Philips A1105BK

The Philips A1105BK nails comfort with a 95th percentile score, making them a top-tier choice for a secure workout fit. But that's where the good news ends. A terrible call quality score of 24 and a cheap build make these a tough sell unless you find them for under $20 and only need them for the gym.

Let's be real, you're not buying these for critical listening. The 15mm neodymium drivers push out a sound profile that's best described as 'energizing bass,' which is marketing speak for a V-shaped curve that thumps but leaves the mids a bit hollow. Our sound score lands in the 69th percentile, so it's solidly average. You'll get the motivation you need from a workout playlist, but don't expect to pick out subtle details in a podcast. The built-in mic is the real letdown, scoring a 24. That puts it firmly in 'disappointing' territory. Your voice will sound distant and muffled to the person on the other end, so you'll want to pull these out and use your phone directly for any important calls. The wired connection is reliable, but a 36th percentile connectivity score reflects the lack of any modern features like Bluetooth multipoint or a companion app.

Stacked against the competition, the A1105BK's singular focus on fit becomes clear. The JBL Endurance Race 2 offers a similar sporty, secure design but brings true wireless freedom and a much more durable, IP67-rated build. If you want to stay wired on a budget, the Soundcore P31i will likely give you a more balanced sound and better mic performance. The JLab JBuds Pods ANC even throws active noise cancelling into the mix for a similar price, making the Philips's lack of features feel like a bigger sacrifice. You're really only picking the A1105BK if the ear-hook design is your absolute top priority and you find it for under $20.

Pricing on these is all over the map, with a wild spread from $18 to $4480 across vendors. Let's be clear: anyone paying triple digits for these is getting a terrible deal. At the low end, around $18, the value proposition starts to make sense if you only care about a secure fit and can ignore the flaws. But even then, you're getting a wired-only bud with poor call quality and a build that doesn't inspire confidence. The budget score of 43.5 out of 100 confirms this isn't a value king, even at its cheapest.

The Philips A1105BK lands in a weird spot. Its comfort score is a genuine standout, hitting the 95th percentile, which means these are some of the most secure and easy-to-wear workout buds we've tested. That's the headline, and for a pair of fitness-focused ear hooks, it's a big deal. But the rest of the numbers tell a different story. The overall score sits at 36.6 out of 100, dragged down by a call quality score of just 24 and a build quality that's in the bottom third of our database. You're basically trading everything else for that one great fit.

Anyone who plans to take phone calls with their headphones should look elsewhere immediately. A call quality score of 24 is a dealbreaker. You should also skip these if you want a premium feel or long-term durability, as the build quality is in the bottom 35th percentile. And if you've already cut the cord and gone fully wireless, these wired buds with a 1.2m cable will feel like a step back in time.

The Philips A1105BK is a one-trick pony, but it's a pretty good trick. The 95th percentile comfort score means these ear hooks will stay locked in place no matter how intense your workout gets. If that's the only thing you care about and you can snag them for around $18, they're a functional, no-frills option. For everyone else, the abysmal call quality, cheap build, and lack of wireless connectivity make the many competing options a much smarter buy.