Galirity SX-990

Great for music, terrible for calls. The retractable earbuds are the best part, but the mic will make you sound like you're talking through a pillow.

The sound is the big surprise here. Our database puts it in the 29th percentile for audio, which sounds bad, but owners keep praising the music quality. It's a classic case of specs versus real-world use. The bass is punchy enough for workouts, and the stereo separation is fine for podcasts. The retractable earbuds are the real star, though. Pull them out to the length you want, and they snap back with a satisfying click. Just don't expect the ANC to blow you away. It's there, but it's more of a gentle hum reducer than a silence machine.

The Soundcore P31i is the obvious alternative if you want better call quality and a more reliable connection. It costs a bit more, but the mic actually works. The Sony WF-C700N is in a different league for sound and ANC, but you're paying triple the price. The EarFun Air Pro 4+ splits the difference with better battery and a more modern feature set. For pure music on a budget, the SX-990 holds its own. For anything involving your voice, the P31i is the smarter buy.

At $28 USD, this is a no-brainer for music-only use. You get a comfortable neckband, retractable earbuds, and battery life that outlasts most true wireless buds. But the moment you need to make a call, the value evaporates. The mic is muffled, and the connection drops at the worst times. If you're buying this for calls, you're buying the wrong product.

The Galirity SX-990 is a neckband headset that nails the basics for music and comfort, but completely fumbles the mic. If you just want a cheap pair of retractable earbuds to listen to tunes while you work or hit the gym, this thing is surprisingly decent. But if you plan on taking calls, keep scrolling. The sound quality gets a lot of love from owners, and the build feels sturdier than the price suggests, but the call quality is a recurring nightmare.

If you need a headset for calls, meetings, or voice assistants, this isn't it. The mic is muffled, and there's no Siri or Google Assistant support. Go get the Soundcore P31i or spend a bit more on the Sony WF-C700N if you want something that actually works for voice.

The Galirity SX-990 is a great cheap music companion with a fatal flaw: the mic. If you never take calls, buy it and enjoy the retractable earbuds and comfy neckband. If you need a headset for work or calls, this isn't it. The Soundcore P31i is the better all-rounder for a few bucks more.