Motorola Earbuds 3-S EARBUDS3-S-WHT

The Motorola Earbuds 3-S are cheap wired buds with a tangle-free cable and decent comfort. But the sound quality is terrible, landing in the 9th percentile, and durability is a common complaint. Only buy these if you need a $12 emergency backup and have zero expectations for music.

The 9.4mm drivers promise 'clear bass sound' but the reality is pretty thin. Our database puts the sound quality in the 9th percentile, which is one of the worst we've seen. Music sounds flat and struggles on both high and low pitches. The mic is mediocre at the 45th percentile, fine for a quick call but not for anyone who needs voice clarity. On the plus side, comfort sits at the 73rd percentile, so they're easy to wear for a while, though some owners report the foam pads cause ear pain after extended use.

Stacked against other budget options, the Earbuds 3-S fall behind fast. The Soundcore P31i or TOZO Crystal Pods will give you wireless freedom and significantly better sound for not much more money. Even Sony's WI-C100 neckband buds, while pricier, are in a completely different league for music. The JBL Endurance Race 2 are built for workouts and will actually survive sweat, unlike these. The only reason to pick the Motorolas is if you absolutely need a wired connection and have almost no budget.

Value is the one thing these have going for them, but it's complicated. The price range across vendors is wild, from $12 all the way up to an absurd $2,112. If you can snag them for around $12 on Amazon, you're getting what you pay for: a disposable pair of backup earbuds. Paying anything more than $20 for this level of sound and build quality is a mistake.

Motorola's Earbuds 3-S are a throwback in a world gone wireless. They're simple, wired earbuds with a flat cable, an in-line mic, and a 3.5mm jack. If you just need something cheap to make your phone's FM radio work or to hop on a quick call, they technically do the job. But that's about where the praise ends.

Anyone who cares about music quality or plans to use these daily should skip them. If you need something durable for workouts, look at the JBL Endurance Race 2. If you just want cheap wireless buds that sound decent, the TOZO Crystal Pods are a much better buy. These Motorolas are a false economy if you have to replace them every other month.

These are backup earbuds for a backup phone, and nothing more. If you need a wired pair to keep in your bag for an emergency call or to activate your phone's FM radio chip, and you find them for $12, fine. But if you plan to listen to music, podcasts, or take regular calls, spend a little more on literally anything else. Your ears will thank you.