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.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Melkco Herman Series Book Style PU Leather Case With 3 card slot by Melkco

The Good News and the Bad News

The Good News:

-This is a beautiful case, made of soft PU leather. 

-It is well-stitched.

The Bad News (and the most important news for Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus owners):

- It does not fit the phone! 

I tried and I tried and I tried and I cannot get my phone to fit into the plastic mold that holds the phone inside the case.

I have three other phone cases for this phone and all three of them snap right on. I pushed, I pulled and I just tried to force my phone to fit and it just won't.

Cases in this product line for other phones seem to fit, but the Galaxy S6 Edge Plus case does not.

I was sent this case for free in exchange for an honest review. I tried to contact the person who sent me this phone case to find out if there was some sort of manufacturing glitch and if they were willing to send me another one that actually fit. My e-mail was ignored for more than a month.

I rate this case 1 star out of 5.

This product can be found on Amazon.com here: Melkco Herman Series Book Style Phone Case.

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.

Micro USB 2.0 Cable (Android Cell Phone) Cable - 6Ft Yellow by Deego

An extra micro-USB cord is almost a necessity if you use Android devices (this cord is useless if you are wanting to charge Apple-based devices). A lot of devices come with a cord, but those cords can get damaged, wear out or simply get lost. Plus, a lot of cords that come with devices like Bluetooth headsets are very, very short and flimsy.

The length of this cord is its primary strength. It is 6 feet long. This means you can plug it in to a wall charger and not be stuck right next to that charger. In a car, this cord means that you can plug it in to a charger in the front of the car and anyone can use their device while it is charging.

Some USB cords do not allow for data transfer. This cord does.

This company sells not only this single cord, but multi-pack cords in lengths from 3-10 feet.

At the time of this review, this cord costs $1.69 plus a $4.50 shipping and handling charge. Check here for current pricing: Micro USB cable by Deego.

iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth Sweatproof Hiking Earbuds

  Absolutely Excellent!

  The iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth Sweatproof Hiking 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 two 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 very small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is easy to understand but clearly written by someone who is not a native speaker.

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

The sound is very good - extremely clear. The sound is very rich. I used these headphones while watching the Civil War movie Glory - one of my favorite movies and one I have seen close to a hundred times on all kinds of devices.  I heard off-screen dialogue and sounds I have never heard before - not just in one scene but in scene after scene. The bass is very true, but not pumped up like a lot of people like nowadays. 

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 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. 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 iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth Sweatproof Hiking Earbuds cost $25.99. Check for current pricing here: iDeaUSA® Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Sweatproof Earbuds Earphones with Microphone and High-Fidelity Sound via Apt-x, Hand Free Calling and Noise Cancelling for Hiking, Running and Climbing (Black)

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)

AngLink S015 Universal Mini Wireless Hands Free Bluetooth Headset (Golden)

This is Anglink's version of an old classic - the Bluetooth earpiece. This unit, however, does modify the classic Bluetooth earpiece design - and not necessarily for the better.

This single ear bluetooth headset is gold-colored (the instruction book shows three colors but Amazon only features two colors - black and golden) and sports two ear stabilizers for what should be a very good fit. 

Unfortunately, because of the over-the-ear stabilizer I could not actually get the device into my ear all of the way. That stabilizer held the earpiece just short of being fully inserted in my ear. But, if I did not have the stabilizer on the device it would not stay in my ear, especially if I was moving. By moving, I am not talking about anything more strenuous than walking around. So, the entire time that I used the device I was pushing it into my ear and holding it there so I could actually hear the conversation I was having. I felt like Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek TV series who seemed to always be shoving her earpiece into her ear. But, all of this pushing caused another problem as well. The entire outer shell of the device is a button and as I pushed the device into my ear it pushed the button and caused all sorts of things to happen.

When I used the device inside people I called said they could hear my voice very clearly. But, when I was outside the sensitive microphone picked up traffic, birds and everything else and people said that it sounded like I was driving in a car.

I did not use the headset's phone buttons. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone's buttons 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, especially when I was already having a problem with random button-pushing at it was (see the comments two paragraphs above). 

The earpiece comes with two different-sized pieces that go into the ear and a short micro-USB charger cord. I used both earpieces and I still could not get the headset to fit snugly in my ear.

The instruction booklet was clearly written by someone who does not speak English as their first language - but it is perfectly understandable. 

At the time of this review this Bluetooth headset cost $19.99 on Amazon.com You can check here for current pricing: 
AngLink S015 Universal Mini Wireless Hands Free Bluetooth Headset(Golden)

I rate this Bluetooth earpiece 2 stars out of 5.

Note: I received an earpiece for evaluation purposes in exchange for an honest review.

BestFire® Car-Shaped Wireless Bluetooth Speaker With Subwoofer (Red)by BestFire®

Usually I go for speakers that are designed to do the job but not stick out. But, this speaker just grabbed me. Is there any guy that resist a shiny red sports car. This car is the GT by Citroen, a car literally designed for a video game and then brought to the road as a concept car.

This speaker feels like a remote control car when it is picked up. All four wheels roll easily - it will roll off of the table if it is not perfectly level. It measures approximately 10.5 inches long, 5 inches wide and 3 inches tall. When it is playing, the tail lights light up and the headlights blink blue (about two seconds on, two seconds off).

But, how does it work?

This speaker is more than loud enough for a home office space, but it will not shake the walls. Currently, I am listening to it and I found that I had to turn it down - it gets loud enough that I have a hard time writing and listening. If you move the car around, it makes the bass sound more prominent or less prominent. This is not due to electronics, but the simple physics of audio. I found if you tilt the car up on something (like the driver's side wheels on the ground, the passenger side wheels up on a book), which you could easily do in setting it up as a display item on a shelf, it sounds best.

It comes with a replaceable rechargeable battery. The instructions are all one a half-sheet of paper. I used them to get started and then started experimenting. The car is pretty intuitive to operate. 

Everything that comes with the speaker:
1)  the speaker, 2) a combination USB/line-in
cord and a half page instruction sheet.

When you turn it on the car makes a roaring engine sound then there is a voice that speaks to you in Chinese. But, the back window of the car is a digital screen and it says, "HI" in English. Hit the "M" button and you pick the mode you are in: Bluetooth, FM radio or Line-in. The screen identifies them as "blue", the current FM station's numbers you are on (it does remember where you left it, which is a positive) and "Line". As you switch modes the Chinese man comes back and says something. Hit the power button once and it puases (or "PAUS" as the screen calls it), hold it down and it says "OFF" and powers down.

The Bluetooth hooks up easily.

If you are listening to your speaker plugged in to or Bluetoothed to your phone you can use the car as a speaker phone. I asked people how I sounded over the speaker phone (or my "car phone" as I took to calling it) and I was told that I sounded just like normal. I used my phone to answer and call - I hate to use the buttons on a device that is hooked up to my cell phone because while I am looking at the Bluetooth device trying to remember what to do the phone stops ringing. 

This speaker comes in three different colors: red, yellow and blue.

As of the time of this review this speaker cost $58.99 on Amazon. Click here for current pricing: BestFire® Car-Shaped Wireless Bluetooth Speaker With Subwoofer (Red)

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

Kinzd® Waterproof Cell Phone Carrying Pouch with Detachable Lanyard

    You Can Keep on Texting in the Shower!

Cell phones, as a group, are not compatible with water. But, so many people do things around the water that it is just not feasible to never take the phone near water.

This waterproof pouch is a great solution to these problems: 

1) You can see through it so you can check to see who's calling while you are out fishing and screen that call from your spouse telling you it's time to come back in and have lunch with your brother-in-law!

2) You can actually interact with your smartphone through the plastic - touch buttons, etc. so you can keep on texting while you are in the shower!

3) It is truly waterproof. I put a tissue in mine and stuck it in the sink (held down by a bottle) for more than 3 hours and it was perfectly dry - so yes, you can go tubin' and still check your e-mail!

4) The plastic is clear so you can watch online kitten videos all night long and Bluetooth the sound out to a nearby speaker while you are soaking in the hot tub with that special someone!

5) It has a detachable lanyard just in case you like to take selfie videos of while you are water-skiing! Wrap it around your wrist a few times and you can get the perfect video of you wiping out and still not lose your phone!

Seriously, though, it works great. Plus, you can store other stuff in there as well - watches, hearing aids, a Fit Bit or anything else you just don't want to get wet, muddy, dirty, filled with sand or whatever.

I rate this pouch 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free sample for testing purposes. I took it all over Florida on a trip (theme parks, the beach, etc.) and I like it a lot.

As of the time of this review this pouch cost $9.99 on Amazon. Click here to check on current pricing: Kinzd® Waterproof Cell Phone Pouch

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Wireless Stereo Bluetooth

I am currently listening to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 Bluetooth headset. I have reviewed a number of Bluetooth headsets in the last few months and this one has one big thing going for it - its design. 

The problem with Bluetooth headsets is what do you do with the things when you are out and about but you are not actually listening to them and you still want them handy? You could dangle them around your neck, but they could slip off and get lost. If you put them away, they're not very handy. 

SoundPEATS Universal Q800 uses this collar-like device that is very lightweight. They are so lightweight that it is easy to forget that you are wearing them. If you are not using the ear buds, just attach them to the collar with the built-in magnets and the they are tucked out of the way.

The SoundPEATS Universal Q800has excellent range. I had no problem going 20-25 feet from my phone with no skipping out. synced very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 right away (usually the first time is the trickiest time) - so quickly that I thought there was a problem because my phone skipped some of it's normal searching - they found each other and synced up right away.
The sound is very good. It is loud, but not loud enough to block out the normal everyday sounds of life but not loud enough to bother the people sitting beside you. 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.

It comes with two sets of replacement earbuds, a mini-USB charger cord and a replacement anchor that holds to wire to the collar.

The device comes with an excellent built-in phone and my wife said it sounded very clear when I used it.  I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone 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. When someone calls when you are paired to the SoundPEATS Universal Q800 one of the tips of the collar vibrates just in case you are wearing the collar but do not have the earpieces in  It feels like a bug is trying to land on your neck - it gets your attention!. It does the same thing when you wander out of range. When you go back into range it tells you that you are re-connected.

At the time of this writing, this headset costs $24.99 on Amazon.com. Click here to check on current pricing:  Soundpeats Universal Q800 Stereo Bluetooth Headset

I rate this Bluetooth headset 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received a free headset in exchange for an honest review.

Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds (green) by Jadaol

  Great Entry Level Bluetooth Earbuds

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport 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 great graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly written.

The Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3.

What came with the headset. The USB charger cord is not pictured.

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 (my wife said it sounded better than when I talk on the phone the normal way) so what's not to like? I did not use the headset's phone features. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone 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: green, blue and orange.

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

As of the time of this review, the Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport Sweatproof Stereo Earbuds cost $21.99. Check for current pricing here: Jadaol® Bluetooth 4.0 Sport (Green)

Best _Express New 2015 Lightweight Wireless Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds 4.0 Headset (black) by IMMI

     They are affordable and they do the job.

I have used and reviewed plenty of Bluetooth earbuds. Some come in fancy packages (these do not). Some come with fancy plastic casings (these do not). Some come with fancy flat wires (these do not). Some are very expensive (these are not). These are the most basic Bluetooth earbuds I have seen - and they work!

Everything about these earbuds is basic - and there is a place for that. If you are working in an environment that is hostile to tech (wet, very dusty, whatever) your earbuds will fail no matter how expensive they are. At $13.99, these are practically disposable. If you have a middle schooler, this might be a good place to start since they tend to lose stuff easily. Or, if you are like me, I work in a high school where I have seen lots of tech stuff get stolen over the years (phones, wired earbuds, wireless mice, wired mice, projectors, and more) than you don't want to bring a $200 set of Bluetooth earbuds.

But, it's not like these are a bad set of earbuds. They work more than 20 feet away from my phone, the sound is not amazing, but it is every bit as good as most of the earphones and earbuds as I have had in my life. They sound good with audiobooks, too. 

The earphones with a Bic pen for size comparison.

These earbuds pair a little harder than some and a little easier than other earbuds that I have used. Usually it takes two tries to get them to pair.

The ear clips are an issue. If you are going to be doing a lot of moving around you will probably have to use these ear clips. They are made of clear plastic and latch onto the earbuds and then slide over the ear. But, if you have fairly large ears, like me, you may find them to be uncomfortable after a few minutes. If you are not moving around a lot, this will not be an issue.

The phone feature on this headset is tremendous. When I use Bluetooth to talk on my phone I always use the phone 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. But, the sound quality for both the call in and the call out is excellent - much better than on most of the headsets I have tested.

The earbuds come in four different color combinations: black/white, white/white, blue/white and pink/white.

So, to sum up, these are not fancy. They are not an audiophiles dream but they are affordable and they do the job. 

As of the time of this review, these earbuds cost $13.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: Best _Express Lightweight Bluetooth 4.0 Headset

Note: I was sent a free copy of these earbuds for review purposes. in exchange for an honest review.

GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth Earphones (Silver) by GLCON

The GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth Earphones come with a USB cord to plug into a charger or a computer, three ear bud tips and two 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 great graphics but the text is pretty small so you have to squint a little to read it. The English is clearly not written by a native speaker of English but it is easily understood.

The GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two syncs very easily with my Samsung Galaxy 3 but it refused to sync with my Chromebook even though the Chromebook recognized that the GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two was there. 

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.

On top of that, the device comes with an excellent built-in phone (my mom said it sounded better than when I talk on the phone the normal way) so what's not to like?

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

As of the time of this review, the GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two cost $32.99. Check for current pricing here: GLCON Dacom GS-08A Lancer Two Mini Lightweight Bluetooth (Silver)

Mpow® Cobble Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Wireless Headphone Car Earpiece for Smartphones and Bluetooth Devices by Mpow

This is Mpow's newest version of an old classic - the Bluetooth earpiece. This unit features the classic Bluetooth earpiece design - no extending microphones or any wires going to your ear.

The sound is very clear and it stayed connected more than 20 feet away from my phone in my house. The single speaker is designed for voices so if you are an audiophile and you like to listen to music through your smart phone in between calls you are bound to be a little disappointed. I mean, it's not bad, it's just like listening to music on your car stereo if it has one of those "talk radio" settings for the graphic equalizer. On the other hand, it is really a phone - the music is just a nice bonus.

This earpiece will not last an entire workday - it is designed to work for 5 hours straight. But, that is really quite a long time considering how small the battery must be in this lightweight device.

The earpiece comes with two optional over-the-ear hooks and two extra inserts that go into the ear. The over-the-ear hook might not be necessary if you are not moving too much. This earpiece fits me pretty snugly without the hook.

At the time of this review Amazon.com did not have a price for this earpiece. But, you can check here to check for current pricing: Mpow® Cobble Bluetooth 4.0 Headset Wireless Headphone Car Earpiece for Smartphones and Bluetooth Devices

I rate this Bluetooth earpiece 5 stars out of 5.

Note: I received an earpiece for evaluation purposes in exchange for an honest review.

Leegoal(TM) Samsung Galaxy S3/S III Rugged Hybrid Belt Clip Holster Hard Case Cover - Blue

  Cheaply made. Really Cheap.

I like to clip my cell phone to my belt. I just don't like to keep my phone in my pocket for a number of reasons.

The case. See that little piece of metal in the middle? That
little piece of metal makes the clip work. Now, it is
worthless as a belt clip.

When I first bought my Samsung Galaxy 3 I bought a relatively expensive case ($29.99) that featured a holster type cover that clipped to by belt. When I wanted to access the phone I slid it out of the holster and then slid it back when I was done. But, after a year, the clip broke on that case.

So, I turned to Amazon to find an inexpensive replacement. I was not expecting something that would be as nice as the other case nor was I expecting something that would last as long. But, this thing lasted three days before the clip broke. 

Note: the only reason that I bought the case was for the belt clip. When it broke after three days it became a pile of useless plastic bits for me. Worse than useless. 

Pros:

I was told that it would take up to 6 weeks for this case to arrive from China. It arrived in 10 days.

Cons:

It broke after just three days.

I rate this phone case 1 star out of 5. 

Aduro AMPLIFY SB10 Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Headphones / Headset with Built-in Mic by Aduro

        Very Comfortable and Great Sound for the Price.

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. 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.

The Amplify SB10 solves both problems. It is very lightweight and it does not hurt my ears. I have let it sit on my head for hours and they don't hurt.

But, do they work well?

Absolutely. This is a fine set of headphones.

The Bluetooth pairs easily and there aren't a lot of hoops to go through. I just hooked mine up to the Bluetooth after not using them for a couple of weeks and it was easy. Push the power button and the bluetooth button and they were paired before I could even check to see how they were pairing.

The AMPLIFY SB10 with everything that comes in the
package (a charger cord and an easy-to-read
instruction book

Secondly, the sound is great. I currently listening to the old rock standard "The Stroke" by Billy Squier and you can hear the vibration of the bass drum that is pounded on throughout. I have never noticed that before even though I have literally heard this song hundreds of times.

The headphones do not get super loud. I know that some people like to have their headphones so loud that everyone can still hear their music. These headphones will not do that. But, they are loud enough to block out everyone else and immerse you into your own personal world of sound.

The headset comes in four colors: Black, white, red and purple.

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 is excellent. You could use it as a hands-free device while working in the office or around the house.

The only negative I can think of is the fact that it is a headphone and they are just bulky and a pain to carry around when compared to ear buds. But, if you are looking at this review you've pretty much decided that the better sound is worth the inconvenience.

As of the time of this review, the Amplify SB10 headphones cost $29.99 on Amazon. Check here for current pricing: 

Aduro AMPLIFY SB10 Bluetooth Wireless Stereo Headphones / Headset with Built-in Mic

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

I rate these headphones 5 stars out of 5. 

Mpow® Wired Earphone with Remote and Mic Volume Control for iPhone and other Smartphones by Mpow

  Great Value for the Price.

At first glance this is a basic set of earbuds. And, if they were, they would be a great set of earbuds. They have a volume control slider on a little box on the wire, they fit snugly and they sound really good. At $15.99 that sounds about right.

But, this thing also has a phone feature. There's a microphone on the little box with the volume slider and, sure enough, you can talk on your phone through these set of earbuds. And - it sounds good, too! 

This set comes with two extra tips for the earbuds so you can customize the fit a little bit. 

As of the time of this review, these earbuds cost $15.99 on Amazon. To check current pricing click here: Mpow® Wired Earphone with Remote and Mic Volume Control.

Note: I was provided with a complimentary set of earbuds in exchange for an honest review

I rate these earbuds 5 stars out of 5.

DE Lumi Earbuds- Illuminated Light Up headphones

      FUN!

The DE Lumi Earbuds are a decent set of headphones with a twist - they light up and pulse to the beat of whatever you are listening to. 

Now, when I say they light up, I do not mean that you don't need a flashlight if you go out in the dark. But, these would be a good idea if you are walking on the road at night because they would certainly make you more visible. 

They are clearly meant for the younger set - I showed them to my high school-aged daughter and she fell in love immediately. I merely thought they were cute so she is getting the headphones. 

The DE Lumi Earbuds with everything that came in the
package: a mini-USB cord and two extra sets of earbud
tips so it can be customized. 

So, how do they work?

They really do light up and they really do pulse to the beat. The cords are a little thicker than normal and found that I was afraid to fold them up too tight and pinch them for fear of breaking lights. That is not mentioned as a problem in the booklet, but I still had that impression. 

The battery for the lights have to be charged so there is a small plastic box where the headphones split. It has an on/off switch for the lights and a button to answer the phone. It has a small clip to attach the box to a shirt or jacket collar. This stops the weight of the battery from pulling the earbuds from your ear and lets the phone's microphone be close to your mouth.

The headphones are good, but I am not an expert audiophile so I can only tell you that they sound more than adequate for my needs. 

It has a built in phone and I used it in a lengthy conversation while I took my dog for a walk. The phone is excellent. 

This device comes in two colors - blue and green. 

As of the time of this review these earbuds cost $29.99 on Amazon. Click here for current pricing: DE Lumi Earbuds- Sound Reactive Illuminated Light Up Earphones

Note: I received a free set of earbuds in exchange for an honest review.