JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5P

The JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5P delivers shockingly good bass and clear highs for under USD 10. But there's no microphone, so calls are a non-starter. Grab them as a cheap backup, not a daily driver.

The 11mm dynamic driver covers 10Hz to 20kHz with a 16 ohm impedance and 103 dB sensitivity, so it's easy to drive from basically anything with a headphone jack. Sound lands in the 63rd percentile, which is solid for a budget bud. Bass is the highlight, rich and punchy, with highs that stay clear enough. But calls are a disaster at 11.8 out of 100, because there's no microphone at all. Connectivity also sits near the bottom at the 11th percentile, which makes sense for a wired-only bud in a world full of Bluetooth options. Battery is a non-issue, there isn't one, and that 44th percentile score reflects the wired reality more than any actual flaw.

Against the JLab GO Pop ANC, Soundcore P20i, and Anker V20i, the JVC Gumy Plus loses on features almost immediately. Those competitors bring Bluetooth, mics, and sometimes ANC, while the JVC is a wired relic. But none of them touch the JVC on raw price. The SoundPEATS C30 and TOZO Crystal Pods also offer wireless convenience for not much more. If you want a mic or any modern connectivity, the JVC isn't even in the race. If you want the cheapest decent sound, it wins.

At USD 8 to USD 10 in the US, these are basically impulse-buy territory. The best US deal sits at USD 8, which is absurdly cheap for the sound you get. In Brazil the spread is wild, BRL 93 to BRL 267, so shop around and grab the BRL 93 listing if you can. For a backup pair, a gym beater, or something to toss in a bag, the value is hard to argue with. Just don't expect them to last forever.

The JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5P is a budget wired earbud that leans hard into one thing: cheap, bass-heavy sound. It's an inner-ear take on the classic Gumy line, with a soft rubber body and three silicone tip sizes in the box. No app, no ANC, no charging case. Just a 3.5mm jack and a 1 meter cable.

For the price, the sound is the story. An 11mm dynamic driver pushes deep bass and clear highs that surprise people who spent less than a coffee on these. But the mic situation is a real gotcha. There isn't one. If you planned to take calls, keep walking.

Skip these if you need a microphone for calls or video chats, because there isn't one. Also skip if you want wireless freedom or long-term durability. The build quality is mediocre and many pairs die within a few months. If you need something that lasts more than a season, spend a bit more on the Soundcore P20i or JLab GO Pop ANC.

Buy these if you want a dirt-cheap wired backup with surprisingly fun bass and you never need to take a call. They're perfect for a kid's first pair, a gym bag, or a desk drawer emergency. Anyone who needs a microphone or wireless freedom should look elsewhere. The sound is the only reason to bother, and for the price, it's a good one.