JVC HAEB75R

The JVC HAEB75R is a cheap, wired, ear-hook sports bud that stays put during workouts and shrugs off sweat. Sound is average and call quality is terrible, but comfort is solid. Worth it only if you need a no-frills gym beater under EUR 30.

Sound sits at the 61st percentile, which is about average, and the bass-boosting earpieces paired with that 13.5mm driver give it some thump for workouts. But don't expect detail or clarity. The 16Ω impedance means it's easy to drive from a phone, which is nice. Connectivity is a weak spot at the 13th percentile, which makes sense since it's wired and offers no modern conveniences. The mic is even worse at the 12th percentile, so calls are basically a lost cause. Battery is a non-factor at the 45th percentile because there isn't one, it's wired. Build quality lands at the 34th percentile, so don't expect these to survive being tossed in a gym bag for years.

Stacked against the Nothing Buds 2, Soundcore P31i, or Anker Space A40, the JVC looks ancient. Those competitors offer Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, better mics, and far superior sound, but they also cost significantly more. The Baseus Bass BP1 Pro and TOZO Crystal Pods are closer in spirit, budget wireless buds with bass focus, but they still beat the JVC on connectivity and convenience. The JVC's only real edge is the ear-hook fit and the fact that it never needs charging. If you're okay with wires and just want something that stays put, it's fine. Otherwise, spend a bit more and get something from this decade.

At EUR 15 to 30 across four European listings, this is a budget pick through and through. The spread is notable, with prices varying by EUR 15 depending on the vendor. If you're in Germany, Spain, France, or Italy, shop around because the cheapest listing is half the price of the priciest one. For that money, you get a splash-proof, secure-fitting wired bud that does the basics. But you're also getting bottom-tier call quality and no wireless features. It's worth it only if you need a cheap gym beater and already have a phone with a headphone jack.

The JVC HAEB75R is a wired, ear-hook style sports earbud that clearly targets runners and gym-goers who hate when buds fall out mid-set. The adjustable clip has five positions, so you can dial in a secure fit, and the splash-proof design means sweat won't kill them. At 32 grams with a 13.5mm neodymium driver, it's a simple, no-frills option in a market obsessed with wireless everything.

But the scores tell a rough story. Total score lands at 30.1 out of 100, with music at 29.3 and calls at a brutal 12.4. Comfort is the only real bright spot at the 73rd percentile. This is a budget wired bud for people who prioritize fit and price over sound quality or features.

Skip these if you need wireless connectivity, decent call quality, or sound that does more than just pump bass. Also skip if you don't have a headphone jack on your phone, because dealing with dongles defeats the purpose of a cheap gym bud. And if you're rough on gear, the flimsy build at the 34th percentile means these probably won't last long in a crowded gym bag.

Buy this if you're a runner or gym rat who destroys earbuds, hates Bluetooth pairing, and just needs something cheap that won't fall out. The adjustable ear hooks are genuinely useful, and the splash-proof rating means sweat won't be a death sentence. But if you care about sound quality, taking calls, or not dealing with tangled wires, skip it. This is a single-purpose tool, and it's honest about that.