How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired USB-C earbud that stays put during hard workouts and lets you hear traffic while you run, choose ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone; if you need a two-pack of in-ear USB-C earbuds for iPhone with a built-in remote and a long warranty, choose wamaxlink 2.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone — biggest strength: an open-ear, hook-style design that sits outside the ear canal, so it won't fall out during running, jogging or gym work and won't cause the ear fatigue that comes with long in-ear wear.
• ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone — biggest trade-off: open-ear means less isolation. You hear your surroundings, which is great outdoors and less great on a noisy plane or train.
• wamaxlink 2 — biggest strength: you get two pairs in one box, a built-in remote for music and calls, a 4FT cable with a DAC chip, and a 36-month warranty.
• wamaxlink 2 — biggest trade-off: in-ear tips block outside sound, which is exactly what some people don't want on a run or a bike commute.
• Who ASKUBSKU is for: athletes and anyone who wants awareness plus a secure fit from a single wired pair.
• Who wamaxlink 2 is for: commuters, students and households that want a spare pair and don't mind in-ear tips.
The ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone is built around one idea: keep the driver out of your ear canal. The earpiece shape is a hook, the placement is open ear, and the fit relies on ear loops rather than silicone tips pushed into your ear. In practice that means two things. First, it doesn't fall out. The product is explicitly pitched as sport earbuds for running, jogging and gym work, and the hook design is the reason why — there's nothing to work loose when you sweat or move your head. Second, you stay aware. With an open design, ambient sound reaches you while music plays, which matters if you run near traffic, ride a bike, or work out in a shared space where you still need to hear what's going on.
It's also a wired USB-C set, which is the part that matters most for iPhone buyers. The compatibility list covers iPhone 17 Pro Max, 17 Pro, Air, 17, 16e, 16 Pro Max, 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 16, 15 Pro Max, 15 Pro, 15 Plus and 15, plus iPad models and MacBooks. There's a built-in mic and in-line button controls for volume, track changes and calls, and the impedance is listed at 16 ohm, which is an easy load for a phone or laptop to drive. The package includes a protective case, so it travels without getting crushed in a bag.
Who should skip it? If you want to block out a noisy commute, an open-ear design is the wrong tool — it's designed to let sound in, and the noise control listed is sound isolation rather than active cancellation. If you prefer the sealed, bass-forward feel of tips that sit inside your ear, this isn't that. And if you need a spare pair for a second person, this is a single set, not a multi-pack.
The wamaxlink 2 goes the opposite direction. It's a two-pack of in-ear USB-C earbuds with an ergonomic in-ear design, a 4FT cable, and a built-in remote that handles play/pause, next track, previous track, volume and phone calls. The cable uses metal-plated connectors to cut down on poor-contact issues, and there's a DAC chip inside to keep audio clean — the spec sheet calls out no buzzing or popping, just plug and play. A magnet on the back of each earbud lets you snap them together and roll the cable up without a tangle, which is a genuinely useful detail if you've ever pulled a knotted pair out of a pocket.
Compatibility is broad: iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, Air, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPad Pro 12.9 and 11 inch, iPad Air 4th and 5th gen, iPad Mini 6, MacBook and MacBook Pro, plus Galaxy S26 through S20, Pixel 9 down to Pixel 2 XL, and other USB-C devices. The brand also states Apple MFi certification in the product title, which is a meaningful detail for iPhone owners who've dealt with cheap adapters that trigger warnings.
The trade-offs are straightforward. In-ear tips seal your ear canal, so you get more isolation and more low-end presence, but you also lose awareness of your surroundings — not what you want on a busy running route. Long sessions can cause the pressure and fatigue that in-ear wear is known for, though the design is described as reducing exactly that. And the connectivity field lists a 3.5 mm jack alongside USB-C, which is worth checking against your specific device before you buy if you're planning to use it anywhere other than a USB-C port. The 36-month warranty and stated 24/7 support are the strongest after-sale terms of the two.
• Best for workouts and running → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. Hook-style open-ear fit, built for sport, nothing to fall out.
• Best for awareness and safety outdoors → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. The open design lets ambient sound in while you listen.
• Best for long-wear comfort without ear fatigue → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. Non-in-ear fit means no pressure inside the canal.
• Best for commuting and noisy environments → wamaxlink 2. In-ear tips seal out more background noise.
• Best for two people or a backup pair → wamaxlink 2. It ships as a 2-pack; ASKUBSKU is a single set.
• Best for cable management → wamaxlink 2. Magnetic earbud backs and an anti-knot design make it easier to pocket.
• Best for after-sale coverage → wamaxlink 2. A stated 36-month warranty and 24/7 support.
• Best for iPhone plug-and-play confidence → wamaxlink 2. Apple MFi certification is stated in the title, and the DAC chip targets clean audio.
In my opinion, the deciding question is whether you want your ears open or sealed. If you're buying headphones for iPhone primarily to train — running, lifting, cycling — I'd buy the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. The hook fit and open-ear design solve the two problems that ruin workout audio: buds falling out and total loss of awareness. If your listening is mostly commuting, studying, calls and sharing a pair with someone else, I'd buy the wamaxlink 2. Two pairs, a remote, a DAC chip and a 36-month warranty make it the more practical everyday pick. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can tip a close call.
FAQ
how to use headphones for iphone
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 uses USB-C, so a wired USB-C set plugs straight in and works with no adapter. ASKUBSKU lists the 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max as compatible; wamaxlink 2 lists the same models and states Apple MFi certification. Once connected, the remote handles music and calls.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
Same as the 15 — USB-C port, direct plug-in. ASKUBSKU lists the 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max; wamaxlink 2 lists the 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. Both include a microphone, so calls work through the earbuds rather than the phone.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
Plug the USB-C connector into the phone and press play. The difference between these two is fit and isolation, not setup: ASKUBSKU sits outside your ear canal for awareness, while wamaxlink 2 seals inside it for noise blocking. Pick based on whether you want to hear your surroundings or shut them out.
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: JSAUX Headphone Adapter vs ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone, ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphones vs SIMOLIO Kids, YuShaTra Headphone vs Kinglucky Open-Ear Headphones