If you want a tool to remove a broken headphone plug from a laptop’s 3.5 mm jack, choose GripperX Headphone Plug Extraction; if you need wireless earbuds for everyday listening on a laptop, choose QCY MeloBuds N65. They solve different problems: one is a specialized repair tool, while the other is a listening and calling device. For regular laptop audio, QCY is the practical choice; GripperX makes sense only when a broken plug is lodged in the jack.
• GripperX’s biggest strength: It is designed to pull a broken headphone plug tip out of a 3.5 mm jack, including one on a laptop. Trade-off: It is a cautious, single-use tool, and improper insertion or twisting could damage the jack.
• QCY MeloBuds N65’s biggest strength: Wireless listening with adaptive noise cancellation, up to 50 hours of total playback with the case when ANC is off, and connections to three devices. Trade-off: It has no headphone jack, so it cannot remove a broken plug or provide a wired connection.
• Choose GripperX if a broken plug is already stuck inside a compatible headphone jack and you need a removal tool.
• Choose QCY if you want earbuds for laptop audio, calls, commuting, or other everyday wireless listening.
GripperX has one narrow job: extracting the broken end of a headphone plug lodged in a 3.5 mm jack. It is intended for jacks on phones, laptops, and smaller devices. That makes it relevant when a laptop’s headphone port has become unusable because part of a plug remains inside—not when you are shopping for headphones or a general-purpose laptop audio accessory.
The stated method is to place the tool between the jack housing and the broken plug, inserting it roughly as far as the plug would normally go. The broken piece is then enclosed and pulled out. The tool may need a light tap to seat it, and fingers or pliers can be used to improve the grip. Those steps call for care: the opening is sharp, and rotating the tool or pushing it too far may damage the device. Gloves and pliers are recommended.
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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
QCY MeloBuds N65 are wireless in-ear earbuds for people who want laptop audio without using a 3.5 mm cable. Bluetooth 6.0 supports a stated wireless range of up to 10 meters, and the earbuds can connect to three devices. That combination suits someone who switches among a laptop, phone, and another compatible device, although the earbuds do not have a headphone jack.
For work or travel, their listed features include adaptive active noise cancellation, spatial audio, and an eight-microphone call system. The microphone setup is intended for calls and video chats in noisy surroundings. The earbuds also offer touch and gesture controls, with customized settings through the QCY Audio App. Audio options include LDAC high-resolution streaming, and the listed latency is 45 milliseconds—a feature that may matter for video, gaming, or live streams.
Battery life is listed as up to 11 hours of single playback and up to 50 hours with the case when ANC is off; with ANC on, single playback is listed at 6.5 hours. A 10-minute quick charge is stated to provide 2.5 hours of music time. IPX5 sweat and splash resistance makes them a plausible option for workouts or light exposure to rain, but it does not turn them into a laptop repair tool. If you need a wired connection or a way to extract a broken plug, these are the wrong product.
• A broken plug is stuck in a laptop’s 3.5 mm jack → GripperX Headphone Plug Extraction. Its purpose is to grip and remove that broken piece.
• You want wireless laptop listening → QCY MeloBuds N65. They connect over Bluetooth and have no headphone jack.
• You need adaptive noise cancellation → QCY MeloBuds N65. The stated features include adaptive ANC; GripperX does not play audio.
• You want to switch between devices → QCY MeloBuds N65. Its triple-device connection is the relevant feature for moving among a laptop and other devices.
• You want extended playback away from a charger → QCY MeloBuds N65. The stated maximum is 50 hours with the case when ANC is off, with up to 11 hours of single playback.
• You need sweat and splash resistance for activity → QCY MeloBuds N65. Its IPX5 rating is specified for sweat and splashes; GripperX is an extraction tool, not wearable audio gear.
• You need a 3.5 mm connection or plug-repair accessory → GripperX only for plug removal. It does not function as an adapter or replacement headphone cable.
• You want a general-purpose set of laptop earbuds → QCY MeloBuds N65. Their wireless listening, call features, controls, and case battery address everyday use; GripperX does not.
For searches like “best usb c charging in ear earbuds for laptop,” keep the actual connection in mind: the QCY set is wireless, and its supplied cable is described as a Type-C charging cable. That is for charging, not a wired laptop audio connection. Likewise, someone seeking sweat resistant wireless headphones for laptop use may find the QCY’s IPX5 rating and Bluetooth design relevant, while someone searching for the best earbuds for laptop should first decide whether they want wireless listening or a wired setup. Neither product is a substitute for the other.
My Verdict
It is designed to extract a broken plug tip from a 3.5 mm jack, including jacks on laptops. The instructions warn that pushing it too far or rotating it could damage the device, so careful handling matters.
They are Bluetooth wireless earbuds and list a range of up to 10 meters. They do not have a headphone jack, so they are not a wired option for a laptop.
They carry an IPX5 rating for sweat and splashes. That makes them suited to the stated kinds of exposure, but the rating should not be mistaken for a feature shared by GripperX, which is a repair tool.
For calls and video chats, QCY is the relevant choice because it includes an eight-microphone call system and Bluetooth connectivity. GripperX does not provide audio or microphones; it is designed to remove a broken plug from a headphone jack.
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