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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a wired pair that stays put through sweaty workouts and plugs into the newer USB‑C iPhone lineup, choose ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone; if you need a two‑pack of Lightning earbuds for an older iPhone with a built‑in remote and mic, choose esbeecables Apple MFi Certified.
• ASKUBSKU's biggest strength: an open‑ear, hook‑based design that never seals inside your ear canal, so you can run, jog or lift while still hearing traffic and your surroundings.
• ASKUBSKU's biggest trade‑off: the open fit lets sound in and out — there's no real passive isolation, so a loud gym or busy street will compete with your audio.
• esbeecables' biggest strength: it's a two‑pack of Lightning earbuds with an inline remote and mic, so you get a spare set and full call/track control without touching your phone.
• esbeecables' biggest trade‑off: it only fits Lightning‑port iPhones — no USB‑C, no modern iPhone 15/16/17 compatibility, and no open‑ear awareness of your surroundings.
• Who each is for: ASKUBSKU for active users on USB‑C phones and tablets; esbeecables for older‑iPhone owners who want cheap, simple, replaceable wired buds — in my opinion, two very different buyers.
The ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone is built around one idea: keep your ears open. Instead of pushing a tip into your canal, it hangs on a hook and rests over your ear, firing sound toward you without blocking the outside world. The spec sheet lists it as an open‑ear, hook‑shaped earpiece in a white plastic enclosure with a 16‑ohm impedance — a low‑impedance load that's easy for a phone or tablet to drive without a separate amp.
The connection is the big story here. It's a USB‑C wired headphone with an inline button remote, so you can change volume, skip tracks and take calls from the cable. That USB‑C jack is what opens it up to the newer iPhone 17 Air/17 Pro/17/16 family, iPads (including the 11‑inch and 13‑inch Pro and Air models), MacBooks, and a long list of Samsung Galaxy and Pixel phones. It also ships with a protective case.
So who should buy it? In my opinion, this is the pick for runners, gym‑goers and cyclists who want music but refuse to be deaf to their surroundings — the ear hooks and non‑in‑ear fit are exactly what you want when you're moving and sweating. It's also a solid choice if you juggle a USB‑C iPhone and a USB‑C tablet or laptop and want one cable to rule them all.
Who should skip it? If you want to block out a noisy commute, an open design is the wrong tool — it deliberately lets ambient sound in. And if your phone still has a Lightning port, this cable simply won't plug in. There's a reason the button remote and open fit exist; they're a lifestyle choice, not a flaw.
The esbeecables set takes the opposite approach. It's a 2‑pack of in‑ear wired earbuds that terminate in a Lightning connector, aimed squarely at iPhones from the 14 and 13 and 12 and 11 generations on down through the XS, XR, X, 8, 7 and even the 6 and 5 families. Two pairs in the box means you can keep one at your desk and one in a bag — or hand one to a family member.
The feature set is deliberately simple. There's a remote on the cord that lets you adjust volume, control playback and answer or end calls, plus a built‑in microphone for talking. The controls are spelled out clearly: press once to play or pause, twice to jump to the next track, three times to go back. It's plug‑and‑play — no Bluetooth pairing, no charging, no app.
Who should buy it? Anyone with an older Lightning iPhone who wants a no‑fuss, no‑battery wired option and values having a backup pair on hand. The in‑ear fit gives you more sound isolation than an open design, which suits quiet listening at a desk, on a train, or during a call. There's also a stated 36‑month warranty with 24/7 support, which is worth noting for a consumable like earbuds.
Who should skip it? If you're on an iPhone 15, 16 or 17 — those use USB‑C, not Lightning — this cable is a dead end. And if you want to hear your surroundings while exercising, the in‑ear seal works against you. It's a classic, simple earbud for classic, simple use.
• Best for workouts and running → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. The ear hooks and open, non‑in‑ear fit are designed to stay put and keep you aware of your surroundings.
• Best for older Lightning iPhones → esbeecables Apple MFi Certified. It's built specifically for iPhone 14/13/12/11 and earlier Lightning devices.
• Best for modern USB‑C iPhones and iPads → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. The USB‑C jack covers the iPhone 17/16 range, recent iPads and MacBooks.
• Best for call and track control from the cable → a tie, but differently. ASKUBSKU uses an inline button remote; esbeecables uses a cord remote with a clear press‑once/twice/three‑times scheme and a mic.
• Best for sound isolation → esbeecables Apple MFi Certified. The in‑ear seal blocks more outside noise than an open‑ear design ever will.
• Best for hearing traffic while you listen → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. Open ears are the whole point of its design.
• Best for having a spare set on hand → esbeecables Apple MFi Certified. It's a 2‑pack; ASKUBSKU ships as a single headphone with a protective case.
• Best for long‑wear comfort with no ear‑canal pressure → ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone. No tip jammed in your ear means less fatigue over long sessions.
In my opinion, the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone is the smarter buy for most people eyeing this comparison, because it fits the phones people are actually carrying now — USB‑C iPhones, iPads and laptops — and its open‑ear hook design is genuinely useful for movement and awareness. If you're still on a Lightning iPhone and just want a cheap, simple, two‑for‑one wired earbud with a mic and remote, the esbeecables set is the more sensible pick. Decide by your port first: USB‑C points to ASKUBSKU, Lightning points to esbeecables. Whatever you choose, check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that's the one thing that can tip a close call.
how to use headphones for iphone
Plug the connector into your iPhone's port and it works immediately — no pairing or charging. On the ASKUBSKU, the USB‑C plug fits newer iPhone models; on the esbeecables, the Lightning plug fits iPhone 14 and earlier. Use the inline remote to adjust volume, change tracks and take calls.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 moved to USB‑C, so a Lightning headphone like the esbeecables won't fit. You'd want a USB‑C wired headphone such as the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone, which plugs straight into the USB‑C port with no adapter needed.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
Match the connector to your port and plug in. USB‑C headphones work with the newer iPhone 15/16/17 range and iPads; Lightning headphones work with iPhone 14 and older. Then use the cord's remote for playback and calls.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
The iPhone 16 uses USB‑C, so the ASKUBSKU Open Ear Headphone is the one that connects directly. The esbeecables Lightning set is not compatible with the iPhone 16 — there's no Lightning port on it.
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