Samsung Samsung EHS64AVFWE 3.5mm Stereo Headset with Review

A stellar $10 microphone attached to terrible speakers. Buy these only if you live on phone calls and hate spending money. For music, look literally anywhere else.

Look, for $10, these Samsung earbuds are a weird little paradox. They're one of the best cheap wired options for phone calls and comfort, but they're also one of the worst-sounding earbuds we've ever tested for music. The one thing to know is this: you're buying a superb microphone and a comfy fit, not a hi-fi audio experience. If you need a reliable, dirt-cheap headset for work calls or podcasts, this is your guy. If you care about how your music sounds, keep walking.

The performance split here is wild. The microphone ranks in the 96th percentile, which is genuinely impressive for any headset, let alone one this cheap. People on the other end of your calls will hear you crystal clear. But then you get to the sound quality, which lands in the 1st percentile. That's not a typo. Music sounds thin, tinny, and completely lacks any bass. It's a stark reminder that you get what you pay for.

For $10, the value proposition is entirely one-dimensional. It's worth it only if your primary use is voice calls on a budget. For that specific task, it punches way above its weight. For anything else, especially music, it's a complete waste of money, even at this price.

This is where it gets interesting. Compared to other cheap wired buds, these Samsungs destroy them on mic quality and comfort. But if you can stretch your budget to $20-$30, you enter the realm of basic wireless buds like the Nothing Ear (a) or Anker Soundcore options, which will offer vastly better sound and the convenience of Bluetooth. The Sony WF-1000XM5 isn't even in the same universe; that's like comparing a bicycle to a sports car. For call-centric users on a razor-thin budget, this Samsung set has a niche. For everyone else, a slightly more expensive wireless pair is a dramatically better investment.

If you're looking for a pair of earbuds to enjoy music, skip this. Go get a pair of Nothing Ear (a) buds instead—they're wireless, sound infinitely better, and don't cost much more. If you need serious noise cancellation for travel, this isn't it either; save up for something from Sony or Technics.

We can only recommend these with a giant, flashing asterisk. If you need an ultra-budget, wired headset specifically for phone calls, Zoom meetings, or audiobooks, and you prioritize microphone clarity above all else, buy them. They excel at that one job. For any other use—especially listening to music—this is an easy pass. Spend a little more and get a proper pair of earbuds.