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Updated: 2026-09-25 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Cirafon Apple MFi Certified — biggest strength: it turns a Lightning iPhone into a 3.5mm headphone jack again, with lossless audio output up to 48KHz/24bit and a 100% pure copper core for stable signal transmission.
• Cirafon Apple MFi Certified — biggest trade-off: it does not support calls or language control, so it is a music-playback adapter only, and it needs a Lightning port to work at all.
• TOPAUX USB Type C — biggest strength: it is a complete set of wired USB-C earbuds with an adjustable 15-degree over-ear hook, an inline mic and controls, a cable fixer and a zipper case — nothing else required.
• TOPAUX USB Type C — biggest trade-off: it only works with USB-C audio devices, so Lightning iPhones are out unless you already have a USB-C iPhone, and it is a single pair rather than a multi-pack.
• Who each pick is for: Cirafon is for anyone with a Lightning iPhone and a favorite pair of 3.5mm headphones; TOPAUX is for USB-C phone, tablet and laptop users who want open-ear comfort and a mic for calls and study.
The Cirafon adapter is a translator. It takes the Lightning port on an iPhone and gives it back the round 3.5mm jack that phones used to have. That sounds small, but for anyone who owns a good pair of wired headphones, it is the difference between using them daily and leaving them in a drawer. The adapter supports lossless audio output up to 48KHz/24bit, and Cirafon credits a 100% pure copper core for fast, stable signal transmission. It is plug and play — no setup, no software, no pairing. Plug it in and press play.
The trade-off is honest and worth repeating: this adapter does not support calls or language control. It is for music playback. If you need a microphone, look elsewhere. And if your iPhone is a USB-C model, this adapter has no port to plug into — skip it entirely. Cirafon backs it with a lifetime warranty and builds it from wear-resistant ABS and TPE with metal connectors, which is reassuring for something that lives in a pocket. It measures 6.3 x 3.54 x 0.1 inches and weighs 9.07 grams, so it disappears into a wallet or wraps neatly around a headphone cable.
TOPAUX USB Type C: Who It's For
The TOPAUX USB Type C is not an adapter. It is the headphones. You get a wired USB-C headset with an open-ear, over-ear hook design, a built-in mic, inline controls, a cable fixer clip and a zipper PU storage case. For a USB-C iPhone 15, 16 or 17 Pro Max, or a Samsung, Pixel, iPad or laptop with USB-C audio, that means you plug in and you are done — no dongle, no charging, no pairing.
The design is the interesting part. Instead of sealing a silicone tip into your ear canal, the TOPAUX hooks over your ear with a 15-degree adjustable arm that fits kids through adults. That open-ear placement keeps you aware of your surroundings and avoids the pressure that in-ear buds create over long sessions. TOPAUX calls it lightweight for extended wear, and the spec sheet backs the intent: 32 ohm impedance, a dynamic driver, and a 20–20000 Hz frequency range, which is the standard full-range span for music and speech. The newest DAC chip is there to handle the digital-to-analog conversion inside the USB-C plug itself, which is exactly what a USB-C headset has to do.
Then there are the controls, and this is where TOPAUX pulls ahead of the Cirafon adapter for everyday use. Play, pause, answer, end and reject calls, skip songs, volume up and down, and wake Siri or the Android voice assistant — all from the inline remote. The mic makes it a genuine calling and study headset, not just a listening device. TOPAUX pitches it for study, work, commuting, travel, gaming and live broadcasting, and ships it with a cable fixer to stop the wire swinging and a zipper case for storage. It is rated for ages six and up. The main skip conditions: your phone still uses Lightning, or you specifically want to keep using your own existing headphones. In both cases, this is not your product.
• Best for reviving wired 3.5mm headphones → Cirafon Apple MFi Certified. It is the only one of the two that gives a Lightning iPhone a headphone jack.
• Best for calls and voice assistants → TOPAUX USB Type C. The Cirafon adapter explicitly does not support calls or language control; the TOPAUX has a mic and full inline controls including Siri and Android voice assistant.
• Best for USB-C phones, tablets and laptops → TOPAUX USB Type C. iPhone 15/16/17 Pro Max, Samsung, Pixel, iPad and laptops with USB-C audio are all in scope.
• Best for Lightning iPhones → Cirafon Apple MFi Certified. iPhone 14 and older, plus Lightning iPads and iPods, are covered.
• Best for long-wear comfort → TOPAUX USB Type C. The open-ear, 15-degree adjustable hook avoids in-ear pressure for kids and adults alike.
• Best for keeping your own headphones → Cirafon Apple MFi Certified. It works with any 3.5mm headphones, speaker or aux cable you already own.
• Best for travel and sharing → Cirafon Apple MFi Certified. Three adapters means one for the bag, one for the car, one for home.
• Best all-in-one kit → TOPAUX USB Type C. Earbuds, mic, controls, cable fixer and zipper case arrive together; nothing extra to buy.
If I had to pick one, I would buy the TOPAUX USB Type C for a USB-C iPhone or Android user who wants a complete, self-contained headset for studying, calls and commuting. It does more jobs — listening, talking, controlling playback — without any extra parts, and the open-ear hook is genuinely thoughtful for long wear. But I would buy the Cirafon Apple MFi Certified without hesitation if I owned a Lightning iPhone and a pair of wired headphones I refuse to give up. The three-pack and the lossless 48KHz/24bit output make it a practical, no-fuss fix. Match the product to your port and your habits, and you will be happy with either.
FAQ
how to use headphones for iphone
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 moved to USB-C, so a Lightning adapter will not fit. You need either USB-C headphones like the TOPAUX USB Type C, which plug straight in, or a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter for your existing wired pair. The TOPAUX also carries a mic and inline controls, so it handles calls too.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
Same story as the iPhone 15: the iPhone 16 uses USB-C, so the Cirafon Lightning adapter is not compatible. Use USB-C earbuds such as the TOPAUX, which connect directly with no dongle, or a USB-C audio adapter if you want to keep your own 3.5mm headphones.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
Check your port first. Lightning iPhones (14 and older) can use the Cirafon adapter with any 3.5mm headphones for music. USB-C iPhones need USB-C headphones like the TOPAUX or a USB-C audio adapter. Both routes are wired, so there is no pairing or battery to manage.
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See also: Matsusho Apple MFi Certified vs YINYOO USB C Splitter, 1STCHAMP Apple MFi Certified vs Tanzoizoi USB-C Noise-Cancelling, UGREEN Headphone Adapter vs iMangoo Apple MFi-Certified