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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-18 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest strength: a finished pair of in-ear earbuds with a digital DAC chip, 20 Hz–20,000 Hz dynamic drivers, magnetic in-ear design, inline volume control and a full accessory kit (carry case plus two extra ear-tip sizes).
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: it's a single-purpose product. If you already love a specific pair of 3.5mm headphones, APETOO won't help you keep using them.
• ABCPOW USB C — biggest strength: a 2-in-1 dongle that splits one USB-C port into a 3.5mm audio jack and a PD 3.0 60W charging port, so you can listen and charge at the same time.
• ABCPOW USB C — biggest trade-off: it contains no earbuds at all. You supply the headphones, and the cable does not support data transfer.
• Who each pick is for: APETOO is for someone who wants plug-and-play earbuds for a phone or tablet with no headphone jack. ABCPOW is for someone who already owns wired headphones and refuses to choose between listening and charging.
APETOO's pitch is simple: one USB-C plug, no dongle, no pairing. The earbuds themselves carry a digital-to-analog converter chip, which is the piece that lets a USB-C port send audio the way these drivers expect. The spec sheet lists 32 ohm impedance, a dynamic driver and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range — a standard full-range profile, with the brand describing enhanced bass and in-ear tips that physically block some surrounding noise. That last part matters more than it sounds: because the silicone tips seal the ear canal, you get passive isolation without any battery, app or active noise cancellation circuitry.
The fit story is broad. APETOO lists compatibility across iPhone 15 through 17 families, a long run of Galaxy S and Note models, Galaxy Z Flip and Fold generations, Galaxy tablets, iPad Pro and Air, MacBook Air and Pro, and a deep bench of Google Pixel and OnePlus devices — essentially anything USB-C without a 3.5mm jack. You get three ear-tip sizes in total (medium pre-fitted plus small and large in the box), a mini zip case, and a 4-foot TPE cable with a microphone and multifunction button. The control scheme is button-based with volume control, so calls, track changes and volume are handled on the wire.
Who should buy it: anyone who wants the simplest possible wired setup — commuters, students, gym-goers, people taking calls and video meetings on a laptop, and anyone who keeps losing or forgetting dongles. The magnetic in-ear design and lightweight build (40 g for the set) suit long wearing sessions.
Who should skip it: if you already own a pair of 3.5mm headphones you love, APETOO is redundant — it replaces your headphones rather than adapting them. Also, if you specifically need to charge while listening, a plain pair of earbuds can't do that for you. And note the brand's own tip: on Macs you may need to select "USB" as the output/input device in Sound settings before audio routes correctly.
ABCPOW sells a different kind of object entirely. This is a 5.9-inch (15 cm) adapter cable with two ports on the device end: a USB-C PD charging port rated up to 60W and 20V/3A, and a 3.5mm aux jack for headphones, headsets or speakers. Plug it into your phone's USB-C port and you can stream audio through the 3.5mm side while pulling power through the USB-C side.
The charging numbers on the sheet are the headline: PD 3.0 fast charging rated to take a Samsung Galaxy S23-class phone from 0% to 89% in 30 minutes, an iPad Pro to 64% in 30 minutes, and a MacBook Air to 50% in 30 minutes. Those figures assume a compatible PD wall charger, and the brand explicitly warns that the adapter may not negotiate Quick Charge on some newer phones. Audio-wise, it uses a smart DAC chip with low power draw, stable decoding, and support for up to 24-bit/96 kHz and 24-bit/48 kHz sampling. Inline controls on your own headphones — call, volume, pause — continue to work through the jack.
Compatibility covers most USB-C phones, tablets and laptops, with a particularly deep list of Galaxy A-series and S-series models plus Pixel and iPad mini.
Who should skip it: if you don't own any 3.5mm audio gear, this adapter has nothing to plug into — you'd be buying a bridge to nowhere. It also won't transfer data, so don't expect file sync or a display connection. And the color is purple, which is either a nice accent or a dealbreaker depending on your taste.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for plug-and-play simplicity → APETOO USB C Headphones. Nothing else to buy, nothing to configure beyond the occasional Mac output setting.
• Best for people who already own good 3.5mm headphones → ABCPOW USB C. It adapts the gear you like instead of replacing it.
• Best for charging while listening → ABCPOW USB C. APETOO's earbuds occupy the port; ABCPOW's dongle splits it.
• Best for noise isolation on a budget of attention → APETOO USB C Headphones. The sealed in-ear tips and multi-size silicone tips do the work mechanically.
• Best for a spare pair you can leave in a bag → APETOO USB C Headphones. The mini zip case and extra tips make it a self-contained kit.
• Best for laptop and tablet users with a single USB-C port → ABCPOW USB C. One port in, audio plus 60W charging out.
• Best for calls with your own headset → ABCPOW USB C. Your headset's inline mic and buttons pass through the 3.5mm jack.
• Best for audio spec headroom → ABCPOW USB C. Up to 24-bit/96 kHz decoding is the more ambitious DAC spec of the two.
If I had to pick one for myself, I'd take APETOO USB C Headphones — I'd rather have a complete, self-contained audio solution with volume control, a mic and a case than a cable that depends on headphones I may or may not still own. But that's a preference, not a rule. If you already have wired headphones you trust and your real pain point is a phone that dies while you listen, ABCPOW USB C solves a problem APETOO simply can't. Buy APETOO for the earbuds; buy ABCPOW for the split.
APETOO lists direct support for iPhone 15 through 17 families plus iPhone Air and 16e. ABCPOW's compatibility list is centered on Android devices, iPads and laptops, so if your phone is a modern iPhone, APETOO is the safer match.
Only with ABCPOW USB C. Its PD 3.0 port is rated up to 60W and is designed to run alongside audio. APETOO's earbuds plug straight into your USB-C port, so that port is occupied while you listen.
No. Both are wired, driver-free accessories. APETOO's earbuds use a built-in DAC chip, and the brand notes that on Macs you may need to pick "USB" as the sound output/input. ABCPOW also uses a smart DAC chip and works as soon as you plug it in.
It comes down to what you already own. If you own no wired audio gear, APETOO gives you a full setup in one purchase; if you own 3.5mm headphones, ABCPOW adds charging capability for far less hardware. Check the current price on Amazon for both before deciding — the button on this page has the live figures.
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