JVC Wireless Earbud Soft Gumy Wireless Earbud, Violet (HAFX9BTV) by JVC

I've been using these Bluetooth earbuds for 2 months. Generally speaking, I use them to listen to audiobooks, but I have used them to listen to music as well.

These earbuds connect very easily. In my house I was able to get more than 20 feet away from my phone and still be connected. Outside, the range was less - but that has been my experience with every set of Bluetooth headphones. 

They are perfect for spoken voice. They are not bad for music, just not great. They are what you would expect for a set of Bluetooth earbuds.

The manufacturer claims that they take 2.5 hours to fully charge and will work for 5 hours. In my experience that seems about right.

They are very comfortable in the ears and do come with different sized tips for different sized ears. That is pretty standard for ear buds. 

They do not come with any sort of case. I re-used an old case and carried them in it. I would recommend a case rather than just sticking them in your pocket and fishing them back out.

The set comes with a microphone so you can answer the phone without having to shut down the Bluetooth. The microphone is okay, but not great. Good for a short conversation but that's about it.

I rate this Bluetooth earbuds 4 stars out of 5 and they can be found on Amazon.com here: JVC Wireless Earbud Soft Gumy Wireless Earbud, Violet (HAFX9BTV).

Note: I was sent a free set of these earbuds as a part of the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

FORE® Evolution Ear Buds with Built-In Microphone (Transparent Red) by FORE

The FORE Evolution is an entry-level set of wired ear buds. The red speakers are distinctive as is the fact that you can remove them from the wire. I have no idea why you would want to do that, though.

The FORE Evolution with all that it comes with: the ear buds,
the case and the extra ear bud tips.

The sound is good but not amazing. I listened to audiobooks and streaming music on the Chromebook and my phone. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the audio and they are certainly not a bad set of headphones (I own a bad set that are my emergency back up set - these are very good in comparison) - they are just not an amazing set of ear buds. But, then again, they don't cost a ton, either.

They come with a nice little case and two extra ear bud tips.

These ear buds come with a built-in microphone so you can use speak on your phone with them. This is a pretty common thing to add nowadays. When I use them with my phone I am told that I sound slightly worse than if I were using the speaker phone mode on my phone. Not horrible, but I wouldn't recommend having a long conversation while using them.

The only real issue that I have with these ear buds, besides the so-so microphone is the way you have to put them on. They are designed to loop the wire over your ears so that if they get tugged on the wire doesn't just pull the ear bud out of your ear. They do accomplish that goal but it does take some practice to get used to putting them on. You have to put the correct ear bud in the correct ear and they only go in a certain way. Once you learn the trick, it's not that hard but it does take some practice. 

Note: I received a free set of these ear buds in exchange for an honest review. I think these will become my new backup ear buds.

When this review was written, these ear buds cost $15.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: FORE Evolution Ear Buds.

Wired Earbuds with Microphone,Tangle Free Flat Cord Stereo in Ear Headphones with Mic Bass by AIKONSOUND

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

These wired earbuds by AIKONSOUND are a solid entry at the entry level. There is nothing particularly fancy about them except that the flat cord is pretty much tangle free like the manufacturer promises and gold and black color scheme is striking.

These headphones will not compete in a head-to-head with pricey big-named earbuds, but then again you're not shelling out big bucks for this set either. If you lose them or leave them behind in the gym, it's not such a big deal.

Music sounds good, but not great, on these earbuds. Certainly there is nothing to complain about, but also nothing to brag about. I also listened to audiobooks with these earbuds and I thought they were excellent for voice audio.

I used the microphone feature on the headset as a phone and found that it worked quite well. I was told by the people I spoke to that I sounded better than when I am on my speakerphone and almost as good as when I am talking on the phone normally. I did not use any of the buttons on the microphone when I called. I hate all of those tiny buttons so I just my phone's screen to answer. 

The earbuds come with no instructions and no replacement ear tips, which are typically included. The case it comes is striking, but would be impractical to re-use.

Bottom line, great price, better than entry-level headphones you'll get for the same price in a big box store but not fancy. Workaday headphones, for sure.

I rate these headphones 4 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free set of these earbuds in exchange for an honest review. I have been using them for about a month with my phone and two different Chromebooks. I listened to music, audiobooks and watched streaming video with them while assessing them.

As of the date of this review, these earbuds cost $9.58 on Amazon.com. Click here to check out current pricing: AIKONSOUND Tangle Free Wired Earbuds.

Blusmart Bluetooth Headphones V4.1 Wireless Sport Stereo Noise Canceling and Hands Free Headset with Microphone - Black

The Blusmart Bluetooth Headphones are an entry level set, coming in at the time of this review at $9.99 on Amazon (check here for current pricing).

The package comes with a charging cord, two extra earpieces and one extra set of ear anchors. There is an extensive instruction book that is easy to understand but clearly not written by a native speaker of English.

My family tested this headset extensively over the last 6 weeks. We used when walking the dog and working around the house. We listened to music and audiobooks and found it to do a workman-like job. The performance is not particularly exceptional, but it is not bad either. Very middle-of-the-road.

We connected it to three different model Samsung phones and a Chromebook. The only time we had difficulty pairing was with the Chromebook but that is pretty normal for the Chromebook - it generally has a hard time finding new devices.

I used the device as a phone and found its microphone to be very sensitive. It works great if you are in a quiet environment, but people I talked to could hear when I was doing things like shuffling through papers and said that it sounded as though I were wadding them up instead. I cannot imagine that this would work well in a car or another loud environment. I did not use features of the headset to make calls, I typically just connect it and use the phone normally so that I don't have to fumble around with the headset. 

For the price, this is a great headset. I rate it 4 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free sample of this headset so that I could write a fair review.

In-Ear Stereo Headphone with Mic Remote Control (Black) by Comsoon

Long Term Review

I teach high school and all day long I see students wad up their ear buds and shove them in their pocket. Later, they reach into their pocket and fish out some part of the earbuds and then yank them out. They also let the ear buds bounce along the ground behind them while they are walking around staring at their text messages. Knowing that this is fairly typical behavior and not good for the long-term well-being of a set of ear buds, these earbuds by Comsoon are an affordable alternative to most name brand sets.

Most importantly, these ear buds produce quality music. No matter how affordable, I would have to count down if the performance was not there. This is not a case of "These headphones produce good music considering how affordable they are." No, they produce good music. Period.

I have been using them off and on for the last two months to listen to a variety of sound such as music, streaming video, and audiobooks. They have a rich sound. The music does not sound tinny and puny like a bad set of earbuds can sound. Entry level personal headsets have gotten so much better in the last few years and this set demonstrates that well.

The phone feature is excellent as well.  I have not used the headset's phone features (the buttons on the little box on the wire). When I use a set of headphones to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons on a device hanging around my neck. When I have used the phone feature on this set of headphones I have asked the person I was calling how I sounded. They were surprised that I was speaking through a set of headphones - they sounded that good.

These are extremely light weight and very comfortable. There are two ways to wear these ear buds. One is the traditional way - just stick them in your ear. But, these ear buds also come with an adapter so that you can wear them in an environment where a there something might tug on the cord and they won't pull out of your ear, like if you are cleaning out the garage. The adapters are very easy to add and remove from the cord and they make the wire go up over your ear so that a tug on the cord will pull on the top of your ear and not pull the ear bud out of your ear. The adapters are very comfortable and very flexible.

The set also comes with little clip so that you can clip it to the front of your shirt to prevent a little tug from pulling the whole set out of your ears.

The cord is coated with plastic that has a little grip to it. It serves to make it fairly hard to tangle. It's not impossible to tangle these ear buds, but it rarely happens and when it does, it's not bad.

The package comes with one plug and play set of ear buds and four different sizes of ear tips. The set comes with a hard plastic case that would make a fantastic carry case except for that it is unhinged. I put a rubber band around it and have used it as a carry case.

Three colors are available: black, gold and silver. Only the ear buds themselves are different colors - not the wires or the controller

At the time of this review this headset cost $9.99 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: In-Ear Stereo Headphone with Mic Remote Control (Black) by Comsoon.

Note: I received a free set of these ear buds in order to make a fair and honest review after testing them out. In this case I used them for six weeks and will gladly save them back for one of my own children to use after they destroy a set of ear buds with the behaviors I described above in the first paragraph.

Atech PAE001 Sweatproof Bluetooth Stereo Headset (black) by PowerLead

The Altech PAE001 Sweatproof Bluetooth Stereo Headset by PowerLead comes with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer. It is sort of a hybrid headset - similar to the LG horseshoe shaped headsets but not really that bit or elaborate. When you are not using the headset, you can rest this set on the back of your neck fairly safely - not as well as the LG headset but still it sits there for a while.

The instruction book has no graphics and the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written and easy to understand, although it is obvious that it was not written by a native speaker of English.

The Altech PAE001 Sweatproof Bluetooth Stereo Headset by PowerLead synced very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 6. When I have gone back and re-paired it with my phone it is surprisingly quick. 

The sound is very good. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard - but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either. Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a good deal.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

The device comes with a good built-in phone.  I did not use the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

Note: the earbuds on this device are in the "conch" style - like iPhone and Samsung earphones. Normally, I have trouble with that style and I assume that I am not the only one. I was able to work these in pretty well, however.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, the Altech PAE001 Sweatproof Bluetooth Stereo Headset by PowerLead cost $29.99. Check for current pricing on Amazon.com here: Atech PAE001 Sweatproof Bluetooth Stereo Headset by PowerLead

AUKEY Wired In-Ear Headphones Moving-Coil Headset

As a general rule, I like wired headphones better than Bluetooth headphones. They sound a little better and they are much easier to set up (they don't have to be paired, etc.).

These AUKEY wired headphones have a different type of cord. They are a type of braided plastic and pretty much stay tangle free as well as have a unique, eye-catching look. The cord is very long - long enough that I could put my phone in the pocket of my shorts and not have the cord tug the earphones out of my ear.

They also have a unique style of earpiece. You have to run the wire up and over your ear to get the earpiece in your ear. Once you screw it in your ear just right it sounds pretty good. I found that I have to spend entirely too long to get it to fit for my tastes. You remember what I said about it taking too long to pair Bluetooth headphones? I feel the same way about headphones that have to go into my ear in a certain special way.

The headphones come with two extra sets of ear tips so you can adjust them to fit your particular ears, an instruction book, a two year warranty. It also comes with a case which I think is important for the long term health of your earphones. The case will stop them from getting tangled around stuff in your pocket or your backpack and getting torn up. 

So, how do they sound? Quite good. I have no absolutely no complaints about the sound. I have used them to listen to music and to audiobooks and they make quality sound.

I rate these headphones 4 stars out of 5.

At the time of this review these headphones cost $19.99. Click here for current pricing: AUKEY Wired In-Ear Headphones Moving-Coil Headset.

Note: I received a free set of headphones in order to make an honest review. I will be keeping these for my teenage daughter who has a way of wearing out headphones.

Bluetooth 4.1 Super Bass Magnetic Headphones(Red) by TechStick

These Bluetooth headphones from TechStick come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, two sets of earbud tips, two winged anchors in case you want to wear them while working out, and a clip to tie up the excess cord, if you desire. There is also a little storage case you can put in a purse or a backpack.

But, the biggest thing that they have is a different approach to how you store them when you are not using them but don't want to put them in the case. 

Usually people sort of gently wad up their Bluetooth headsets and stick them in a pocket even though it makes no sense to do that if you think about it. The wires get bent too much, the earbuds get pulled on too much when you pull them out of the pocket and can come lose. And those earbud tips! They get pulled off and then you can't even listen to your headset until you get them replaced. 

LG came up with a giant plastic U-shaped device that sits around the neck that is fairly popular. I have tried that type of headset twice and I just wasn't impressed either time. After a while it gets on your nerves hanging there. 

Shown with the two magnetic ends put together.

This device features the best of both worlds. You can take it off, wad it up and stick it in your pocket. Or, you can take the two ear pieces and stick them together with their magnetic tips and leave it around your neck. The entire device weighs next to nothing so, likely as not, you'll forget that they are around your neck and wander around the house wondering where you left them. 

The sound is very good and very rich. Quite good considering that this is an entry level Bluetooth headset.

The device comes with an built-in phone that sounded just so-so. I was perfectly understandable, but a little worse than if I were using the speaker phone setting on my phone. I did not use the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

They come in two colors schemes: red or black.

Note: I received a discounted sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, these Bluetooth earbuds cost $22.99. Check for current pricing here: Bluetooth Magnetic Headphones by TechStick.

Edifier P220 In-Ear Headset with Microphone - Black

I teach high school and all day long I see students wad up their ear buds and shove them in their pocket. Later, they reach into their pocket and fish out some part of the earbuds and then yank them out. They also let the ear buds bounce along the ground behind them while they are walking around staring at their text messages. Knowing that this is fairly typical behavior and this behavior is not very good for the long-term well-being of a set of ear buds, the Edifier P220 is an affordable alternative to most name brand sets.

Most importantly, these ear buds produce quality music. No matter how affordable, I would have to count down if the performance was not there. This is not a case of "These headphones produce good music considering how affordable they are." No, they produce good music. Period.

I have been using them for the last month or so to listen to a variety of sound such as music, streaming video, and audiobooks. They have a rich sound. The bass is strong, but not overwhelming. The highs are strong, but the music does not sound tinny. They can easily get loud enough to completely drown out the outside world if you choose to do so. Entry level personal headsets have gotten so much better in the last few years and this set demonstrates that well.

These are extremely light weight and very comfortable.

The earphones feature a microphone option so listeners who are streaming over their phones can answer the phone and use the headset as a "hands free" option. My experience with the microphone was a mixed bag. I could hear the people I was talking to perfectly but my voice was muffled. Understandable, but not comfortable for the person I was talking to, no matter how I maneuvered the microphone.

The package comes with one plug and play set of ear buds and three different sizes of ear tips.

I rate these headphones 4 out of 5 stars. I took off a point for the poor quality of the phone unit.

At the time of this review this headset cost $22.90 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: Edifier P220.

Note: I received a free set of these ear buds in order to make a fair and honest review after testing them out. In this case I used them for a month and will gladly save them back for one of my own children to use after they destroy a set of ear buds with the behaviors I described above in the first paragraph.

Bluetooth Sport Headset with FM Radio, Microphone (Orange) by AIKONSOUND

As a rule, I am not a fan of the bigger over the head type of headphones. Although the sound is always awesome, eventually the weight of the headphones themselves becomes an issue or they phones themselves start to hurt my ears and the top of my head.. Not the inside of my ears - the outside part, where the headphones are sitting and rubbing. I don't know if it's because they pinch too tight (I have a large head) or what - but they start to hurt.

This set of headphones by AIKONSOUND solves all three of these problems. It is very lightweight and it does not hurt my ears or the top of my head.

But, do they work well?

Absolutely. This is a fine set of headphones.

The Bluetooth pairs easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and my wife's Galaxy 4. Very easy - we didn't even bother to check the instructions.

Pros:

-Comfortable fit;

-Easily pairs with Bluetooth;

-The buttons are all easy to operate;

-Comes with an optional wired feature. If you have a wire with two male ends you can plug the headphones into a non-Bluetooth device. The headphones DO NOT come with a wire;

-The headphones also come with a mini-USB cord that you can plug into your computer to charge the device;

-The headphones come with an FM radio that sounds very good.

-Most importantly, the music sounds great, even when turned up very loud! Voice also sounds great (I listen to audiobooks).

Cons:

The set includes a telephone feature so you can answer the phone while wearing them without having to undo all of the Bluetooth connections. The phone feature sounds horrible;

-When you turn on the earphones there is a heavily accented voice that is speaking English. I don't know how many times I have heard her voice and I simply cannot make out the entire sentence she is saying. I guess it doesn't really matter since I pair it just fine without the device coaching me but still...

-The instruction manual is written in broken English. Read it with a sense of humor and always remember that the "blue dictator light" is the "blue indicator light"! 

Note: I received a set of these headphones for review purposes in exchange for an honest review.

I rate this set of headphones 4 stars out of 5.

This set of headphones cost $26.99 at the time of this review. Click here for current pricing: Bluetooth Sport Headset with FM Radio, Microphone (Orange) by AIKONSOUND.

Vomach Headphone with In-Line Microphone, Noise-Isolating Anti-Tangle Flat Wire, 47.25 Inch (1.2M) long cord (Sleek Black)

A great set of headphones. 

I bet your kids are bugging you about headphones on a pretty regular basis. They listen to them non-stop and they pretty much treat them like garbage. They drag them on the ground, they wad them up and shove them in their pockets. They jerk them back out of their pockets by the first piece they grab. It's not pretty.

Photo by DWD.

But it gets a lot prettier when those headphones cost you only $9.99.

For $9.99 you get a pretty good deal:

#1) Non-tangling cord. Seriously, this cord doesn't get tangled.

#2) Turn your phone into a hands-free device. The phone setting on these headphones is excellent.

#3) Dependability. Take care of these headphones and they'll take care of you. My daughter has been using these headphones for nearly two months after I used them off and on for nearly another month. She stores them in an old protective case when they are not being used, which is pretty rare. She almost always has at least one earbud in an ear.

But, it is not all perfect.

The reason that my daughter even has the headphones is the fact that I cannot get the "conch" design earbuds in my ear no matter how I try. It's not just these particular earbuds - it's the style - they just don't fit into my ears. I figure I am not the only one with this problem so I deducted a point.

I rate these earbuds 4 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, these earbuds cost $9.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Vomach headphones.

Note: I received a set of these earbuds at a substantial discount so that I could write an unbiased review.

Atalanta® 3.5mm Audio Stereo Y Splitter Cable

Audio splitters are amazingly useful if you are traveling with another person and watching video or listening to audio. You might think you can get by with a simple pair of earbuds shared between two people, but an audio splitter gives you both the ability to immerse yourself in the movie or song with both ear.

I plan on using it in my classroom when my students work in stations and listen to audio activities or watch a short online video.

Not only does it look sharp, it works perfectly. 

I rate this device 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, this splitter was being sold on Amazon.com for $6.99. Click here for current pricing: Atalanta Splitter Cable.

Note: I received a discounted sample in order to write an honest review.

iSens beevo IS1 Tangle Free In-ear Wired Earphone Earbud Stereo Bass with Inline Microphone by iSens

Long-Term Review. Result? Fantastic!

I teach high school and all day long I see students wad up their ear buds and shove them in their pocket. Later, they reach into their pocket and fish out some part of the earbuds and then yank them out. They also let the ear buds bounce along the ground behind them while they are walking around staring at their text messages (Yes, those $75+ Beats by Dre earbuds you bought your kid last month just might be bouncing down the stairs at school!). Knowing that this is fairly typical behavior and not good for the long-term well-being of a set of ear buds, the iSens beevo 1S1 is an affordable alternative to most name brand sets.

Most importantly, these ear buds produce quality music. No matter how affordable, I would have to count down if the performance was not there. This is not a case of "These headphones produce good music considering how affordable they are." No, they produce good music. Period.

I have been using them for the last three months to listen to a variety of sound such as music, streaming video, and audiobooks. They have a rich sound. The bass is very strong, but not overwhelming. The highs are strong, but the music does not sound tinny. They can easily get loud enough to completely drown out the outside world if you choose to do so. Entry level personal headsets have gotten so much better in the last few years and this set demonstrates that well. I have tested a lot of headphones in the last couple of years and this is one of my favorite sets. 

These are extremely light weight and very comfortable.

The cord is a tangle free and when I say that I don't just mean that it is designed to be tangle free, I mean that unless you set out to make a mess of this cord it is tangle free.

The phone feature is excellent as well. I have used this to talk on the phone as a "hands free device" while driving - I just plug in one of the earbuds and I am good to go. I have not used the headset's phone features (the buttons on the little box on the wire). When I use a set of headphones to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons on a device hanging around my neck.

The package comes with one plug and play set of ear buds and three different sizes of ear tips and a set of instructions. I used the small box it came in as a storage container in my briefcase rather than sticking it in my pocket (go back to the first paragraph to see why).

Note: I received a free set of these ear buds in order to make a fair and honest review after testing them out. In this case I used them for three months until I reluctantly gave the set one of my own children to use after she damaged a set of ear buds - hopefully not with the behaviors I described above in the first paragraph.

At the time of this review this set of headphones cost $12.99 on Amazon.com. Click here for current pricing.

SoundPEATS B10 3.5mm Headphones In-ear Wired Earphones Earbuds - Black

I teach high school and all day long I see students wad up their ear buds and shove them in their pocket. Later, they reach into their pocket and fish out some part of the earbuds and then yank them out. They also let the ear buds bounce along the ground behind them while they are walking around staring at their text messages. Knowing that this is fairly typical behavior and not good for the long-term well-being of a set of ear buds, the SoundPEATS B10 are an affordable alternative to most name brand sets.

Most importantly, these ear buds produce quality music. No matter how affordable, I would have to count down if the performance was not there. This is not a case of "These headphones produce good music considering how affordable they are." No, they produce good music. Period.

I have been using them for the last six weeks to listen to a variety of sound such as music, streaming video, and audiobooks. They have a rich sound. The bass is strong, but not overwhelming. The highs are strong, but the music does not sound tinny. They can easily get loud enough to completely drown out the outside world if you choose to do so. Entry level personal headsets have gotten so much better in the last few years and this set demonstrates that well.

These are extremely light weight and very comfortable.

The package comes with one plug and play set of ear buds and three different sizes of ear tips. I have continued to use the small box it came in as a storage container in my briefcase.

At the time of this review this headset cost $9.99 on Amazon.com. Check here for current pricing: SoundPEATS B10 3.5mm Headphones In-ear Wired Earphones Earbuds - Black.

Note: I received a free set of these ear buds in order to make a fair and honest review after testing them out. In this case I used them for six weeks and will gladly save them back for one of my own children to use after they destroy a set of ear buds with the behaviors I described above in the first paragraph.

Smart i9 Bluetooth 4.1 Magnetic Wireless Headphones by SmartOmni

Great Set of Entry-Level Bluetooth Earbuds.

The Smart i9 Bluetooth 4.1 Magnetic Wireless Headphones by SmartOmn come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, two sets of earbud tips. But, the biggest thing that they have is a different approach to how you store them when you are not using them. 

Usually people sort of gently wad up their Bluetooth headsets and stick them in a pocket even though it makes no sense to do that if you think about it. The wires get bent too much, the earbuds get pulled on too much when you pull them out of the pocket and can come lose. And those earbud tips! They get pulled off and then you can't even listen to your headset until you get them replaced. 

Everything that comes in the box. The magnetic tips
are attached to one another in this photo.

LG came up with a giant plastic U-shaped device that sits around the neck that is fairly popular. I have tried that type of headset twice and I just wasn't impressed either time. After a while it gets on your nerves hanging there. This device features the best of both worlds. You can take it off, wad it up and stick it in your pocket. But, you can take the two ear pieces and stick them together with their magnetic tips and leave it around your neck. The entire device weighs next to nothing so, likely as not, you'll forget that they are around your neck and wander around the house wondering where you left them. When you attach the magnetic ends to each other the music you are playing goes into pause mode.

This headset is not designed to be a workout headset. The earbuds fit nicely into your ear and are extremely comfortable but would quickly work themselves loose if you wore them running.

The instruction book has good graphics but the text is very small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written and easy to understand, although it is obvious that it was not written by a native speaker of English.

The Smart i9 Bluetooth 4.1 Magnetic Wireless Headphones syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and an Android tablet. 

The sound is very good. It has a very rich sound. Almost deep, approaching the sound you get with much more expensive headsets. I was truly surprised when I first heard it.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone.  I did not use the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

They come in two colors schemes: Dark Slate Gray with black wire and Gold with white wires.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, these Bluetooth earbuds cost $29.99. Check for current pricing here:Bluetooth 4.1 Magnetic Wireless Headphones Smart i9 by SmartOmni Dark Slate Gray)

GRDE Retractable Earbuds Bluetooth Headphone

For a while now these over-the-neck style headphones have been out. They solve the problem with what to do with your Bluetooth earbuds when you are not actually listening to them. If you just let a regular set dangle around your neck they could easily get lost. If you stick them in your pocket they are not convenient and could get damaged. LG came up with the original design that lets the earbuds just stay safely around your neck when not in use. I tried an LG headset out and I only gave it 3 out of 5 stars. See my review of it here: LG HBS-800. This headset corrects one of the problems I had with the LG headset and introduces a much simpler interface system but there are still problems.

The sound quality is middle of the road. Not exceptional but not bad, either.

The device comes in four different colors: silver, gold, pink and black.

Pros:

-The easy on/off switch dispenses with the typical "hold and keep holding until you get a reaction" buttons that most Bluetooth headsets use. This is much simpler, especially if you are leaving them on around your neck. The device vibrates when you turn it on and turn it off.

-The Bluetooth pairs easily.

-The LG system uses lightweight magnets to hold the earbuds to the end of their device. This one uses a retractable system. Pull the earbuds out to the length that you want. Push a button and the wire retracts. 

The headset with everything that comes in the box:
a micro-USB cord, its instruction manual and two ear-tip replacement

-The phone works very well through this headset. I used the phone itself to call because I do not like using the buttons on a headset and having to try to memorize where all of the buttons are. When the phone rings when it is paired to this device the headset vibrates.

Cons:

-The headset is actually tight around my neck. I am not a thin guy but this was a new one for me. I would not be comfortable with long-term use of this headset out of fear of breaking the collar by forcing it open to get around my neck. If I had purchased it I would have returned it but I received a free copy in order to write an honest review.

Final thoughts: This headset gets 3 stars out of 5. 1 star was taken away for the "okay but not great" speakers. 1 star was taken away for being tight around my neck.

At the time of this review this Bluetooth headset cost $34.99. Check here for current pricing on Amazon.com: Retractable Earbuds Bluetooth Headphone.

iGearPro Bluetooth Headphone

Great Headphones

  The iGearPro Bluetooth Headphone comes with a micro-USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, three sets of ear bud tips, three sets of different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit and a little plastic device to take up the slack in the connecting cord, if you decide you would like to do that. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The headset is described as being compatible for exercising. It is true so far as the plug that protects the charger port is very snug (I have to use the tip my pocket knife to pry it out every time) so it is about as sweat resistant as a piece of consumer electronics can be. But, if you want something to wear while jogging or doing aerobics, this set would probably work its way out of your ears pretty easily. It would be great for walking, hiking or working out on piece of equipment.

The text in the instruction manual is very small and printed with a light colored ink so that you have to squint to read it. The English is easy to understand and is much better than you usually find in an electronics manual.

The iiGearPro Bluetooth Headphone syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and my Chromebook. The device tells you when it has powered on. Continue to hold the power button and it tells you that it is pairing. Push it again and it tells you that is powering off. 

The sound is very good - extremely clear and rich. The bass is true, but not pumped up like a lot of people like nowadays. The highs are not tinny. They get loud enough that you can easily drown out the surrounding world.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-35 feet from my Chromebook with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone.  I am told that I sound like I am speaking into the phone normally and not like it is on speaker phone. I have not used the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review. This is an excellent set of Bluetooth ear buds.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, the iGearPro Bluetooth Headphone cost $28.99. Check for current pricing here: iGearPro Bluetooth Headphone - Noise Canceling Headphones - Wireless Bluetooth

Voix Enhanced Bass Music Wired Ear Buds - Grey

As I am writing this review I am listening to Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor being played on a pipe organ. I know that most people would use hard rock music to test the bass, but I have found that this song tells you all that you need to know. The version I was listening to was played on a massive pipe organ and if you have never sat next to a very large pipe organ you have no idea of the depth of the bass and the strength it sends out across the sanctuary. Listen to what I was listening to here. 

The extraordinary bass of the Voix Enhanced Bass Ear Buds conveys that overwhelming bass amazingly well. My head feels like I am listening to it live - the song just permeates by entire range of hearing and, no, I am not listening to it with the sound all jacked up (just sort of jacked up because this is a great version of this song).

So, here's what you get with these earbuds: 

-a metal carrying case not unlike an Altoids case but without the hinged lid.

-three sets of earbud tips to customize your fit.

-An amazing set of metal (not plastic) ear buds for the price.

-Instructions with clear illustrations.

-Plus, almost as a bonus these ear buds can also be used to talk on your smart phone. Just plug them in and talk away. I used the phone controls on my phone and I was told that I sounded great - just like I was using my phone normally.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a set of these ear buds in order that I may evaluate them and give an honest review. Honestly, these things will rock your musical world and won't empty your wallet.

At the time of this review the Voix Enhanced Bass Ear Buds cost $16.99 on Amazon. Click here for current pricing: Voix Enhanced Bass Ear Buds Grey

iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones, Sweatproof Running Earbuds (black)

The iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones, Sweatproof Running Earbuds come with a little bag to put everything in, a micro-USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, three sets of ear bud tips and three sets of different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The instruction book has plenty of good graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written and easy to understand - much better than what is normally found in instruction booklets for electronics.

The iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones, Sweatproof Running Earbuds syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and my Chromebook. The phone quickly and easily re-pairs with a device once you have paired with it - it is surprisingly quick. 

The sound is very good. The bass is good but not great. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard - but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either. Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a pretty good deal. 

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 25-30 feet from my Chromebook with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone.  I did not use the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, the iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones, Sweatproof Running Earbuds cost $39.99. Check for current pricing here: iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Headphones, Sweatproof Running Earbuds(Black)

Mpow Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds

 Solid Set of Entry-Level Earbuds.

The Mpow Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, six sets of ear bud tips and three sets of different-sized ear stabilizers so you can customize how they fit. Even though those ear stabilizers look horribly uncomfortable, they really are quite comfortable and very stable once you get them all screwed in (and I do mean screwed in - you think it has to be in all the way and then you twist a little bit more and then it all fits perfect!).

The instruction book has no graphics and the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written and easy to understand, although it is obvious that it was not written by a native speaker of English.

What came in the package: The headset, a fairly long USB charger
cord to plug into a computer, 6 sets of "ear anchors", 3 sets of ear
bud tips and the instruction booklet. 

The Mpow Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 and my Chromebook. The phone quickly and easily re-pairs with a device once you have paired with it - it is surprisingly quick. 

The sound is very good. It is not the best stereo sound I have ever heard - but this is not a top end head set that can set you back hundreds of dollars, either. Considering the price and the convenience of Bluetooth it is a good deal.

This set of Bluetooth earphones has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone.  I did not use the headset's phone features (the buttons on the headset). When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone itself rather than the headset features to interact (meaning I answer using the phone and hang up using the phone, etc.) because I just find it easier than blindly pushing buttons.

They come in three colors schemes: fluorescent green/black, blue/black and seafoam green/white.

Note: I received a free sample of this set of ear buds in exchange for an honest review.

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

As of the time of this review, the Mpow Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds cost $29.99. Check for current pricing here: Mpow Swift Bluetooth 4.0 Wireless Sport Headphones