We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-07 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a wired headphone that plugs into almost anything you already own and lets you keep one ear on your surroundings while you're fishing, choose APETOO 3.5mm; if you need a USB-C headset built for modern phones with a DAC chip and a magnetic, tangle-resistant cord, choose iMangoo USB C Headphones. Both are wired, both put volume control right on the cord, and both are cheap ways to stop worrying about battery life on the water. The real question is which connector your phone, laptop or handheld actually has — and that's what this comparison sorts out.
• APETOO 3.5mm — biggest strength: a standard TRRS 3.5mm plug that fits laptops, desktops, MP3 players, handhelds, older phones and anything else with a headphone jack, plus an in-line remote with a built-in mic and a half-in-ear fit that doesn't seal you off from the world.
• APETOO 3.5mm — biggest trade-off: it's a 3.5mm-only connection, so a phone with nothing but a USB-C port will need an adapter, and the half-in-ear design lets outside noise in by design.
• iMangoo USB C Headphones — biggest strength: native USB-C with a built-in DAC chip and metal-plated connectors, a 1.2 m cord with magnetic earbuds, a 13 mm dynamic driver and an in-line remote for play/pause, skip and hands-free calls.
• iMangoo USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: USB-C only. If your device still has a round headphone jack, it simply won't connect without an adapter, and it's an in-ear design, so it blocks more of what's around you.
• Who each pick is for: the APETOO for mixed old-and-new gear and anglers who want to hear what's happening around them; the iMangoo for anyone living entirely in the USB-C world.
This is the "it just works" option. The APETOO 3.5mm uses a premium TRRS 3.5mm plug made from anti-oxidant metal, and that single decision defines who it's for. On a spec sheet you get a 32 ohm impedance, a dynamic driver, and a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range — numbers that describe a normal, easy-to-drive earbud rather than an exotic one. The 3.5mm jack means it plays nicely with MacBook Pro and Air, laptops, desktops, gaming consoles, MP3/MP4 players, tablets and any phone with a headphone port.
The design is where it gets interesting for outdoor use. It's a half-in-ear, ergonomic shape with silicone tips, and the manufacturer is explicit that it does not block all outside noise — that's the point. You stay aware of your surroundings. If you're standing in a river or on a jetty, being able to hear a boat, a car, or someone calling you matters more than isolation. The anti-wrap oxygen-free copper cable is built to survive being stuffed into a backpack or a jacket pocket, and it ships with a mini storage case plus two extra ear tips.
iMangoo USB C Headphones: Who It's For
The iMangoo USB C Headphones are aimed squarely at the modern port. The headline feature is the built-in DAC chip, which is what lets a digital USB-C connection produce clean analog sound — the brand describes it as high-resolution bass with no buzzing or popping. The connectors are metal-plated for better contact and durability, and the cord runs 1.2 meters, which is a sensible length for pocket-to-ear use without a tangle of slack.
On paper it steps up in a couple of measurable ways: a 13 mm dynamic driver (larger than many budget earbuds), 32 ohm impedance, a 20 kHz frequency response and 114 dB sensitivity. Higher sensitivity generally means a phone can drive it loudly without strain. The earbuds themselves are magnetic, so they clip together when you take them off — a small thing that matters a lot if you're moving around. Controls are on the cord: play/pause, skip tracks, and a mic for answering and ending calls hands-free, which the brand frames around home and office work.
It's an in-ear fit with sound isolation as the noise-control approach, so it seals more than the APETOO does. It ships with ear tips and a protective carrying case, is listed for adults, and carries an 8-month warranty description. Who should buy it: anyone on a USB-C phone — the compatibility list covers recent iPhone, Galaxy and Pixel models with USB-C — plus remote workers and commuters who want a single-cable solution. Who should skip it: if your laptop or player still relies on a 3.5mm jack and you don't have a USB-C port free, or if you need to stay aware of traffic and water around you.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for mixed and older devices → APETOO 3.5mm. A 3.5mm plug covers laptops, desktops, consoles, MP3 players and any phone with a headphone jack.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → APETOO 3.5mm. The half-in-ear design deliberately doesn't block outside noise, which is exactly what you want bank-side.
• Best for blocking out background noise → iMangoo USB C Headphones. In-ear fit with sound isolation and 114 dB sensitivity for easy loudness.
• Best for tangle-free carrying → iMangoo USB C Headphones. Magnetic earbuds plus a 1.2 m cord and a carrying case keep things tidy in a pocket or tackle bag.
• Best for a secure, lightweight fit on the move → APETOO 3.5mm. Half-in-ear ergonomic shape, silicone tips, and an anti-wrap oxygen-free copper cable.
• Best for calls and quick controls → either. Both put a mic and an in-line remote on the cord; the APETOO uses a button remote, the iMangoo covers play/pause and skip.
• Best for a budget-conscious second pair → check the current price on Amazon for both. Neither spec sheet is the deciding factor here — your port is.
If I were buying one pair for fishing trips, I'd take the APETOO 3.5mm. The half-in-ear design is the honest reason: it doesn't seal you off, so you can hear a car, a boat, or a buddy calling from the bank, and the 3.5mm plug drops straight into a laptop, handheld or older phone without an adapter. In my opinion the iMangoo is the smarter buy if your life is entirely USB-C — the DAC chip, magnetic earbuds and larger 13 mm driver make it the more modern piece of kit. Same price bracket, different ports; pick the one that matches your device. If you're chasing best open ear earbuds for fishing or noise canceling earbuds for fishing, the APETOO's open, aware fit is closer to what that search is really about — though if you specifically need a wireless best bluetooth headset for fishing, neither of these wired models is that.
FAQ
how to disable volume control on wired headphones
On most wired headsets the in-line remote is handled by the device, not the earbuds, so there's rarely a true "off" switch. The practical workaround is to leave the on-cord buttons alone and set volume on the phone or laptop itself. Both the APETOO 3.5mm and the iMangoo USB C Headphones use a remote with volume control, so the volume buttons stay live either way.
do earbuds have volume control
Neither is universally better; they suit different devices. USB-C models like the iMangoo need a built-in DAC chip to convert digital audio, and they fit phones that have dropped the headphone jack. A 3.5mm model like the APETOO plugs into laptops, desktops, consoles and older phones with no adapter and no chip needed.
Only if your laptop has a USB-C port that supports audio output — the iMangoo is USB-C only, with no 3.5mm option. If your laptop still uses a round headphone jack, the APETOO 3.5mm is the simpler match. Check your port before you decide.
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