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Updated: 2026-09-24 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
These two products sit in completely different corners of the headphone world, and that is exactly why this comparison is worth your time. One is a charging cable built around the idea of universal headphones. The other is a replacement top cushion for a specific style of pilot headset. If you landed here while searching for "universal headphones," you are probably trying to figure out what that phrase even means — and whether either of these items actually delivers on it. Let's break both down honestly.
• ienza Short Universal Multi — biggest strength: a single 12-inch cable that splits into the three most common earbud/headset charging connectors (micro-USB and USB-C among them), so it covers old and new gear from Sony, Beats, Jaybird, Anker, Jabra, Samsung, JBL, Tozo, Raycon and more.
• ienza Short Universal Multi — biggest trade-off: it is a charger, not a fix for comfort or sound; if your headband is worn out or your pads are flat, this cable does nothing for you.
• HELETUL Headphone Headband — biggest strength: a thick silicone foam top cushion with a PU leather cover, designed to absorb shock on the crown of your head during long wear, with a two-layer channel to keep headset wiring tidy.
• HELETUL Headphone Headband — biggest trade-off: it is a replacement pad for general aviation headsets, not a general-purpose accessory for everyday music headphones or earbuds.
• Who each pick is for: the ienza cable is for the person drowning in mismatched charging cords for a drawer full of earbuds. The HELETUL pad is for a pilot or aviation headset user whose top cushion has flattened out.
The ienza Short Universal Multi is a USB charging cable with a twist: instead of one fixed connector, it gives you the three most commonly used earbud and headset tips in one place, including micro-USB and USB Type C. It's roughly 12 inches long, which is a deliberate choice — short enough to stay tidy on a desk or in a bag, long enough to reach from a laptop port or a power bank.
What it does best is eliminate the connector guessing game. The compatibility list is genuinely broad: Sony, Beats Flex and Studio Buds, Jaybird, PowerBeats, Anker, Jabra, Samsung Galaxy Buds, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, JBL Tune, Tozo, Raycon, Skullcandy, JVC, LG, Bose, and even iPhone-adjacent gear. If your household has a mix of old micro-USB earbuds and newer USB-C headphones, this single cable means you stop hunting for the right cord every time something needs a top-up.
Who should buy it: frequent travelers, commuters, and anyone with a junk drawer full of orphaned charging cables. It pairs naturally with a power bank, which is the use case it seems designed around. The compact length and light weight make it easy to leave in a laptop bag permanently.
Who should skip it: if your problem is comfort, not charging, this is the wrong purchase. It won't fix a cracked headband, flat pads, or a loose fit. It's also not a data cable you'd reach for to transfer files — think of it as a charging solution first. And if you only own one pair of USB-C headphones and already have a cable for them, you don't need this.
In my opinion, the ienza cable earns its place as the "universal" pick in this matchup — not because it plays audio, but because it solves the single most common annoyance across every brand of earbud: keeping them charged with one cord instead of five.
The HELETUL Headphone Headband is a completely different animal. It's a replacement top cushion — a headpad — designed for David Clark pilot general aviation headsets and similar GA headsets. The headline material is a thick silicone foam rather than ordinary sponge foam, which is the detail that matters most here: silicone foam is chosen for shock absorption and for holding its shape under extended wear.
The cover is PU leather with a magic-adhesive (hook-and-loop style) backing, so it stays put instead of sliding around on the band. There's also a two-layer cable design with separated channels, which routes headset wiring neatly between the layers and keeps it protected and tangle-free under the pad. The package includes one pad.
Who should buy it: pilots, student aviators, and audio professionals using over-ear general aviation headsets whose original top cushion has compressed, cracked, or become uncomfortable on long flights. The adult sizing and aviation focus make it a targeted fix rather than a universal accessory.
Who should skip it: if you're using everyday Bluetooth headphones for music, gaming, or commuting, this isn't the pad for you. It's built around the shape and wiring of aviation headsets. And if your headset's top band is still comfortable, there's no reason to replace it — this is a repair-and-comfort part, not an upgrade.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for charging a mixed drawer of earbuds and headphones → ienza Short Universal Multi. One cable, three connector types, broad brand coverage.
• Best for restoring comfort on a David Clark-style aviation headset → HELETUL Headphone Headband. Silicone foam top cushion with a non-slip PU leather cover.
• Best for travel and power bank use → ienza Short Universal Multi. The 12-inch length and light weight are made for a bag.
• Best for long-wear shock absorption on the crown of your head → HELETUL Headphone Headband. That's the entire point of the thick silicone foam.
• Best for keeping headset wiring organized → HELETUL Headphone Headband. The two-layer separated cable channels handle this directly.
• Best for old micro-USB earbuds you refuse to retire → ienza Short Universal Multi. It explicitly covers older-generation gear, not just current USB-C models.
• Best for pilots and aviation professionals → HELETUL Headphone Headband. Universal size across most general aviation headsets.
• Best if you're unsure which one you need → decide by problem, not by category. Charging problem, pick the cable. Comfort problem on an aviation headset, pick the pad.
If I had to buy one of these today, I'd buy the ienza Short Universal Multi — but only because I'm answering the question most people searching "universal headphones" are actually asking: how do I charge all this mixed gear without a drawer full of cords? In my opinion, it's the more broadly useful product for a typical household, and its compatibility list is unusually wide.
That said, this isn't a case where one product beats the other outright. They solve unrelated problems. If you're a pilot with a flattened headband, the HELETUL pad is the one that will actually improve your day, and the ienza cable would be useless to you. Match the product to your problem and you'll be happy either way. Before you commit, check the current price on Amazon using the button on this page.
what is universal headphones
"Universal headphones" isn't a formal product category — it's a loose term for gear that claims broad compatibility across brands and devices. In practice, it usually describes accessories like the ienza cable, which works with many earbud and headset models using micro-USB or USB-C connectors, rather than one specific brand's proprietary plug.
what are universal headphones
The phrase typically refers to headphones or headphone accessories designed to fit or work with a wide range of devices instead of one ecosystem. The HELETUL pad follows the same logic on the comfort side: its universal sizing is meant to fit most general aviation headsets, not a single model.
are headphones universal
No — headphones are not universally interchangeable. Connectors differ (micro-USB, USB-C, 3.5 mm), headbands differ, and cushions differ. That's why products like the ienza cable exist: to bridge multiple connector types, and why a pad like the HELETUL is sized for a specific headset family.
are gaming headphones universal
Not really. Gaming headphones often use their own connectors, dongles, or software, so a cable that charges earbuds won't necessarily suit them. If your goal is charging a mix of earbuds and standard headsets, the ienza cable covers the common micro-USB and USB-C cases; for aviation headset comfort, the HELETUL pad is the relevant part.
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