How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a feature-packed wired USB-C earbud with active noise cancellation, an inline volume remote and a metal build, choose APETOO USB C Headphones; if you need a lightweight, right-angle-plug earbud with a secure in-ear fit and a low-profile cable that survives daily pocket abuse, choose AFGHOA USB C Headphone.
• APETOO's biggest strength: it's the more complete package — active noise cancellation, a full button remote (volume, calls, track skipping), a metal cavity and metal carry case, plus a spare set of ear tips.
• APETOO's biggest trade-off: the straight USB-C connector puts more leverage on the port, and the "noise canceling" claim rests on in-ear sealing plus the ANC spec rather than an ambient-mode toggle.
• AFGHOA's biggest strength: the L-shaped (right-angle) connector takes strain off both the cable and your phone's port, which is exactly what kills cheap wired earbuds first.
• AFGHOA's biggest trade-off: the spec sheet is thinner — no active noise cancellation feature listed, and the stated frequency response figure (2,000 Hz) is oddly narrow compared to what the product name promises.
• Who APETOO is for: someone who wants call controls and volume at their fingertips and doesn't mind a bulkier metal case in their bag.
• Who AFGHOA is for: someone who mostly listens on the move and wants a cable that bends instead of breaking.
The APETOO set is the one that reads like a small toolkit rather than just a pair of buds. You get the earbuds themselves, an earphone clip, replacement S/L ear tips, and a metal carry case — which, at 3 ounces, is a genuinely pocketable shell rather than a soft pouch that gets crushed. The enclosure is metal too, and in my opinion that matters more than it sounds: metal housings tend to hold their shape and feel less like a toy than the plasticky alternatives at this end of the market. The color is red, so it's not trying to disappear.
The feature list is where APETOO pulls ahead for a certain buyer. There's a built-in microphone on the right side and a remote that handles answer/end, play/pause, next/previous and volume — so you're not digging your phone out of a jacket pocket on a cold walk. The DAC chip converts standard-resolution audio to a higher-fidelity signal, and the 32-ohm impedance with a dynamic driver and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range is a normal, sensible load for a phone or laptop. Active Noise Cancellation is listed as the noise-control method, which is unusual for a wired in-ear at all — most wired buds rely on passive sealing alone.
So who should buy it? If you take a lot of calls, want volume buttons on the wire, and like the idea of a metal case and metal housings that survive a backpack, APETOO is the more capable pick. The compatibility list is enormous — iPhones from the 15 series onward, the Galaxy S and A lines, Z Flip and Fold, Tab tablets, Pixel, OnePlus, MacBook and iPad — so it covers basically any USB-C device without a headphone jack.
AFGHOA USB C Headphone: Who It's For
AFGHOA takes the opposite approach: fewer moving parts, one clever piece of engineering. That piece is the L-shaped connector. A right-angle plug sits flush against the phone and, as AFGHOA puts it, avoids the cable bending repeatedly at the stress point until it breaks. If you've ever lost a wired earbud to a frayed connector, you know this is the failure that actually happens — and it's the single most convincing thing on this spec sheet.
The rest is a straightforward, comfortable in-ear design. The buds are ergonomic and shaped to sit deep enough to block outside noise through sealing, with two extra silicone tips in S and L so you can size them properly. That sizing matters more than people think: a good seal is most of what "noise isolation" actually means on a wired bud. You also get a carrying case for the earbuds and small accessories, the magnetic backs so the buds clip together around your neck and don't tangle, and the same hands-free call and track control via an inline button remote. The DAC chip is there too, doing the same standard-to-high-fidelity conversion job.
Where it's weaker: the noise-control field says sound isolation, not active noise cancellation, so this is a passive design. The stated frequency response is 2,000 Hz, which is far below the 20 kHz you'd expect from a dynamic driver, and the sensitivity is listed at 105 dB. I'd read those numbers as inconsistent labeling rather than a real ceiling — but it does mean AFGHOA gives you less to go on than APETOO. The build materials are a mix of composite, plastic, rubber, metal and stainless steel, which is broad but vague, and the color is black.
Buy AFGHOA if you want the earbud that bends instead of snapping, you're on the move constantly, and you don't need volume buttons on the wire. Skip it if you want active noise cancellation or you like having explicit spec numbers to compare.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise reduction → APETOO USB C Headphones. It lists Active Noise Cancellation as its noise-control method, on top of the in-ear seal.
• Best for on-wire volume control → APETOO USB C Headphones. Its remote adjusts volume directly, not just playback and calls.
• Best for portability → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. A composite body and low-profile connector make it the easier one to leave in a pocket.
• Best for build feel → APETOO USB C Headphones. Metal housings and a metal carry case, in a distinct red.
• Best for everyday listening and commuting → AFGHOA USB C Headphone. Secure fit, magnetic neck-wear and a cable that takes abuse.
• Best for calls and multitasking → APETOO USB C Headphones. Microphone on the right side plus full inline remote for answer/end and track skipping.
• Best for device coverage → both. Each supports a very long list of USB-C phones, tablets, laptops and iPads, so compatibility isn't the deciding factor.
If I were buying for myself, I'd take the APETOO USB C Headphones. The combination of active noise cancellation, an inline volume remote, metal housings and a metal case is simply more headphone for the same job — and the 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range is the kind of figure I can actually reason about. I'd only switch to the AFGHOA if I knew I'd be yanking it in and out of a pocket all day, because that right-angle plug is worth real money in the long run. In my opinion, APETOO is the better all-rounder; AFGHOA is the tougher commuter. Whichever you pick, check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
For features, yes — APETOO adds active noise cancellation and a volume remote. For durability of the cable joint, AFGHOA's right-angle connector is the smarter design. It comes down to whether you want more controls or a longer-lasting plug.
Do these wired USB-C earbuds work with iPhone and Samsung?
Both list broad support: iPhones from the 15 series onward, Galaxy S and A models, Z Flip and Fold, tablets, Pixel, OnePlus, MacBook and iPad. AFGHOA also prints a useful tip — if you get no sound, disable USB audio routing in Developer Options.
APETOO lists Active Noise Cancellation as its noise-control method. AFGHOA lists sound isolation, meaning it relies on the in-ear seal and tip fit rather than electronics. Neither sheet describes an ambient or transparency mode.
Both are in-ear with spare silicone tips (APETOO S/L, AFGHOA S/L), and both use magnetic backs so you can hang them around your neck between calls. AFGHOA emphasizes a secure, long-wear fit; APETOO emphasizes sealing out external noise.
I don't quote prices here, since they change constantly. Use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the current figure for each.
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.