How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a lightweight, kid-friendly wired headset built for classrooms and travel, choose AILIHEN Kids Headphones; if you need a wireless over-ear pair that also works wired with active noise cancelling and long battery life for commuting and work, choose Anker Soundcore.
• AILIHEN Kids Headphones biggest strength: A wired-only, 6 oz foldable on-ear design with a braided mic cable and a sliding headband that adjusts to fit both kids and teens.
• AILIHEN Kids Headphones biggest trade-off: No active noise cancelling, no Bluetooth audio, and an on-ear fit that blocks less sound than a full over-ear cup.
• Anker Soundcore biggest strength: Hybrid active noise cancelling with four mics, up to 40 hours of ANC playtime, dual-device Bluetooth, and Hi-Res certified audio when you plug in the AUX cable.
• Anker Soundcore biggest trade-off: Heavier at 8.64 oz, ANC only works in Bluetooth mode, and it costs more to own than a simple wired school headset.
• Pick AILIHEN Kids Headphones if the priority is a tough, tangle-resistant wired headset for a student, a Chromebook, or a backpack.
• Pick Anker Soundcore if the priority is a do-everything over-ear headphone for commuting, flights, and switching between a laptop and a phone.
The AILIHEN MS300 is a wired on-ear headset that does one job well: it stays plugged into a device and keeps working. The 3.5mm jack is the standard size, so it fits most laptops, tablets, Chromebooks, and phones without an adapter. There's no pairing, no charging, no app, and nothing to lose. For a classroom, that simplicity is the whole point. A teacher hands out headsets, students plug in, and class starts.
The build is aimed squarely at younger users. The headband slides to fit different head sizes, which means the same pair can work for a kid this year and still fit a teenager later. At 6 oz it's genuinely light, and it folds down to slide into a backpack or a desk drawer. The nylon cable is braided to resist tangling and tearing, which matters because a school headset gets yanked, coiled, and stuffed into bags all day. There's a microphone on the cable, plus a multi-function button for play, pause, answering calls, hanging up, and skipping tracks.
The sound profile is modest by design: 32 ohm impedance, 20 Hz to 20 kHz, dynamic drivers, and sound isolation rather than active noise cancelling. That's normal for a school headset. It won't drown out a bus engine, but it keeps audio private and focused. I'd steer parents toward this one for online classes, video calls, and music during study time. I'd steer them away from it if they want wireless freedom, active noise cancelling, or a headphone an adult would wear on a long flight. AILIHEN also covers manufacturing, delivery, and normal wear concerns for the first year, which is worth knowing for a product kids handle daily.
The Soundcore by Anker Q20i is a different animal entirely. It's an over-ear Bluetooth headphone with hybrid active noise cancelling, and it happens to include a 3.5mm jack as a backup. Four built-in mics work together to cut background noise in Bluetooth mode — good for a packed office, a train, or a busy street. That ANC does not work in AUX-in mode; it pauses automatically when you plug in the cable. That's the single most important thing to understand about this headphone before you buy it.
Wireless is where it shines. BassUp adds deep, punchy bass and crisp highs over Bluetooth. Plug in the included AUX cable and you unlock Hi-Res certified audio with 40mm dynamic drivers that reach up to 40 kHz — a much wider range than the AILIHEN's 20 kHz ceiling. Battery life is rated at 40 hours with ANC on, and a 5-minute charge gives roughly 4 more hours if you're caught short. It can hold two Bluetooth connections at once, so a call on your phone and audio on your laptop coexist without constant re-pairing.
Comfort is built for long sessions: memory foam cushions wrapped in protein leather, over-ear cups that seal around the ear. At 8.64 oz it's noticeably heavier than the AILIHEN, but the weight is spread across a larger frame. The soundcore app adds EQ presets, custom EQ, ANC/Normal/Transparency switching, and white noise. Transparency mode lets train announcements or a colleague's question through without removing the headphones. This is a headphone for commuters, remote workers, and frequent flyers. Anker lists an 18-month warranty. If you want something a young child can toss in a school bag without a second thought, this isn't it.
• Best for young kids and students → AILIHEN Kids Headphones. Light, adjustable, foldable, and wired with no pairing to manage.
• Best for battery life → Anker Soundcore. Up to 40 hours with ANC on, plus a 5-minute top-up for about 4 more hours.
• Best for noise cancelling → Anker Soundcore. Hybrid ANC with four mics, Bluetooth mode only.
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → AILIHEN Kids Headphones. Standard 3.5mm jack, no charging, no app, no setup.
• Best for audio quality → Anker Soundcore. Hi-Res certified wired playback and a 20 Hz–40 kHz range versus the AILIHEN's 20 Hz–20 kHz.
• Best for travel and commuting → Anker Soundcore. Over-ear cups, transparency mode, and dual-device switching.
• Best for durability against rough handling → AILIHEN Kids Headphones. Tangle- and tear-resistant nylon cable and a 6 oz frame kids can carry themselves.
• Best for online classes and video calls → AILIHEN Kids Headphones. Built-in mic on the cable and a multi-function call button.
In my opinion, most shoppers searching this comparison should buy the Anker Soundcore Q20i. It covers far more ground: wireless listening, real noise cancelling, 40-hour battery, dual-device switching, and Hi-Res wired audio when you want it. I'd recommend the AILIHEN Kids Headphones instead if the buyer is a child or student who needs a rugged wired headset for school — that's a job the Soundcore isn't built for. Decide which of those two people you're shopping for, then check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
how to wired headphones work
A wired headphone sends the audio signal from your device through the 3.5mm jack and cable straight to the drivers, so there's no pairing or charging involved. Both the AILIHEN and the Soundcore Q20i use a standard 3.5mm jack and work this way when plugged in.
how to use wired headphones with iphone
Plug the 3.5mm jack into the phone if it has a headphone port; newer iPhones without one need a Lightning or USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. Once connected, the AILIHEN's inline mic and multi-function button handle calls and playback, while the Soundcore's ANC pauses in wired mode.
how to fix wired headphones no sound
Check that the jack is fully seated, try the other device, and inspect the cable for kinks or damage. Braided cables like the AILIHEN's resist tangling and tearing, but a bent plug is still the most common cause of one-ear or no sound.
how to wired headphones connect to a laptop
Just push the 3.5mm plug into the laptop's headphone jack and the laptop routes audio to it automatically. The AILIHEN is a natural fit for a Chromebook or school laptop, and the Soundcore Q20i also accepts the included AUX cable for wired listening.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Gneinour USB Extension Charging vs TENNMAK 12X, JVC True vs StitchGreen M45, Audio-Technica 3 vs Nothing Headphone Hybrid Active, Sanpyl Swimming Headphones Underwater vs Keenso Neckband Headset