JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5G

The JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5G delivers shockingly good bass and clear highs for under $10. It's wired only and has no mic, so calls are out. For cheap music on the go, it's a steal.

The 11mm dynamic driver pushes out a 10Hz to 20kHz range with 103 dB sensitivity and a 16Ω impedance. That's easy to drive from any phone or laptop. Sound quality lands in the 63rd percentile, which is solid for the price. Bass is the highlight, rich and punchy without turning everything to mud. Highs stay clear enough to keep vocals and cymbals from disappearing. But the mic score is 11.9 out of 100, one of the worst we've seen. There's no microphone at all, so calls are a non-starter. Connectivity is also rough at the 12th percentile, mostly because it's a wired 3.5mm jack in a Bluetooth world.

Stacked against the JLab GO GO Pop ANC, Baseus Bass BP1 Pro, TOZO Crystal Pods, and Soundcore P20i, the JVC Gumy Plus is the only wired option in the bunch. Those competitors all offer Bluetooth and most have microphones, which makes them better for calls and wireless convenience. But none of them touch the JVC's price. If you want wireless and a mic, the Soundcore P20i is a solid step up. If you just want cheap wired sound, the JVC holds its own.

At USD 8 to USD 10 across US listings, this is impulse-buy territory. The best deal we see is at the low end of that range, so shop around before you click. In Brazil the spread is wild, BRL 93 to BRL 267, so definitely don't pay the high end there. For the price of a couple coffees you get sound that punches way above its weight. Just don't expect a mic or premium build.

The JVC Gumy Plus HAFX5G is a wired in-ear bud that costs less than a fast food combo. It's got a single 11mm dynamic driver, a soft rubber body, and comes with three sizes of silicone tips. Nothing fancy here, just a cheap pair of earbuds that tries to sound better than it should.

And honestly, it mostly pulls that off. The sound is the star, with owners raving about deep bass and clear highs. But there's a catch: no microphone. If you planned to take calls with these, you're out of luck.

Skip these if you need a microphone for calls or video chats, because there isn't one. Also pass if you want wireless earbuds or something that will survive years of heavy daily use. The build quality is mediocre and some owners report they only last a few months.

Buy these if you want a backup pair of wired earbuds that sound way better than they should for under ten bucks. They're great for a gym bag, a desk drawer, or a kid who loses everything. Skip them if you need to take calls or want wireless freedom.