC quality and reliability.
- Q4 202388/100
Buyers praised these headphones for comfort, especially with glasses, and for travel use. They are affordable and light, with good frequency response.
- Comfortable for glasses wearers, not too tight.
- Great for travel, easy to fold and carry.
- Affordable and decent quality for the price.
- Lightweight with good frequency response.
- Q3 202348/100
Buyers found these headphones affordable and decent-sounding, but many reported discomfort and one unit broke the next day.
- Headphones broke the next day for one buyer.
- Ear cups too small, causing pain even for small ears.
- Good value at $12.99, but headband pinches after extended wear.
- Sound quality is fine with balanced bass for the price.
- Q1 201387/100
Buyers praised the sound quality and lightweight design for the price, but noted a loose ear piece hinge and slightly small fit.
- Great sound quality for the price, comparable to expensive models.
- Lightweight and comfortable, not bulky on the head.
- Ear pieces move freely when folded, raising durability concerns.
- Slightly small fit on ears, but not a major issue.
- Q4 201173/100
Buyers praised comfort, sound quality, and value, but noted average noise cancellation and uncertain long-term durability.
- Great sound quality for the price.
- Comfortable for daily use.
- Noise cancellation is average for travel.
- Durability uncertain after two months of use.
- Q3 201167/100
Buyers praised the value and sound quality for the price, but some reported durability issues and comfort problems during extended use.
- Excellent value and sound quality for the low price, especially for casual listening.
- Some units broke quickly, with the headband-speaker connection being fragile.
- Comfort is good initially but declines after a few hours; fit can be awkward.
- Fold-flat design is convenient for travel and storage.
- Q2 201195/100
Buyers praise these headphones for exceptional sound quality, comfort, and value at around $20, with minor concerns about headband padding and fit.
- Excellent sound quality with balanced highs, lows, and mids, often compared favorably to pricier brands.
- Very comfortable lightweight design with soft earpads, though some note headband padding could be improved.
- Exceptional value for the price, considered unbeatable in its price range.
- Durability is adequate for lightweight use; some mention potential breakage but accept it given low cost.
- Q1 201191/100
Buyers praised the excellent comfort, noise isolation, and sound quality for the low price. Some noted crackling at high volume and on-ear sound leakage.
- Excellent comfort for long wear, with good noise isolation.
- Sound quality and bass are impressive for the $20 price point.
- Some crackling and distortion at high volume with heavy music.
- On-ear design causes sound leakage; others can hear your music.
- Q4 2010100/100
All three reviews praise the headphones for excellent sound quality and value, with one buyer ordering additional pairs.
- Sound quality rivals or exceeds more expensive brands like Bose.
- Excellent value for the price, outperforming costlier alternatives.
- No distortion even at high volumes, suitable for demanding use.
- Comfortable fit and overall satisfaction, leading to repeat purchases.
- Q2 201080/100
Buyers praised the sound quality and value for the price, but noted poor durability and a short cord.
- Excellent sound quality with clear treble and good bass for the price.
- Durability is poor; headphones break easily and require gentle handling.
- Comfortable fit, even for larger heads, with adjustable and foldable design.
- Short cord length is a drawback, but can be extended with an accessory.
- Q1 201084/100
Buyers praised the clear, loud sound and value for the price, but noted comfort issues and limited noise cancellation.
- Great sound quality with clear highs, lows, and mids, and very loud volume.
- Excellent value for the price, often compared favorably to more expensive headphones.
- Comfort is acceptable for a few hours but could be better.
- Noise cancellation is weaker than expected.
- Q4 200988/100
Buyers praised the clear sound and strong bass, but noted the headphones do not fold flat and have a very short cord.
- Excellent sound quality with clear treble, mids, and powerful bass.
- Great value for the price, especially for gym or casual use.
- Headphones do not fold; speakers only rotate, limiting portability.
- Cord is very short and feels fragile, prone to pulling or damage.
- Q2 200975/100
Buyers praised sound quality and value, but a recurring reliability issue with shorting out was noted.
- Excellent sound quality for the price, especially with metal/rock music.
- Great value at $20, with comfort and noise isolation praised.
- One side shorts out within months; second pair failed, requiring refund.
- Plastic build feels weak; careful storage needed to avoid breakage.
Gebaseerd op 92 gedateerde klantreviews, gegroepeerd per kalenderkwartaal. Analyse per periode is in het Engels.
De feiten
Performance
The 30mm neodymium drivers push out a frequency range of 12Hz to 24kHz, which on paper is wider than a lot of budget cans. In practice, the sound lands in the 64th percentile for this category, which translates to solid, clear audio that won't offend anyone. The bass has a surprising thump for something this cheap, and highs stay crisp enough for podcasts and YouTube. But push the volume too far and things get crunchy. Multiple owners report distortion at high levels, so these are best kept at moderate listening volumes where they genuinely shine for the price.
Where these really fall apart is the microphone. The mic score sits in the 21st percentile, which is one of the weakest spots in our database. If you're planning to take calls with these, don't. The built-in mic picks up everything in the room except your voice clearly, and the on-ear design leaks enough sound that whoever you're talking to will hear themselves echoed back. For music and video, they're a pleasant surprise. For calls, they're a last resort.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | on-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.1 lbs |
| Headband | Stainless Steel |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 30 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 12 |
| Freq Max | 24000 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Hi-Res Audio | No |
| Codecs | Foldable, Lightweight, ios-phone-control |
| Surround | JVC Flats On-Ear Wired Headphones - Flat Foldable Design - 30mm Driver for Powerful Sound - Soft Ear-Pads for Comfort – Steel Headband - Lightweight & Portable - PC/Laptop/Gaming - 3.5mm Slim Plug | J |
Noise Control
| ANC | No |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | No |
| Multipoint | No |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | No |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
Microphone
| Microphone | No |
| NC Mic | No |
| Boom Mic | No |
| Detachable Mic | No |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS |
| Gaming Mode | Yes |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
vs Competition
Stacked against the Soundcore Life Q20, the JVC Flats occupy a completely different lane. The Q20 gives you active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, and a much better mic, but it costs several times more and weighs nearly four times as much. If you need wireless freedom and call quality, the Q20 is the obvious pick. The TOZO HT2 and Tribit QuietPlus BTQ81 follow a similar pattern, offering ANC and wireless connectivity at a higher price point. The JVC Flats win on sheer portability and price, but lose on features and mic performance.
The LORELEI QC30 and DOQAUS LIFE 4 are closer competitors in the budget wired space, but the JVC Flats still stand out for their build quality and fold-flat design. Those competitors might offer slightly better earpad comfort or longer cables, but they don't match the JVC's combination of durability and portability. If you're someone who tosses headphones in a bag and forgets about them until you need them, the Flats are the better travel companion.
| Spec | JVC Flats HAS160B | Soundcore Life Q20 | TOZO HT3 | Truefree HF-10 | TALIX H30 | FOFUN NC95 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | on-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear | over-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 32 |
| Wireless | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed | closed |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 60 | 90 | 125 | 110 | 120 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Gebruikersoordeel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JVC Flats HAS160B | 69.1 | 20.5 | 97.1 | 64 | 51.8 | 90.9 | 37.2 | 66.5 | 83.1 |
| Soundcore Life Q20 Compare | 95.1 | 89 | 89.4 | 100 | 92.9 | 90.9 | 95.9 | 91.5 | 89.2 |
| TOZO HT3 Compare | 91.8 | 89 | 96.1 | 99.1 | 98.1 | 61.5 | 95.9 | 97.5 | 94.8 |
| Truefree HF-10 Compare | 95.1 | 89 | 96.1 | 86.9 | 99.8 | 85.5 | 87.1 | 96.2 | 94.8 |
| TALIX H30 Compare | 95.1 | 84.3 | 93.5 | 98.2 | 99.3 | 98.3 | 37.2 | 96.8 | 76.7 |
| FOFUN NC95 Compare | 95.1 | 89 | 93.5 | 85.1 | 99.8 | 74.4 | 70.8 | 97.5 | 76.7 |
Prijs
Value & Pricing
The pricing on these is all over the place depending on where you look, with a spread of $13 to $4750 across vendors. Obviously, nobody should be paying anywhere near the high end of that range. At the $10 to $15 mark where these usually live, the value proposition is hard to beat. You're getting headphones with build quality in the 97th percentile and comfort in the 91st percentile for less than the cost of a fast food meal. The user sentiment score of 78 out of 100 backs this up, with value for money being one of the most mentioned positives across thousands of reviews. If you can snag these for under $15, you're getting a steal. Just don't overpay at a retailer that's marked them up absurdly.
Amazon.co.uk 1 aanbieding Vanaf £ 18
Price History
Lees meer
Overview
The JVC Flats HAS160B are the kind of headphones you grab when you just need something that works without draining your wallet. We're talking about a wired, on-ear set that folds completely flat and weighs next to nothing. At 66 grams, you'll forget you're wearing them, and the flat-folding design means they slide into a backpack pocket without a second thought. This isn't a pair for critical listening sessions or impressing anyone on a Zoom call. It's for plugging into a laptop at the library, keeping a spare pair in your desk drawer, or handing to a kid who destroys earbuds every other week.
Common Questions
Q: Are these headphones good for making phone calls?
No, the microphone on the JVC Flats is one of the weakest points, scoring in the 21st percentile in our database. Owners consistently report that call quality is poor, with muffled voice pickup and significant audio leakage from the on-ear design. If calls are a priority, look at something like the Soundcore Life Q20 instead.
Q: How long is the cable on these headphones?
The cable measures 1.2 meters, which is on the shorter side for desktop use. Several users mention it can be restrictive if your computer is under a desk or far from where you're sitting. It's fine for phone or laptop use where the device is close by, but you might need an extension for a desktop setup.
Q: Do these headphones block out noise well?
They offer decent passive noise isolation thanks to the on-ear design and closed back, but there's no active noise cancellation here. Users report they do a solid job of reducing ambient chatter and background hum without needing batteries, though they won't compete with dedicated ANC headphones for plane travel or noisy offices.
Q: Are the earpads replaceable or comfortable for long sessions?
The earpads are not designed to be user-replaceable, and comfort is a mixed bag. While many find them soft and comfortable for an hour or two, a recurring complaint is that the pads are too small for larger ears and can cause discomfort during extended wear. If you need all-day comfort, over-ear options with larger cups would be a better fit.
Who Should Skip This
If you spend hours on video calls or phone meetings every day, these are not for you. The microphone is genuinely bad, and the sound leakage means your coworkers will hear your audio bleeding out. Grab something with a decent boom mic or at least a better in-line mic instead. Gamers should also pass, the short cable and poor mic make these a non-starter for multiplayer sessions where communication matters.
Anyone with larger ears or who wears headphones for more than a couple hours at a time will likely find the small earpads uncomfortable. The on-ear design clamps enough that fatigue sets in. If all-day comfort is a priority, look at over-ear budget options like the Soundcore Life Q20, which give you more room and better padding for longer sessions.
Verdict
For anyone who needs a disposable but decent pair of wired headphones for travel, school, or office backup duty, the JVC Flats HAS160B are an easy recommendation. The sound is good enough for casual listening, the build quality is shockingly solid for the price, and the flat-folding design means they actually get used instead of tangled at the bottom of a bag. Just keep the volume at reasonable levels and don't expect them to replace your main headphones for critical listening.
If you take a lot of calls or need something for all-day wear, look elsewhere. The mic is a dealbreaker for phone conversations, and the small earpads start to pinch after an hour or two. Gamers should also skip these, the lack of a decent mic and the short cable make them a poor fit for anything beyond single-player sessions. But as a grab-and-go pair for music and videos, they're one of the best values in the budget category.
