We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-23 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a cheap, universal pair of corded earbuds that plugs into the 3.5mm jack on a school Chromebook, an old iPad, a Switch or an MP3 player, choose ASKUBSKU Headphones Earphones; if you need wired earphones for a modern USB-C phone, tablet or laptop with no headphone jack at all, choose TOPAUX USB Type C.
• ASKUBSKU's biggest strength: a true 3.5mm plug plus three sizes of silicone eartips, so it fits almost any older phone, tablet, laptop, Chromebook, console or MP3 player that still has a round audio jack.
• ASKUBSKU's biggest trade-off: it is a classic in-ear bud on a fixed 3.5mm cable, so it is useless on a device that only has a USB-C port unless you add your own adapter.
• TOPAUX's biggest strength: a native USB-C plug with an open-ear, adjustable over-ear hook design, a DAC chip, in-line volume and call controls, a cable fixer clip and a zipper storage case.
• TOPAUX's biggest trade-off: it only works with USB-C audio devices, and its open-ear hook shape is a very different feel from a sealed in-ear bud.
• Who ASKUBSKU is for: students, commuters and anyone with legacy 3.5mm gear who wants simple corded listening and calls.
• Who TOPAUX is for: owners of newer USB-C phones, tablets and laptops who want a secure, adjustable open-ear fit and a tidier cable setup.
The ASKUBSKU set is the definition of a plain, dependable corded earphone. You get a 3.5mm plug, a dynamic driver rated 32 ohm with a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range, a black plastic housing and a black silicone carrying case in the box. Nothing about that spec list is exotic, and that is exactly the point: 32 ohm is an easy load for a phone, a laptop headphone jack or a handheld console, and the full 20 Hz–20 kHz range covers everything from podcasts to music without fuss.
What it does best is fit and flexibility in the ear. ASKUBSKU ships three sizes of soft silicone eartips (L/M/S), so you can pick the one that actually seals your ear canal. The buds are semi in-ear and angled at roughly 45 degrees, which the brand says reduces the pressed, sore feeling you get from rigid buds after long wear and keeps them from slipping out. That matters for a student wearing them through a double period, or for someone on a treadmill.
The in-line control block is the second reason to pick it. One button cluster handles play/pause, volume up and down, answer and hang up, plus waking the voice assistant and firing the camera shutter. The microphone is described as high-sensitivity and multi-directional with enhanced voice pickup for calls. In practice that means you can take a work call, skip a track or snap a photo without pulling the phone out of your pocket.
Who should skip it? Anyone whose phone, tablet or laptop has already dropped the 3.5mm jack. ASKUBSKU's own compatibility list is a who's-who of older gear: Galaxy S8 through S10-era models, Note 8 and Note 9, Pixel 3a and 4a, older iPads and iPad minis, iPhone SE 1st gen through 6S, Switch, PS4, PS5, MP3 and MP4 players, plus most Windows laptops and Chromebooks with a round audio port. If your device is on that list, this is a natural match. If it is a recent USB-C-only handset, it is not.
TOPAUX takes the opposite approach: it removes the 3.5mm jack entirely and plugs straight into a USB-C port. That single design decision is what makes it worth considering in 2026, when a growing share of phones, tablets and thin laptops have no round audio socket left. The cable terminates in a Type C plug, and the set is aimed at USB-C audio smartphones, tablets and laptops from Apple, Samsung, Google and others.
The shape is the headline feature. Instead of sitting inside your ear canal, TOPAUX uses an open-ear design with over-ear hooks that adjust through about 15 degrees. You bend the hook toward your ear for a better angle. Because nothing is jammed into the canal, the brand describes it as lightweight with no pressure even over long sessions — a real advantage if in-ear buds normally ache after an hour. It is also rated for ages six and up, and the adjustable hooks are meant to scale from kids to adults, which is why it shows up in back-to-school and study-from-home shopping.
Audio-wise, TOPAUX uses a dynamic driver with a DAC chip built into the USB-C end, rated 32 ohm with a 20–20,000 Hz range, and claims 3D stereo, lossless-style playback. A DAC in the plug matters because a USB-C port outputs a digital signal — without one, there is simply no analog audio to hear. The controls are in-line and cover play, pause, answer, end and reject calls, skip tracks, volume up and down, and waking Siri or the Android voice assistant.
The accessory kit is genuinely thought through. You get a cable fixer clip so the wire can be pinned to your clothing and stop swinging while you walk, plus a PU zipper case for storage. The cord itself uses an oxygen-free copper core for flexibility and long-term durability. Item weight is listed at 0.06 kg, so it is light enough to forget about.
Who should skip it? Anyone still living on 3.5mm. If your laptop, console or MP3 player only has a round jack, TOPAUX simply will not connect without your own adapter, and the open-ear hook fit is not for people who prefer a sealed, noise-isolating in-ear seal for loud commutes.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for modern USB-C gear → TOPAUX USB Type C. It plugs directly into USB-C audio phones, tablets and laptops, with a built-in DAC chip to convert the digital signal.
• Best for long-wear comfort → TOPAUX USB Type C. Open-ear hooks with 15-degree adjustment avoid canal pressure, and it is rated for ages six and up.
• Best for a secure, sealed fit → ASKUBSKU Headphones Earphones. Three silicone tip sizes plus a 45-degree angled semi in-ear shape keep the bud seated without ear press.
• Best control set for calls → a tie, roughly. Both handle play/pause, volume, answer/end and voice assistant; TOPAUX adds call rejection and track skipping, ASKUBSKU adds camera shutter control.
• Best cable management → TOPAUX USB Type C. The included cable fixer clip and PU zipper case beat ASKUBSKU's silicone case for keeping the wire tidy on the move.
• Best for young students → TOPAUX USB Type C. The adjustable hooks and over-six age rating fit smaller heads better than fixed in-ear buds.
• Best for a universal backup pair → ASKUBSKU Headphones Earphones. If you own a mix of old and new hardware, the 3.5mm version is the one that still works with the most of it.
In my opinion, the deciding question is not sound quality — both are 32 ohm dynamic-driver earphones with a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz range, so they are playing in the same league. It is your port. If your daily driver is a USB-C phone, tablet or laptop with no headphone jack, I would buy the TOPAUX USB Type C, because the built-in DAC, adjustable open-ear hooks, cable clip and zipper case make it the more complete package for modern hardware. If you are buying for a school Chromebook, an older iPad, a Switch or a drawer full of 3.5mm devices, I would buy the ASKUBSKU Headphones Earphones instead — the three eartip sizes and simple plug-in design make it the safer, more universal pick.
FAQ
how to wired headphones work
how to use wired headphones with iphone
It depends on the iPhone's port. ASKUBSKU's 3.5mm plug suits older iPhone SE 1st gen, 6 and 6S models that still have a round jack. For newer iPhones, TOPAUX's USB-C plug is the direct match — it is listed for USB-C Apple devices and needs no adapter.
how to fix wired headphones no sound
Start with the connection: make sure the plug is fully seated in the correct port. A 3.5mm plug like ASKUBSKU's will not work in a USB-C-only device, and a USB-C plug like TOPAUX's will not work in a 3.5mm jack — that mismatch is the most common cause of silence. Then check the in-line controls are not stuck and try a different device.
are wired headphones better than wireless
Not better, different. Wired sets like these two never need charging and avoid Bluetooth pairing, which is why they suit exams, flights and long study sessions. ASKUBSKU covers legacy 3.5mm gear; TOPAUX covers USB-C gear with a DAC in the plug.
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See also: Cianyyee USB C Headphones vs TOPAUX USB Type C, AILKIN Samsung Type C vs esbeecables USB C Headphones, ASKUBSKU Headphones Earphones vs IIOZO 2