We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple, well-built adapter that lets you keep using your favourite wired headphones with a modern USB-C phone or tablet, choose Apple USB-C; if you need a dedicated pair of open-ear wired earphones built for workouts, calls and staying aware of your surroundings, choose ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones.
• Apple USB-C — biggest strength: it turns a USB-C port into a standard 3.5 mm jack, so your existing wired headphones, earbuds or speakers keep working with newer devices.
• Apple USB-C — biggest trade-off: it is only an adapter. It makes no sound on its own, so you still need a separate pair of wired headphones to plug into it.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones — biggest strength: a complete open-ear wired headset with a hook-style fit, a mic and a 3.5 mm plug, designed for long wear and awareness of your surroundings.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones — biggest trade-off: it is a single ready-made headset, so you cannot swap in your own favourite headphones the way you can with an adapter.
• Who each pick is for: Apple USB-C is for anyone who already owns good wired headphones; ASKUBSKU is for anyone who wants an all-in-one open-ear headset out of the box.
The Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter does exactly one job, and it does it cleanly. It lets you connect devices that use a standard 3.5 mm audio plug — headphones or speakers — to your USB-C devices. That is the whole pitch, and for a lot of people it is the whole solution. If you have a pair of wired headphones you love, this little adapter is how you keep using them instead of buying something new.
It is aimed at owners of modern USB-C hardware. Apple lists compatibility with a long run of recent iPhones — including the iPhone 15, 16 and 17 families and the iPhone 16e and 17e — plus a wide range of iPad Pro models going back several generations. It works with devices that have a USB-C connector and support iOS 10 or later. The white finish matches Apple's own cable aesthetic, and the compact dimensions (roughly 2.68 by 0.63 by 2.68 inches) mean it disappears into a pocket or bag. There is no plug or battery involved, because it does not need power — it is a passive pass-through for audio.
ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones: Who It's For
The ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones are a complete wired headset built around a very specific idea: keep your ears open. The non-in-ear design uses ear loops, which the brand describes as reducing ear fatigue over long wear sessions while letting you stay aware of your surroundings. That combination — comfort plus awareness — is the reason open-ear designs exist at all, and it is the core of this product.
It is a wired 3.5 mm headset, so there is no charging, no pairing and no battery to think about. The connector is a standard 3.5 mm jack, the audio range is a full 20Hz to 20,000Hz, and there is a built-in microphone plus button controls for calls and playback. The earpiece shape is a hook, the enclosure is plastic, and it ships with a protective case. The colour is black and the style is listed as 3.5MM — a straightforward, functional package.
The brand positions it for laptops and PCs as well as phones, and the compatibility list leans heavily on older 3.5 mm-equipped handsets: iPhone 5 through 6s Plus, and a long list of Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models that still have a headphone jack. That is an important detail. This is not a headset you plug into a USB-C phone — it is for the devices that already have a round audio port.
Who should skip it? Anyone with a phone that has no 3.5 mm jack and no adapter, and anyone who wants active noise cancellation — the noise control field is listed as none, which is expected for an open design. If you want deep isolation for a noisy commute, this is not that product. But if you want a wired open-ear headset for the gym, a run, or a long day at a desk where you still need to hear what is going on around you, this fits that brief well.
• Best for keeping your existing wired headphones → Apple USB-C. It converts a USB-C port into a 3.5 mm jack, so nothing you already own goes to waste.
• Best for an all-in-one headset out of the box → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones. Everything you need to listen and take calls is included in one wired package.
• Best for modern USB-C phones and tablets → Apple USB-C. Compatibility covers recent iPhone models and a wide range of iPad Pro generations.
• Best for older 3.5 mm phones and laptops → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones. The plug is a standard 3.5 mm jack, matching devices that already have that port.
• Best for workouts and awareness → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones. The ear-loop, non-in-ear fit is designed for long wear while keeping you tuned into your surroundings.
• Best for calls and voice → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones. It has a built-in mic and button controls; the Apple adapter has neither.
• Best for travel-light minimalism → Apple USB-C. It is a small, passive accessory with no battery, no controls and nothing to charge.
• Best for a single, simple purchase → depends on what you already own. If you have headphones, pick the adapter; if you do not, pick the headset.
In my opinion, the right call comes down to one question: do you already own wired headphones you like? If yes, I would buy the Apple USB-C adapter — it is the cheaper-feeling, lower-commitment move that lets a favourite pair of headphones live on with a USB-C phone or tablet, and it asks nothing of you beyond plugging it in. If you do not already own a pair, or you specifically want an open-ear headset for the gym, the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones are the more complete buy: mic, controls, ear hooks and a case, all wired and ready. For most people who are shopping for headphones — not an adapter — I would recommend the ASKUBSKU. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since both sit in very different budget brackets.
Yes, in my opinion. It exists precisely so a standard 3.5 mm plug can connect to a USB-C device, and it works with devices that support iOS 10 or later. If your headphones still sound good to you, an adapter is far less wasteful than replacing them.
They use a 3.5 mm jack, so they fit devices that still have that round port — the brand lists iPhone 5 through 6s Plus and many Galaxy and Pixel models. For a USB-C-only phone, you would need a separate adapter such as the Apple one.
Neither isolates much. The ASKUBSKU is an open-ear design with noise control listed as none, so it deliberately lets outside sound in. The Apple adapter adds no isolation either — it just passes audio through to whatever headphones you attach.
That is exactly what it is built for. It has a built-in mic, button controls and a hook-style open-ear fit designed to reduce ear fatigue over long sessions while keeping you aware of your surroundings. For calls and training, that combination makes sense.
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: Redskypower 1 vs Bulktech 1, DEARBIRDER TV Headphones vs xinwld Earbuds, bmanl Earbuds vs Anker Soundcore C40i, AGPTEK IPX8 vs WEIBEIQI Open Ear