We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-19 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a USB-C audio cable that turns your existing wired headphones into a modern, mic-equipped headset for iPhone 15/16/17, iPad, laptops and PCs, choose Asobilor USB-C Audio Cable; if you need a complete set of MFi-certified Lightning earbuds that plug straight into an iPhone 14 or older with zero adapters, choose iMangoo MFi Certified.
• Asobilor's biggest strength: it bridges old headphones and new USB-C devices — a 4.4ft cable with an inline mic, volume and track buttons, and a USB-C end that needs no adapter for iPhone 17/16/15, USB-C iPads, laptops and PCs.
• Asobilor's biggest trade-off: it is only a cable. If you don't already own Beats Solo2/Solo3/Solo Pro, Studio2/Studio3/Studio Pro, Mixr or Executive headphones (or other 3.5mm cans), there's nothing to plug in.
• iMangoo's biggest strength: everything is in the box — MFi-certified Lightning earbuds with a built-in mic, inline volume/track control, a 1.2m cord and a protective case, working out of the box on iPhone 14/13/12/11 Pro Max/8/7.
• iMangoo's biggest trade-off: the connector is Lightning, so it won't fit USB-C iPhones, iPads or laptops — and the earbuds are fixed, so you can't swap in your own headphones.
• Pick Asobilor if you own wired headphones and a newer USB-C device.
• Pick iMangoo if you want a simple, self-contained earbud set for an older iPhone.
The Asobilor cable solves one very specific modern problem: your favorite wired headphones still have a 3.5mm plug, but your phone, tablet or laptop no longer has a headphone jack. One end goes into your headphones, the other into a USB-C port, and you're back in business — no dongle, no adapter chain, no separate DAC hanging off your pocket. The 4.4ft length gives you a little slack at a desk or on a commute without turning into a coiled mess, and the TPE jacket with strain-relief connectors is built to survive being shoved into a bag every day.
Where it earns its keep is the inline module. There's a built-in microphone plus click buttons: a red button handles pause/resume, double-press for next track and triple-press for previous track, while the two black buttons raise and lower volume. That means you can take calls and control playback without touching your phone — genuinely useful for online meetings, remote work and daily listening. Inside, oxygen-free copper and reinforced shielding are there to keep the signal clean and low-latency, which matters if you're doing studio work or just hate hiss in quiet passages.
Who should buy it? Anyone who already owns Beats Solo2/Solo3/Solo Pro, Studio2/Studio3/Studio Pro, Mixr or Executive headphones — the cable is explicitly built around those — and who has moved to a USB-C iPhone, USB-C iPad, laptop or PC. Who should skip it? If you don't own wired headphones, or your devices are still Lightning-based, this cable has nothing to connect to. Also note the color: it comes in Pink, so if you want something that disappears against black gear, that's a look you'll have to be comfortable with.
The iMangoo set is the opposite approach: instead of adapting the headphones you own, it hands you a complete pair of Lightning earbuds. The headline feature is the MFi-certified chip, which means true plug-and-play on compatible Apple devices — no driver downloads, no setup screens, no "this accessory is not supported" pop-ups. Plug in and go. For someone who just wants audio to work on an iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 Pro Max, 8 or 7, that simplicity is the whole point.
The hardware is straightforward and sensible. The cord runs 1.2 meters, long enough to move around a desk or kitchen without yanking the phone off the table, and the inline control handles volume, track skipping and call answering. The earbuds themselves are semi in-ear with sound isolation, a 13mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance, 20 kHz frequency response and 114 dB sensitivity — specs that point to an easy-to-drive set with emphasized bass, which suits hip-hop, rock and podcasts more than critical listening. A built-in microphone covers calls, video meetings and remote learning, and it ships with a protective case.
Who should buy it? Anyone on a Lightning iPhone who wants one purchase, one plug, and no thought. Students, commuters, work-from-home callers — people who value "it just works" over upgrading their audio chain. Who should skip it? If your phone or tablet is USB-C, this is the wrong connector entirely. And because the earbuds are attached, it's a closed system — you can't bring your own headphones into it.
• Best for USB-C devices (iPhone 15/16/17, iPad, laptop, PC) → Asobilor USB-C Audio Cable. iMangoo uses Lightning and simply won't fit.
• Best for older iPhones (14/13/12/11 Pro Max/8/7) → iMangoo MFi Certified. That's exactly the port range it's designed for.
• Best if you already own Beats Solo/Studio, Mixr or Executive headphones → Asobilor. It's built to revive them on modern hardware.
• Best if you own no wired headphones at all → iMangoo. Everything you need is in the box, including a protective case.
• Best for calls and meetings → both, honestly. Each has a built-in mic and inline controls; Asobilor suits laptop/PC meetings, iMangoo suits phone calls.
• Best for sound you can tune to your taste → Asobilor. Because it feeds your own headphones, the final sound is whatever your cans deliver.
• Best for bass-forward casual listening out of the box → iMangoo. The 13mm dynamic driver and 114 dB sensitivity point to a punchy, easy-to-drive earbud.
• Best for a longer reach at a desk → Asobilor. Its 4.4ft cable beats iMangoo's 1.2m cord slightly.
• Best for low-maintenance simplicity → iMangoo. MFi certification means no compatibility guesswork on supported Apple gear.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to what's already in your drawer. If you own a decent pair of wired Beats or similar headphones and you've moved to a USB-C iPhone, iPad or laptop, I'd buy the Asobilor USB-C Audio Cable — it's the cheapest-feeling kind of upgrade: you keep the sound you like and just change the plug. If you don't own wired headphones, or you're still on a Lightning iPhone and want a no-brainer set with a mic and case included, I'd buy the iMangoo MFi Certified instead. Neither is "better" in the abstract; they solve different problems. Match the connector to your device and you'll be happy either way.
FAQ
No. The iMangoo set uses a Lightning connector, so it's intended for iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 Pro Max, 8 and 7 — not USB-C models.
Yes. Asobilor has an inline mic with volume, track and call buttons; iMangoo has a built-in mic plus inline volume, track skipping and call answering.
They're different products, so the answer differs by use. Asobilor passes audio to your own headphones, so quality depends on those cans, with oxygen-free copper and shielding helping keep the signal clean. iMangoo is a self-contained earbud with a 13mm dynamic driver and emphasized bass. If you care about price, check the current price on Amazon for each before deciding.
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.