We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-17 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a simple, Apple-certified way to listen on Lightning iPhones while charging, choose HOYULLI Dual Lightning Charge; if you need one adapter that handles modern USB-C phones, tablets and laptops with high-fidelity audio, choose Criello USB-C.
• HOYULLI's biggest strength: It's an MFI-certified Lightning splitter built specifically for iPhones and iPads with a Lightning port, and it comes as a two-pack.
• HOYULLI's biggest trade-off: It only works with Lightning devices, so it's a dead end if you've moved to USB-C.
• Criello's biggest strength: A 3-in-1 design that splits one USB-C port into PD fast charging, a USB-C headphone jack, and a 3.5mm audio jack, with an advanced DAC chip rated for 24bit/48kHz audio.
• Criello's biggest trade-off: It's USB-C only, so it won't help anyone still on a Lightning iPhone.
• Who each pick is for: HOYULLI suits Lightning iPhone/iPad owners who want a spare adapter (or two) for charging plus wired listening; Criello suits USB-C phone, tablet and laptop users who want fast charging and studio-grade sound in one dongle.
The HOYULLI Dual Lightning Charge is a niche tool, and it knows it. It's a 2-in-1 Lightning adapter that gives you an AUX jack for wired headphones plus a pass-through so you can keep charging at the same time. The headline spec here is the MFI certification, which is the approval program Apple runs for Lightning accessories — that matters because uncertified Lightning dongles are the ones most likely to throw up "accessory not supported" warnings or refuse to pass audio at all. HOYULLI lists compatibility with iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11 Pro Max and 8 Plus, plus iPad Air, so if your daily driver is a Lightning iPhone, this is squarely aimed at you.
Who should skip it? Anyone on a USB-C phone. If you've got an iPhone 15 or newer, a modern iPad, or an Android device, this adapter has nothing to plug into. It's also not the pick if you want high-resolution audio processing — there's no DAC chip mentioned in the spec, so this is about convenience (charge + listen) rather than audiophile sound. In my opinion, buy it if you're committed to Lightning for the next while and you want a certified, no-drama splitter with a backup included.
Criello USB-C: Who It's For
The Criello USB-C adapter is the modern counterpart, and it's doing more work. It splits a single USB-C port three ways: a USB-C port for PD fast charging, a USB-C headphone jack, and a 3.5mm audio jack. That means you can charge and listen at the same time, and it also supports volume adjustment while charging — a small detail, but one cheaper splitters often get wrong.
The audio side is where Criello makes its case. It uses an advanced DAC chip with 24bit/48kHz resolution and active noise cancellation, which is a real step up from a passive pass-through. For music, movies and calls, that translates to cleaner detail and less distortion than a basic dongle. Durability is spelled out too: a relief strain design rated for 20,000+ bending tests, metal-coated connectors for stable contact, aircraft-grade aluminum connectors and an abrasion-resistant TPE cable. Its power plug is Type C with a nominal 60W rating, 20V input and 3A current — so it can carry serious charging wattage, not just a trickle.
Compatibility is broad: iPhone 15/16/17 Pro/Plus/Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S23 down through S21 and Note 20/10 series, iPad mini 6, iPad Pro 2022/2021/2020, iPad Air 6/5/4, MacBook Pro/Air, Huawei Mate and P-series, Google Pixel 8/7 and more. It's grey, measures 5.22 x 1.2 x 0.15 inches, weighs 0.01 kg and carries a 1-year manufacturer warranty. Two caveats worth knowing: USB-C headphones can't be used at the same time as 3.5mm headphones, and you must not plug the charging cable into the headphone jack. Who should skip it? Lightning iPhone owners — it simply won't fit.
• Best for Lightning iPhones and iPads → HOYULLI Dual Lightning Charge. MFI-certified, built for the 14/13/12/11 Pro Max, 8 Plus and iPad Air.
• Best for USB-C phones, tablets and laptops → Criello USB-C. Covers iPhone 15/16/17, Galaxy S21–S23, Note 20/10, iPad Pro/Air, MacBook and Pixel.
• Best for audio quality → Criello USB-C. The advanced DAC chip with 24bit/48kHz resolution and active noise cancellation beats a plain pass-through.
• Best for charging speed → Criello USB-C. PD fast charging with a 60W nominal rating, 20V input and 3A current is built for high-wattage bricks.
• Best for durability claims → Criello USB-C. Relief strain design rated for 20,000+ bending tests, aluminum connectors and a TPE cable.
• Best for having a spare on hand → HOYULLI Dual Lightning Charge. It ships as a two-pack, so you get a backup unit.
• Best for travel simplicity → HOYULLI Dual Lightning Charge. Two ports, one job, no setup — ideal if you just want charge-and-listen on an older iPhone.
• Best for mixed-device households → Criello USB-C. One adapter that covers USB-C phones, tablets and laptops at once.
If I were buying today, I'd pick the Criello USB-C. In my opinion it's the more future-proof purchase: three ports, PD fast charging at up to 60W nominal, a real DAC chip for 24bit/48kHz audio, and a durability story that's actually specified rather than implied. It covers iPhone 15 and newer, most recent Samsung and Pixel phones, iPads and even MacBooks — that's a lot of devices for one small dongle. The HOYULLI two-pack is genuinely smart if you're staying on a Lightning iPhone and want a certified spare, but it locks you to an older connector. For most people reading this in 2026, Criello is the one I'd reach for.
Yes. HOYULLI lists MFI certification, which is Apple's approval program for Lightning accessories, and the adapter is aimed at Lightning iPhones and iPad Air.
Yes. It splits the USB-C port into PD fast charging plus the audio jacks, with a 60W nominal power rating, 20V input and 3A current.
No. Criello states USB-C headphones can't be used simultaneously with 3.5mm headphones, and the charging cable must go in the charging port, not the headphone jack.
I don't quote prices here — they change often. Use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the live price for both before you decide.
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