How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a lightweight, kid-friendly wired headphone that works with basically any 3.5mm device and is built to survive classroom and travel abuse, choose Bulktech 1; if you need a USB-C over-ear headphone with an inline mic and controls for calls, gaming and long listening sessions on modern phones and laptops, choose ApilWave Headphones USB C.
• Bulktech 1 biggest strength: A 3.5mm jack that plugs into tablets, phones, PCs and Chromebooks, plus a lightweight on-ear build with swivel cups and a thick cable made for daily handling by kids and adults.
• Bulktech 1 biggest trade-off: No microphone and no inline controls, so it is a pure listening headphone rather than a call or meeting tool.
• ApilWave Headphones USB C biggest strength: USB-C connectivity with an in-line HD mic and multi-function button for play/pause, track skipping and hands-free calls, plus a foldable over-ear design and a braided tangle-free cable.
• ApilWave Headphones USB C biggest trade-off: It needs a USB-C port, so older 3.5mm-only hardware will not work with it without an adapter.
• Who each pick is for: Bulktech 1 suits classrooms, libraries, kids and shared 3.5mm devices; ApilWave suits USB-C phone, laptop and gaming users who want a mic and controls on the cable.
The Bulktech 1 is a single-purpose headphone, and I mean that as a compliment. It is a wired on-ear model with a 3.5mm jack, a 5-foot cord, 32 ohm impedance and a dynamic driver covering a 20–100 Hz frequency range. There is no microphone and no volume or track control on the cable, so everything you do happens on the device it is plugged into. If you want a headphone that just plays audio the moment you plug it in, that simplicity is the whole point.
Where it earns its place is in shared or supervised environments. The spec sheet lists classrooms, airlines, libraries, art galleries, kindergartens, health centers, museums and computer classes, and that list tells you exactly what this thing was designed for. The build is lightweight and adjustable, the ear cushions are soft, the cups swivel so they stack flat for storage, and the wiring is described as thick and extra durable for daily use by children. It weighs four ounces, which is light enough that younger users will not fight it.
ApilWave Headphones USB C: Who It's For
The ApilWave Headphones USB C is the more feature-loaded of the two. It is an over-ear design with oval earcups, a 40 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance and a 20 KHz frequency response. The earcups use protein leather and memory foam, the headband is adjustable, and the cups rotate 90 degrees so you can fold the headset down, slide it into the included storage pouch, or hang it around your neck between calls. At roughly 0.1 kg, it is built to be worn for long stretches rather than in short bursts.
The real differentiator is the cable. You get a 1.2-meter braided, tangle-free cord with an in-line HD microphone and a multi-function button: one click plays or pauses, two clicks skip forward, three clicks go back. Calls, online classes and music control all happen without touching your device. That is a genuinely useful setup for commuting, workouts, gaming sessions and school, and it is why the spec sheet markets it toward computer, iPhone and airplane-travel use.
The catch is connectivity. This is a USB-C headphone, so it needs a USB-C port on your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. If you are still on a 3.5mm-only device, it will not plug in directly. It is also listed as not water resistant, so sweat-heavy workouts are a riskier use case than the marketing suggests. And while the brand lists a two-year warranty description, that is a manufacturer statement, not something I can verify for you. In my opinion, this is the better pick for anyone whose daily driver is a modern USB-C phone or laptop and who wants the mic and controls handled on the cable.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for battery life → Bulktech 1. Both are wired, so neither needs charging, but the Bulktech 1 has no electronics in the cable at all, which means nothing to fail and nothing to power.
• Best for kids and classrooms → Bulktech 1. Lightweight on-ear fit, adjustable headband, swivel cups for stacking, and a thick cable described as durable enough for daily use by children.
• Best for long listening sessions → ApilWave Headphones USB C. Over-ear oval cups with protein leather and memory foam spread pressure over a larger area than on-ear pads do.
• Best for travel and commuting → ApilWave Headphones USB C. Foldable cups, a storage pouch and a tangle-free braided cable are all travel-friendly details the Bulktech 1 does not offer.
• Best for older devices → Bulktech 1. The 3.5mm jack covers tablets, phones, PCs, Chromebooks and other smart devices; the ApilWave needs USB-C.
• Best for gaming and school → ApilWave Headphones USB C. The 40 mm driver and the listed use cases point that way, and the inline controls mean no alt-tabbing to change tracks.
• Best for a no-fuss spare → Bulktech 1. No mic, no buttons, no setup. Plug in and listen.
If I were buying for myself, I would take the ApilWave Headphones USB C. The combination of USB-C connectivity, an in-line mic, cable controls, over-ear memory foam cushions and a foldable frame covers more of what I actually do day to day: calls, music, travel and long sessions at a laptop. The Bulktech 1 is the one I would buy for a kid, a classroom, or a shared device with a 3.5mm jack, because it is simple, light and built for rough handling. Neither is a premium headphone, and neither pretends to be. Pick based on your port, not the marketing.
how to make cheap headphones sound better
Start with fit, since a proper seal and correct positioning matter more than anything else on budget models. On the ApilWave, use the adjustable headband and rotating cups to center the 40 mm drivers over your ears. On the Bulktech 1, make sure the on-ear cushions sit flat against your ears rather than resting on the edge. Beyond that, check your device's audio settings and avoid pushing volume into distortion.
how to get cheap headphones
Decide on your connector first, because that eliminates half the market. If your phone or laptop has USB-C, the ApilWave Headphones USB C is the more capable option with its mic and inline controls. If you are on 3.5mm, the Bulktech 1 covers tablets, PCs and Chromebooks. Then confirm the features you need — mic, controls, foldability — before you buy, since cheap headphones rarely add them later.
how to pair cheap headphones
Both of these are wired, so there is no pairing involved. You plug the Bulktech 1 into a 3.5mm jack, or the ApilWave Headphones USB C into a USB-C port, and the device recognizes it. If nothing plays, check that the connector is fully seated and that your device has not defaulted to a different audio output. Wired headphones like these are actually the simplest option for anyone who finds Bluetooth pairing frustrating.
what is the cheapest headphones
That depends entirely on what you need them to do, so check the current price on Amazon before deciding. The Bulktech 1 strips out the mic and controls, which usually makes it the leaner purchase for pure listening. The ApilWave Headphones USB C adds USB-C, an in-line mic, cable controls and a storage pouch, so it does more for whatever it costs. Buy on features and connector type rather than on the lowest number alone.
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