How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-21 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
These two products get lumped together because both are small, cheap-looking audio accessories that sit between you and your headphones. But they solve opposite problems. One splits a signal that already exists. The other recreates a signal that your device stopped offering. Read on and you'll know which one belongs in your bag.
• DUKABEL Headphone Splitter — biggest strength: one 4-pole 3.5mm male plug fans out to two 3.5mm female ports, so two people can listen from a single jack, and the 4-pole wiring can also carry mic input on a combo jack.
• DUKABEL Headphone Splitter — biggest trade-off: it only works on devices that already have a 3.5mm jack, and mic function is limited — no Apple/Bose/Beats headphone mic support, and only 4-pole TRRS mics, not 3-pole TRS.
• Criello USB C — biggest strength: it converts a USB-C port into a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is the only way to use wired headphones on phones and tablets that dropped the analog port.
• Criello USB C — biggest trade-off: it has a single output port, so there is no sharing, and it is useless on any device that still has a real headphone jack.
• Who each pick is for: DUKABEL for two people sharing one phone, PC or console controller; Criello for one person with wired headphones and a USB-C-only device.
The DUKABEL splitter is a Y cable, plain and simple: a 3.5mm 4-pole male plug on one end, two 3.5mm female jacks on the other, with a short run of braided cable between them. Plug it into your phone, laptop, tablet, PS4/PS5 controller, Switch or Xbox controller, and two pairs of headphones can listen to the same thing. That's the core job, and it's the job most people buy it for — watching a movie on a plane seatback screen, splitting a laptop between two people on a long flight, or letting a kid listen along on a tablet.
Who should buy it: anyone with a device that still has a 3.5mm jack who regularly wants two people listening at once, or who wants to run a mic and headphones through a single combo jack. Who should skip it: anyone on a phone, tablet or laptop with no headphone jack — the splitter has nothing to plug into. Also skip it if you specifically want to use Apple, Bose or Beats headphone mics, or a 3-pole TRS microphone, because the sheet is explicit that those aren't supported for mic function. And if you only ever listen alone, a splitter adds a connection you don't need.
Criello USB C: Who It's For
The Criello adapter solves the opposite problem. It's a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle that gives a USB-C device a headphone jack it doesn't have. The compatibility list is the headline: iPhone 17/16/15 Pro/Max/Plus, iPad, MacBook, and Samsung Galaxy S24/S23 Ultra. If you own wired headphones you actually like, and your phone or laptop no longer has a jack, this is the bridge that keeps them in service instead of forcing you into Bluetooth.
It's sold as a 2-pack, which is the smart part of the design decision. One dongle lives permanently on your desk or in your laptop bag, the other stays clipped to your keys or in your pocket, so you're not the person who forgot the adapter and can't use their own headphones. It's small, white, ABS-finished, weighs about an ounce for the pair, and needs no plug or power — it draws what it needs from the USB-C port. Criello backs it with a 1-year limited manufacturer warranty, which is a reasonable safety net for an accessory this small.
Who should buy it: anyone whose phone, tablet or laptop has USB-C but no 3.5mm jack, and who wants to keep using wired headphones — for calls, for latency-free audio while gaming or editing, or simply to avoid charging a second device. The 2-pack makes it easy to keep one in each place you listen. Who should skip it: anyone whose device still has a real headphone jack, because there's no reason to convert a port you already have. Also skip it if you want two people listening at once — it has one port and splits nothing. And note the sheet lists it as compatible with specific devices; if your model isn't in that list, verify before assuming it will work.
• Best for sharing audio between two people → DUKABEL Headphone Splitter. Two female ports, one source, that's the whole point.
• Best for devices with no headphone jack → Criello USB C. It exists specifically to restore a 3.5mm port on USB-C phones, tablets and laptops.
• Best for mic input alongside headphones → DUKABEL Headphone Splitter. The 4-pole TRRS design supports audio out and mic in at the same time on a combo jack.
• Best for keeping wired headphones alive on a new phone → Criello USB C. Listed for iPhone 17/16/15, iPad, MacBook and Galaxy S24/S23 Ultra.
• Best for durability in a bag → DUKABEL Headphone Splitter. Nylon braid, triple shielding, gold-plated contacts and metal housings are all called out in the spec.
• Best for having a spare on hand → Criello USB C. It ships as a 2-pack, so one can live in each bag.
• Best for gaming or low-latency listening → Criello USB C (on USB-C-only gear), DUKABEL (on gear with a jack). Both keep audio wired; the deciding factor is which port your device actually has.
• Best for simplicity → neither, if you don't need it. Buying the wrong one of these two is the single easiest way to waste money here.
For most people reading this, I'd buy the Criello USB C — because the reason someone searches these two products together is usually that their new phone or laptop lost the headphone jack, and that's a problem only the dongle solves. The splitter is genuinely well built and I'd recommend it without hesitation to anyone with a 3.5mm jack who wants to share audio or run a mic, but it can't help you if there's no jack to plug into. In my opinion, the 2-pack plus the 1-year warranty makes the Criello the more broadly useful pick in 2026. If your device still has a jack and you want two people listening, flip the decision and take the DUKABEL.
It depends on the iPhone. The Criello is listed as compatible with iPhone 17/16/15 Pro/Max/Plus over USB-C, and it's the one that gives you a headphone jack on those models. The DUKABEL is a 3.5mm splitter and its sheet says it does not support Apple headphone mic function, so it isn't the right choice for iPhone audio sharing with Apple headsets.
No. It has a single port, so it converts USB-C to one 3.5mm output. If sharing is your goal and your device has a 3.5mm jack, the DUKABEL splitter is the correct tool. If your device is USB-C only, you'd need a different solution entirely.
The DUKABEL does, with limits: it supports audio output and mic input at the same time, but only with a 4-pole TRRS microphone or headset, and not with 3-pole TRS mics or Apple/Bose/Beats headphone mics. The Criello sheet describes it as a headphone jack adapter, so treat it as playback-focused.
Check the ports first. If your device has a 3.5mm jack, the DUKABEL splitter works and the Criello is unnecessary. If it's USB-C only, the Criello is the one to consider, but confirm your exact model appears in its compatibility list. And since prices change, check the current price on Amazon before you commit to either.
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.