KOSS KOSS KE5W Earbuds & In Ear Headphones White Review

For $20, the Koss KE5W deliver solid music sound, but voice audio distorts and the mic is bad. They're a good budget music-only option if you're okay with a wire. Worth it only if that's your exact, specific need.

The Koss KE5W are basic wired earbuds that cost about twenty bucks. They're not trying to be fancy, just a simple way to get sound into your ears from a 3.5mm jack.

They score decently for sound in our database, landing in the 79th percentile. That means for the price, they punch above their weight. But everything else—build, comfort, mic quality—is pretty average or below. These are a no-frills, ultra-portable option.

The sound is the main story here. For music, they're surprisingly capable, with clear highs that reviewers liked. But that strength falls apart for anything with a lot of voice or mid-range, like podcasts or audiobooks, where things can get distorted. The mic quality is predictably bad, scoring in the bottom third, so don't plan on using these for calls. They're wired, so battery life isn't a thing, and the 4-foot cord is fine for most uses.

For twenty dollars, you get exactly what you pay for: a functional pair of music-focused earbuds. The sound performance is legitimately good for the price, which is rare. Just don't expect any extras, comfort miracles, or call quality. If your budget is tight and you just need sound, it's hard to argue with the value. If you can spend even $10 more, you'll open up a lot of better all-around options.

Stacked up, the KE5W are in a different league than wireless buds like the Nothing Ear (a) or Anker Soundcore P3i. Those offer Bluetooth, better mics, and often more balanced sound, but they cost 2-3x more. Against other cheap wired buds, the Koss stands out for its music clarity. But if you need a good mic or listen to a lot of talk audio, even a budget wireless pair will serve you better. It's a trade-off between pure music value on a wire and modern convenience.

Skip these if you take a lot of calls or listen to podcasts and audiobooks. The mic is terrible and voice audio distorts. Also, if you've gotten used to wireless freedom, going back to a 4-foot tether will feel like a step back in time.

Buy these if you need the absolute cheapest way to listen to music on a device with a headphone jack and you don't care about calls. They're a great 'backup pair' or gym beaters. For anyone else—podcast listeners, callers, or people who just hate wires—there are better choices even at a low price.