How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a simple wired USB-C set with on-cord volume control that plugs straight into modern iPhone, iPad, Samsung and Pixel devices, choose ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds; if you need a two-pack of Lightning earbuds for older iPhones and you don't mind a quick Bluetooth handshake to get sound, choose Matsusho 2.
• ASKUBSKU biggest strength: true plug-and-play USB-C wired audio with a built-in mic, remote volume control and a lightweight 45° in-ear shape — no pairing ritual, no charging.
• ASKUBSKU biggest trade-off: it's a single earbud set with plastic build and sound-isolation-only noise control, so there's no active noise cancelling and no spare pair in the box.
• Matsusho 2 biggest strength: you get two complete sets in one box, a 36-month warranty, and a silicone/TPE build that tends to sit softer in the ear.
• Matsusho 2 biggest trade-off: this is a Lightning connector aimed at older iPhones and iPads, and it's a Bluetooth-based design — you have to enable Bluetooth before it will play.
• Pick ASKUBSKU if your phone or tablet uses USB-C and you want instant, zero-fuss audio for calls, commutes and workouts.
• Pick Matsusho 2 if you're still on a Lightning iPhone and want a backup pair plus a long warranty.
The ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds are built around one idea: plug in and go. The connector is USB-C, the connection is fully wired, and there's nothing to pair, charge or configure. On the cord you get a remote that handles volume, playback and call pick-up/hang-up, plus a built-in microphone. In my opinion, that combination is exactly what a lot of people actually want — a set that lives in a bag or a desk drawer, works the second you need it, and never asks you to think about battery percentages.
The physical design is aimed at long sessions. The 45° in-ear angle is meant to reduce the pressure and fatigue that builds up when you wear earbuds for hours, and the rounded-tip earpieces keep things simple. The build is plastic with a carry bag included, in a silver finish — light and portable rather than premium and heavy. The driver is a dynamic driver covering a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz range, which is the standard full-range window, and the noise control is sound isolation, meaning the seal does the work rather than electronics. If you're taking calls in a noisy room, the mic is there, but this is not a noise-cancelling product and it doesn't pretend to be.
So who should buy it? Anyone whose phone or tablet has a USB-C port: recent iPhone models, iPad, Samsung's S and A lines, Flip models, and Pixel devices. It also suits people who make a lot of calls, since the remote keeps the mic and volume controls within thumb reach. Who should skip it? If your phone still uses Lightning, this simply won't fit — that's the Matsusho's territory. And if you want active noise cancelling, wireless freedom, or a spare set as a backup, this single-set wired option isn't the match.
Matsusho 2 plays a different game. It's a two-pack of white in-ear earbuds with a Lightning connector, which tells you the target audience immediately: iPhone and iPad owners on the older connector, from the iPhone 14 era back through the 6 and 7, including the Pro Max, XS, XR and X lines. The earpieces use silicone and thermoplastic elastomer, materials chosen for comfort and a bit of grip, and the driver is a balanced armature type with the same 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz range as the ASKUBSKU.
The interesting wrinkle is the connectivity. Despite the wired Lightning plug, this is described as a Bluetooth connectivity version on Bluetooth 5.2. In practice that means you switch Bluetooth on in your iPhone or iPad, plug the earphones in, and they connect; on later uses they reconnect automatically within a few seconds. That's a real design decision you should understand before buying — it's not the pure analog plug-and-play experience some people expect from a wired set, and it means troubleshooting occasionally starts with "is Bluetooth on?".
What you get in return is redundancy and peace of mind. Two full sets means one can live in a bag and one at home, or one can be handed to a family member. The remote covers volume, playback and calls, and the spec sheet lists a 36-month worry-free warranty — which is unusually long for this category and, in my opinion, the single most persuasive line in the whole listing. Who should skip it? Anyone on USB-C. The Lightning plug won't fit modern iPhones or Android phones, and if you dislike Bluetooth handshakes, the auto-connect delay will annoy you.
• Best for modern phones → ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds. USB-C fits current iPhone, iPad, Samsung and Pixel hardware.
• Best for older iPhones → Matsusho 2. The Lightning connector is designed for iPhone 14 and earlier, plus Lightning iPads.
• Best for zero setup → ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds. Full wired connection with no pairing step at all.
• Best for having a backup → Matsusho 2. Two sets in the box versus one.
• Best for long listening comfort → both, with a caveat. ASKUBSKU uses a 45° in-ear angle to reduce fatigue; Matsusho uses silicone and TPE for a softer feel.
• Best for warranty peace of mind → Matsusho 2. A 36-month warranty is stated on the spec sheet; ASKUBSKU lists no comparable term.
• Best for calls on the go → ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds. Built-in mic plus remote call answer/end, with no Bluetooth link to drop.
• Best for workouts and travel → ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds. Lightweight plastic body, carry bag included, and no charging to remember.
If I were buying for myself today, I'd take the ASKUBSKU USB C Earbuds. The reason is boring but decisive: USB-C is where phones and tablets have landed, and a wired set with on-cord volume and call control is the least fragile thing you can own. I don't want to enable Bluetooth to listen to music through a cable. That said, if you're still on a Lightning iPhone, Matsusho 2 is the sensible pick — two sets, a soft silicone fit, and a 36-month warranty is a genuinely strong package for that connector. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your port before you commit.
Yes, for iPhone models with a USB-C port, along with iPad, Samsung's S and A series, Flip models, and Pixel devices. If your iPhone uses Lightning instead, it won't fit — go with the Matsusho 2.
Yes. The listing describes them as a Bluetooth connectivity version on Bluetooth 5.2, so you enable Bluetooth on your iPhone or iPad, plug them in, and they connect — automatically within a few seconds on later uses.
Which one is better for making phone calls?
Neither offers active noise cancelling. ASKUBSKU relies on sound isolation from the in-ear seal, and Matsusho 2 relies on its silicone and TPE tips sealing in your ear. For blocking out a noisy commute, fit matters more than the spec sheet here.
Matsusho 2 states a 36-month worry-free warranty. The ASKUBSKU spec sheet doesn't list a comparable warranty term, so if long coverage matters to you, that's worth weighing.
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.