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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• AFGHOA USB C Earbuds — biggest strength: An enormous compatibility list that explicitly names MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone 15/16/17 family, Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus and more, plus a 32-ohm dynamic driver tuned across a full 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range.
• AFGHOA USB C Earbuds — biggest trade-off: It's a traditional in-ear bud with silicone caps, so it relies on a good seal for both comfort and noise isolation — if the fit is off, you lose some of the benefit.
• Avantree C171 — biggest strength: The ear-hook shape with soft eartips is designed to stay put during sports and active use, and the in-line buttons cover play/pause, volume, track skip and calls.
• Avantree C171 — biggest trade-off: Compatibility is narrower and more specific — it works with USB-C devices but is not compatible with iPhone 11–14 (Lightning) or 3.5mm jacks, and may not work with the Samsung S24.
• Pick AFGHOA if you want one wired USB-C earbud that will follow you across a MacBook, tablet and phone with an isolating in-ear seal.
• Pick Avantree C171 if your priority is a locked-in fit for running, gym sessions and other active scenarios.
The AFGHOA USB C Earbuds are, first and foremost, a connectivity play. The spec sheet lists an unusually long roster of USB-C devices — iPhone 17e, 17 Pro Max, 17, Air, 16e, 16, 15, Samsung's S26 through S20 FE lines, Z Flip and Fold, Google Pixel 10a down to 6, Galaxy Tab, OnePlus 15, MacBook Pro, iPad A16/11/10, Pro, Mini 6/7 and Air 4/5/6, plus Moto G Play 2026 and Nothing Phone. For someone who owns a MacBook and an Android phone and maybe an iPad, that single-cable universality is the whole point. You plug in, and it works.
On the audio side, the numbers are solid for a wired set: a 32-ohm impedance, 105 dB sensitivity, a dynamic driver and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range. That's a full-range response that should handle music, movies and games without obvious gaps. The in-ear silicone caps are there to isolate surrounding noise, and AFGHOA ships S and L replacement tips in the box so you can dial in the seal if the stock size doesn't sit right. There's a zipper case for storage too, which matters more than people admit for a wired set that lives in a bag.
The controls are remote-based with physical buttons, and there's a built-in mic for calls. Noise control is listed as sound isolation — meaning passive blocking from the tip seal, not active cancellation. One practical note from the data: to get the earbuds working on a laptop or PC, you go into sound settings and select the USB device as your input/output. That's a normal wired-USB quirk, not a defect, but it's worth knowing before you blame the hardware.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants one wired USB-C earbud that covers a MacBook, a modern iPhone, an Android phone and a tablet, and who prefers an isolating in-ear seal. Who should skip it: if you specifically need an ear-hook that stays clamped during sprints or heavy sweating, the in-ear bud format here isn't built for that.
The Avantree C171 leans into a different idea: staying in your ears while you move. The headline design choice is the ear hook combined with soft eartips — the hook loops over the ear so the bud can't easily pop out mid-stride. If your listening happens on runs, in the gym, or during any activity where a normal bud works its way loose, that hook is the feature you're paying attention to.
Compatibility is clearly stated and worth reading carefully. The C171 works with USB-C devices — iPhone 15 and 16, most Android phones from Samsung, Google and others, plus tablets. It is not compatible with iPhone 11–14, which use Lightning, and it won't work with 3.5mm AUX ports. Avantree also flags that it may not be compatible with the Samsung S24. That's an unusually candid note, and it means you should confirm your exact phone before buying.
The in-line controls are the other strong suit. Physical buttons let you play/pause, adjust volume, skip or replay tracks, answer or reject calls, and trigger your voice assistant — all without pulling out your phone. For a runner with the phone strapped to an arm, that's genuinely useful. There's a built-in mic for calls, and the sound is described as crisp with an emphasis on well-balanced levels. Like the AFGHOA, it uses a 32-ohm dynamic driver with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, and its noise control is passive sound isolation. It comes with ear cushions and carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Who should buy it: active users who want a secure ear-hook fit, easy on-wire controls and USB-C plug-and-play. Who should skip it: anyone on an iPhone 11–14, a 3.5mm-jack device, or a Samsung S24 — check your port and model first.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for MacBook and multi-device use → AFGHOA USB C Earbuds. MacBook Pro is named directly on the compatibility list, alongside iPad and a huge range of phones.
• Best for iPhone 15/16/17 owners → AFGHOA USB C Earbuds. It names the full iPhone 17 and 16 families explicitly; the C171 covers iPhone 15 and 16 but not 11–14.
• Best for on-wire control of calls and playback → Avantree C171. It lists play/pause, volume, track skip, call answer/reject and voice-assistant activation.
• Best for fit customization → AFGHOA USB C Earbuds. It ships with S and L replacement tips plus a zipper case.
• Best for wide device coverage → AFGHOA USB C Earbuds. Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, Moto, Nothing Phone, Galaxy Tab, iPad and MacBook are all on the list.
• Best for warranty length → Avantree C171. It carries a 2-year manufacturer warranty versus AFGHOA's 8-month worry-free warranty.
• Best for Samsung S24 owners → neither without checking. Avantree flags possible incompatibility, and AFGHOA lists S24 support — verify your exact model before buying.
In my opinion, the AFGHOA USB C Earbuds are the smarter buy for most people, and specifically for anyone pairing headphones with a MacBook. The compatibility list is simply broader — laptop, tablet and phone all covered by one cable — and the S/L tip options plus zipper case make it easier to live with day to day. I'd only steer you to the Avantree C171 if your listening is genuinely active: running, gym, movement where an ear hook earns its keep, and where its 2-year warranty is a real plus. Match the product to how you actually use it, and check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
For wired USB-C earbuds, connection is physical — there's no pairing. Insert the plug, then confirm the USB audio device is selected in your MacBook's sound settings. Both the AFGHOA and the Avantree C171 are wired USB-C sets, so neither needs Bluetooth pairing.
The process is the same as any USB-C Mac. Plug the earbuds into the USB-C port and set the USB device as your sound input/output if it isn't picked up automatically. The AFGHOA list names MacBook Pro directly and covers iPad and USB-C audio devices generally.
Connect via the USB-C port, then check Sound settings and select the USB device for output. AFGHOA explicitly lists MacBook Pro among compatible devices, so a USB-C wired earbud like these is plug-and-play once the audio device is selected.
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