How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want maximum device compatibility, a USB-C connection and a proper hard storage case, choose AFGHOA USB C Headphone; if you need a Lightning plug for an older iPhone and a magnetic neck-wear design, choose Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih.
• AFGHOA USB C Headphone — biggest strength: a USB-C connector with a dedicated DAC chip, so it works across a huge spread of modern USB-C phones, tablets, laptops and even the newest iPhone 17 / 16e generation.
• AFGHOA USB C Headphone — biggest trade-off: it is wired and USB-C only, so it is useless on older Lightning iPhones and gives you no wireless freedom.
• Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih — biggest strength: a magnetic earbud design that clips together for neck-wearing and tangle-free storage, plus a Lightning plug aimed squarely at older iPhones.
• Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih — biggest trade-off: the Lightning connector locks it to a shrinking pool of devices, and it ships with just a manual rather than a case.
• Pick AFGHOA if you own a modern USB-C phone, tablet or laptop and want one pair that travels between them.
• Pick Zacenei if you are still on an iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, 8, 7 or Plus with a Lightning port and want the magnetic convenience.
The AFGHOA USB C Headphone is, at its core, a compatibility play. The spec sheet lists USB-C as the jack and a DAC chip built into the connector, and that chip is the quiet hero here. A lot of USB-C audio ports are digital-only, which is why some cheap earbuds simply refuse to make sound on certain phones. A DAC converts that digital signal into audio the drivers can actually reproduce, and AFGHOA pairs it with a claim of lossless HiFi stereo. In practice, that means you plug in and it just works — no adapter, no dongle hunting.
The device list is genuinely long: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, 17e and 16e, the 16 and 15 families, Samsung S26 through S21 FE, the A-series, Z Flip and Fold, Google Pixel 10 Pro XL down to 6a, iPad 10 and 11, iPad Pro, Mini 6, Air, MacBook Pro, OnePlus, Motorola Edge and Nothing Phone. If you own a recent flagship or a tablet with a USB-C port, this is the safer bet of the two.
The comfort story is also spelled out. The eartips use soft silicone that the listing describes as skin-friendly, and three replacement cap sizes are included, so you can dial in the seal. The in-line remote handles answer, end, reject, play, pause, skip, volume and Siri wake-up — handy for calls, video meetings and study sessions. The 1.2m cord is described as tangle-free. Power/audio figures: 32 ohm impedance, 105 dB sensitivity, dynamic drivers, 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
Buy it if you want one wired pair that hops between a USB-C phone, tablet and laptop, and you value a zipper carrying case and an 8-month warranty. Skip it if your daily phone is an older Lightning iPhone — this simply will not plug in.
Zacenei takes the opposite approach. This is a Lightning-connector wired headset built for the iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, Pro Max, XS, 8, 7 and Plus era — the phones that still use Apple's older port. If that describes your device, this is the pair that fits your pocket without an adapter.
The standout feature is the magnetic design. The two earbuds attract each other, so you can wear them around your neck between songs and store them without a knot forming in your bag. It is a small thing that matters a lot when you commute. Zacenei also lists a built-in DAC chip supporting up to 24bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, with a balanced bass, mids and highs tuning. The wire is oxygen-free copper TPE, chosen for stability.
Noise handling is in-ear sound isolation — the physical seal blocks ambient noise, the same principle AFGHOA uses. There is an in-line mic and multi-function remote for calls, playback, track switching and volume, so you are not reaching for the phone. The ergonomic in-ear shape is listed as suitable for a range of ear types and stable over long wear.
Buy it if you are on an older iPhone and want magnetic storage plus a Lightning plug that needs no dongle. Skip it if you have a USB-C phone or a tablet/laptop you want to share audio with — the Lightning connector will not fit.
• Best for modern device compatibility → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. Its USB-C plug covers iPhone 17 and 16e, Samsung S26 down to A17, Pixel 10 Pro XL to 6a, iPad, MacBook and more.
• Best for older iPhones → Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih. Lightning only, but that is exactly what an iPhone 12, 11, XS or 8 needs.
• Best for tangle-free storage → Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih. The magnetic earbuds snap together for neck-wearing and tidy packing.
• Best for a protected travel kit → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. It ships with a zipper carrying case and three eartip sizes.
• Best for high-resolution audio specs → Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih. Its DAC is listed at up to 24bit/96kHz.
• Best for shared use across phone, tablet and laptop → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. One plug, many USB-C devices.
• Best for commuting and sport → Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih. Lightweight magnetic design is described as ideal for those occasions.
• Best for extra peace of mind → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. The 8-month warranty is the longer of the two.
In my opinion, the AFGHOA USB C Headphone is the better buy for most people right now, simply because USB-C is where phones, tablets and laptops have landed. One pair covers your phone, your iPad and your MacBook, and the included case and extra eartips make it a complete kit. I would only steer you to the Zacenei Headphones Earbuds wtih if you are genuinely still on a Lightning iPhone and want the magnetic neck-wear convenience — in that case it is the smarter match. Decide by your port first, then by features.
No. AFGHOA uses USB-C and covers modern iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, iPad, MacBook and more. Zacenei uses Lightning and is aimed at iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, 8, 7 and Plus models. Pick by your charging port.
Both rely on in-ear sound isolation rather than active cancellation. AFGHOA ships three eartip sizes so you can get a tighter seal; Zacenei describes an ergonomic in-ear fit. A good seal is what actually blocks ambient noise.
Yes. Both list an in-line mic with a multi-function remote for calls, playback, track skipping and volume, so neither requires you to touch your phone.
I do not quote prices here. Check the current price on Amazon for each using the button on this page, then weigh it against what you get — AFGHOA adds a case, three eartips and an 8-month warranty, while Zacenei offers magnetic storage and a Lightning fit.
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