We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-26 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want to keep using the wired headphones you already own on a Lightning iPhone, choose JSAUX Headphone Adapter; if you need a complete USB-C wired earbud setup for a modern iPhone or Android phone, choose ABCPOW Earbuds USB C.
• JSAUX Headphone Adapter — biggest strength: Apple MFi certification plus a strain-relief design rated to survive 15,000+ bends, so it turns a Lightning port into a 3.5mm jack reliably and keeps full inline controls and Siri working.
• JSAUX Headphone Adapter — biggest trade-off: it is only a converter, so it does nothing for USB-C devices, and it is explicitly not compatible with USB-C iPads like the 2018 iPad Pro 11"/12.9" or the 2021 iPad Mini.
• ABCPOW Earbuds USB C — biggest strength: a complete plug-and-play USB-C wired earbud set with a built-in microphone, 20Hz–20,000Hz dynamic drivers, three sizes of eartips and a two-pack in the box.
• ABCPOW Earbuds USB C — biggest trade-off: it is a whole new set of earbuds rather than an adapter, call support varies by device, and it depends on a USB-C port, so Lightning iPhones are out.
• Who each pick is for: the JSAUX adapter is for anyone who already loves a pair of 3.5mm headphones and has a Lightning iPhone; the ABCPOW earbuds are for anyone on a USB-C iPhone or Android phone who wants a wired pair ready to go.
This is a small grey dongle with one job: it changes a Lightning port into a 3.5mm audio jack. It measures about 7 inches long with a slim 0.15-inch profile, so it hangs off the phone without adding real bulk. The housing is aluminum and the cable is nylon braided, which is the combination you want in something that lives in a pocket or a bag and gets yanked around. JSAUX also builds in a strain-relief section rated to take more than 15,000 bends in the company's lab testing — that matters because the failure point on adapters like this is almost always right where the cable meets the plug.
The part I'd pay attention to is the Apple MFi certification. In plain terms, that means the adapter was built to Apple's licensing requirements, which is why JSAUX can promise it connects without the "this accessory is not supported" error message that plagues cheap uncertified dongles. Functionality carries over too: volume, play/pause, track skipping, answering calls and Siri all keep working through the adapter when your headphones have an inline remote. Audio-wise, the spec sheet lists a sampling rate up to 48KHz with noise filtering, and JSAUX positions it as clean playback with no dropouts for music and podcasts.
ABCPOW Earbuds USB C: Who It's For
This is the other philosophy entirely: instead of adapting what you own, you get new wired earbuds built around a USB-C plug. The ABCPOW set is an in-ear design with a plastic and silicone body, a TPE cord in white, and dynamic drivers covering 20Hz to 20,000Hz — the standard full-range span, which tells you these are tuned for everyday listening rather than any exotic audiophile claim. Noise control is handled by sound isolation, the passive kind that comes from a good in-ear seal rather than active noise cancelling, and the control method is a push button on the cord.
Two things stand out in the details. First, it's a two-pack: you get two 4-foot USB-C wired headphones, two small clips, and each pair ships with three sizes of eartips (S, M, L), so you can fit them properly and keep a spare set in a bag or at a desk. Second, there's a built-in microphone, which makes these usable for calls and voice chat — with a caveat ABCPOW states plainly: some devices, including MacBook and iPad Pro, support music playback only and won't handle phone calls through these. There's also a practical tip worth knowing — if you plug in and hear nothing, slide the inline volume switch up or try another port.
Who should buy it: you're on a USB-C phone — iPhone 15, 16 or 17 series, or a Samsung Galaxy S or A series, Z Fold or Z Flip — and you want a wired pair with a mic that just works when you plug it in, no dongle in the chain. The two-pack and three eartip sizes make it a sensible pick for commuters, students or anyone who loses earbuds constantly. Who should skip it: Lightning iPhone owners, since there's no Lightning option here, and anyone whose main use is calls on a laptop or iPad Pro, where ABCPOW says call functionality may not be available.
• Best for reusing headphones you already own → JSAUX Headphone Adapter. It converts rather than replaces, so your existing 3.5mm gear keeps its sound signature.
• Best for a complete out-of-the-box solution → ABCPOW Earbuds USB C. Earbuds, mic, eartips and a spare pair all arrive together.
• Best for Lightning iPhones → JSAUX Headphone Adapter. The MFi certification covers iPhone 14 and older plus SE, XS, XR and 8 series.
• Best for USB-C iPhones and Android → ABCPOW Earbuds USB C. It lists iPhone 15/16/17 families and a long list of Galaxy S, A, Z Fold and Z Flip models.
• Best for inline controls and Siri → JSAUX Headphone Adapter. Volume, track skip, calls and Siri all pass through when your headphones have a remote.
• Best for call and voice-chat use → ABCPOW Earbuds USB C, with the caveat that some devices are music-only, so check your specific device.
• Best for durability in a pocket → JSAUX Headphone Adapter. The aluminum housing, nylon braid and 15,000+ bend strain relief are built for abuse.
• Best for sharing or backup → ABCPOW Earbuds USB C. Two full pairs and three eartip sizes in one box.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: do you already own wired headphones you love? If yes, I'd buy the JSAUX Headphone Adapter — MFi certification, working inline controls, and a strain relief rated for 15,000+ bends make it the safer long-term bridge between a Lightning iPhone and a 3.5mm jack. If you're on a USB-C phone and want earbuds with a mic without adding a dongle, I'd buy the ABCPOW Earbuds USB C instead, mainly for the two-pack and the three eartip sizes. Neither is a universal answer, and that's fine — they solve different problems.
how to use headphones for iphone
If your iPhone still has a Lightning port and your headphones end in a 3.5mm plug, you need an adapter like the JSAUX Headphone Adapter: plug the adapter into the phone, plug the headphones into the adapter, and your inline volume, track and call controls keep working. If your iPhone has USB-C, a USB-C wired set like the ABCPOW earbuds plugs straight in with no adapter at all.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 series uses USB-C rather than Lightning, so the JSAUX Lightning adapter won't fit. You'd connect USB-C wired earbuds like the ABCPOW set directly, or use a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter if you want to keep 3.5mm headphones. ABCPOW lists the 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max among its compatible models.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
First identify the port. Lightning iPhones (14 and earlier, plus SE) pair with the JSAUX Headphone Adapter, which requires iOS 10.3.1 or later and works with virtually any 3.5mm audio device. USB-C iPhones pair with USB-C earbuds like the ABCPOW set; if you hear nothing, ABCPOW suggests raising the inline volume switch or trying a different port.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
The iPhone 16 family is USB-C, so the ABCPOW Earbuds USB C plug in directly — the brand lists the 16e, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max as compatible. Keep in mind ABCPOW notes that some devices are music-only for these earbuds, so verify call support for your exact device. The Lightning-based JSAUX adapter is not the right fit for a 16.
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.
See also: Betron BS10 vs IMYB V8: Wired Headphones, Fhumsh Earbuds vs Faxoimu Earbuds, MAONO AU-A04H vs INDIVISO Neckband Earbuds, Morelax Sleep Mask vs LC-dolida Bamboo Cotton