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 single pair of wired USB-C earphones that covers iPhone 15 and newer, iPads, MacBooks, Samsung and Pixel devices in one shot, choose APETOO USB C Headphones; if you need two pairs of Lightning earbuds for an older iPhone 14 or earlier and want a spare in the bag, choose Matsusho 2. That is the whole decision in one line — and yes, it really comes down to which port is on the phone you actually carry, because these two products do not overlap there at all. I'm framing this around headphones for iPhone and around what matters to picky listeners chasing clean stereo detail, so read on before you commit to either.
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest strength: a built-in digital DAC chip feeding a 32-ohm dynamic driver over USB-C, plus a full accessory kit (carrying case and two extra ear-tip sizes) and a multifunction remote with volume control.
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: no 3.5mm option and no Lightning option, so it is useless on an iPhone 14 or older without an adapter, and it only does passive sound isolation rather than active noise cancellation.
• Matsusho 2 — biggest strength: it ships as a 2-pack of Lightning earbuds with a cord remote and a 36-month warranty, and it works with the older iPhone generations (14 down to 6) that USB-C earphones simply cannot touch.
• Matsusho 2 — biggest trade-off: the connection is fiddly by design — Bluetooth 5.2 has to be switched on before you plug in, then it auto-connects in 2–8 seconds — and the enclosure is Silicone/TPE rather than anything more premium.
• Who each pick is for: APETOO for anyone on iPhone 15/16/17, iPad, MacBook, Samsung, Pixel or OnePlus who wants one cable that just works; Matsusho 2 for someone still on a Lightning iPhone who wants two pairs and does not mind a pairing step.
The APETOO set is, in my opinion, the more "serious listening" of the two on paper. It uses a USB-C digital connector that passes a digital signal straight to an onboard DAC chip, which the brand says preserves high-fidelity stereo without loss. The driver is a dynamic type with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range and 32-ohm impedance, so the tuning leans toward enhanced bass and a full stereo image rather than a thin, tinny signature. For someone hunting spatial audio earphones for audiophiles or a clean, wired hi-fi stereo over-ear experience in a compact in-ear shell, this is the design philosophy that fits: no wireless compression stage, no codec negotiation, just a cable.
Comfort and fit are handled the practical way. The ear tips are soft silicone in an oval shape with multiple sizes included (S and L replacements come in the box alongside the pre-fitted pair), which is the standard trick for getting a decent seal and therefore decent isolation. The company describes the isolation as noise-isolating rather than active cancellation — the tips block ambient sound passively. On a plane or a train that is noticeably weaker than ANC, but for a library, an office, or a commute where you mostly want the drone turned down, it does the job.
Who should buy it: anyone on iPhone 15, 16 or 17 (including Pro and Pro Max), iPad 10, iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2, MacBook Air/Pro, Samsung S-series and Z Flip/Fold, Galaxy Tab, Pixel, or OnePlus — basically any USB-C device without a headphone jack. The package includes the earphones, a mini storage case, and the extra tips, and the wire is a 4 ft enhanced TPE cable with an inline HD microphone and button remote for volume, playback and calls. It is also worth knowing the brand offers lifetime after-service and responds within 24 hours on weekdays.
Who should skip it: anyone still on a Lightning iPhone, and anyone who specifically needs active noise cancellation rather than isolation. Also note the Mac quirk the brand flags — you may need to select "USB" under Sound → Output in System Settings for the buds to be recognized.
The Matsusho 2 is a different animal entirely, and it is honest about what it is. Despite being sold as "wired earbuds," the connection path is actually Bluetooth 5.2: you switch Bluetooth on in your iPhone or iPad, plug the Lightning connector in, and it pairs. After that first setup, the brand says it reconnects automatically in 2–8 seconds on subsequent uses. That is a slightly unusual hybrid, and it means the plug is doing more than sitting there as a passive analog jack.
The fit is in-ear with a silicone and TPE enclosure in white, and the driver here is a balanced armature rather than a dynamic one — with the same 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range. Balanced armature drivers are typically chosen for detail and efficiency in a small shell, so the character is likely to be more mid-and-treble focused than the bass-forward APETOO tuning. The remote on the cord adjusts volume, controls playback, and answers or ends calls.
The headline feature, though, is the count: this is a 2-pack. Two pairs of Lightning earbuds, a 36-month worry-free warranty, and compatibility with iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 Pro Max, XS, XR, X, 8, 7 and 6. If you have an older iPhone — or a household with two of them — that compatibility list is exactly the point, because the APETOO cannot serve those phones at all.
Who should buy it: owners of Lightning-era iPhones who want a cheap spare pair in the car, the office drawer or a gym bag, and people who like the security of a long warranty on a small accessory. Who should skip it: anyone on iPhone 15 or later, since there is no Lightning port to plug into, and anyone who wants zero setup friction — the Bluetooth-then-plug routine is an extra step every time you switch devices.
• Best for iPhone 15/16/17 and USB-C devices → APETOO USB C Headphones. It is the only one of the two that physically fits a modern iPhone.
• Best for older Lightning iPhones (14 and earlier) → Matsusho 2. The APETOO is a non-starter here.
• Best for sound-quality intent → APETOO USB C Headphones. A wired digital DAC path with a dynamic driver and 32-ohm impedance is the more audiophile-leaning setup on paper.
• Best for having a backup pair → Matsusho 2. You get two pairs in one box, which is a real convenience if you keep one at home and one in a bag.
• Best for fit customization → APETOO USB C Headphones. Two extra ear-tip sizes ship in the box, so you can tune the seal and therefore the isolation.
• Best for warranty length → Matsusho 2. A 36-month worry-free warranty is unusually long for a small audio accessory.
• Best for one-cable-everything → APETOO USB C Headphones. Phone, tablet, laptop and MacBook all work through the same USB-C plug.
• Best for active noise cancellation → neither. Both rely on isolation or nothing at all; if ANC is a hard requirement, keep looking.
If I were buying for myself, I would take the APETOO USB C Headphones. In my opinion they are the smarter purchase for anyone on a current iPhone, because a USB-C digital connection with a DAC chip, a 32-ohm dynamic driver and a proper accessory kit is simply the more capable package for headphones for iPhone use in 2025 and beyond — and for listeners chasing spatial audio earphones for audiophiles or a clean wired stereo signal, the design story lines up better. The Matsusho 2 only wins if your phone still has a Lightning port; in that case, buy it without hesitation, because the APETOO cannot help you. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one fits your port before you decide.
how to use headphones for iphone
Plug the connector into your iPhone's port and press play — but the two products differ. The APETOO is a true wired USB-C connection: plug in and it works, and on a Mac you may need to pick "USB" as the sound output. The Matsusho 2 needs Bluetooth switched on first, then it pairs automatically in 2–8 seconds.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 moved to USB-C, so you need a USB-C earphone like the APETOO USB C Headphones. Plug it into the charging port, use the inline remote for volume and calls, and the built-in DAC chip handles the digital-to-audio conversion. The Matsusho 2 will not fit an iPhone 15.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
On a Lightning iPhone (14 and earlier), the Matsusho 2 is the match: turn on Bluetooth, plug the Lightning connector in, and it connects. On a USB-C iPhone, the APETOO plugs straight in with no pairing at all. Match the connector to your port first — that is the whole trick.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
Same as the iPhone 15: USB-C only, so the APETOO USB C Headphones is the compatible pick. Plug into the USB-C port, control volume and playback from the inline button remote, and enjoy the isolated in-ear fit. The 2-pack Matsusho set is designed for the older Lightning models and will not plug in.
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