How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-20 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• Kanayu 100 — biggest strength: a 100-pair bulk pack (50 black, 50 white), each pair individually bagged, so you can equip a whole class, library or event without repacking anything yourself.
• Kanayu 100 — biggest trade-off: no microphone and no in-line controls, so it is a listening-only earbud.
• APETOO 3.5mm — biggest strength: an in-line remote with a built-in HD microphone, volume and playback buttons, a half-in-ear fit with silicone tips, and a storage case.
• APETOO 3.5mm — biggest trade-off: it is a single pair, so it makes no sense if you need to supply many people at once.
• Who each is for: Kanayu 100 for teachers, librarians, testing coordinators and anyone buying in volume; APETOO 3.5mm for one person who wants calls and controls in a daily-use earbud.
Kanayu 100 is not really a "pick your favorite earbud" product — it is a supply product. You get 100 pairs of wired in-ear earbuds in black and white, 50 of each color, and every pair arrives individually bagged. That last detail matters more than it sounds. If you have ever opened a box of loose earbuds and spent an afternoon untangling them into ziplock bags, you already know why. Individually bagged means each student or borrower gets a sealed pair, and you can hand them out, label them or store them without extra work.
The design is deliberately plain, and that is the point. The shells are ABS, the cable is PVC and measures about 90 cm, which is a sensible length for a student sitting at a desk with a laptop or Chromebook. The dynamic drivers cover a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range — the standard full-range spec you would expect at this tier — and the rounded in-ear tips are described as fitting without being too tight or too loose. The 3.5mm jack keeps it compatible with most phones, computers and laptops that still have a headphone port. The brand also notes the earbuds can block outside noise to some degree, which helps in a busy classroom or library.
The trade-off is real: there is no microphone and no control buttons. These are listen-only earbuds. If a student needs to join a video call, record audio or answer a phone call through them, they cannot. There is also no mention of spare ear tips or a case, so plan on storing them yourself.
APETOO 3.5mm: Who It's For
APETOO 3.5mm is the opposite kind of product: one pair, built for one person, with the extras that make daily use easier. The most useful feature is the in-line remote — a small button pod on the cable with a built-in HD microphone plus volume and playback controls. That means you can take a call, pause a track or change the volume without pulling your phone out of your pocket. Note that APETOO places the microphone on the right side, so keep that in mind when you clip or route the cable.
The fit is a half-in-ear, ergonomic shape with silicone ear tips, and the brand describes the goal clearly: it does not seal off all outside noise, so you stay aware of your surroundings. That is a genuinely useful trait when you are walking, cycling through a commute or working in a shared space and still need to hear what is happening around you. The spec sheet lists sound isolation as the noise-control approach and 32 ohm impedance, with the same 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz dynamic driver range as the Kanayu.
Build details are thoughtful for a budget wired earbud. The cable uses anti-wrap oxygen-free copper inside, which is meant to survive being pulled through a backpack or jacket, and the 3.5mm plug is made of anti-oxidant metal for better contact than a plain plug. It comes with a mini storage case and two extra silicone ear tips, so you can swap sizes and keep the earbuds protected between uses. At 25 g, it is light enough to forget you packed it. Compatibility is broad — iPhone, Samsung, Android, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, laptops, desktops, tablets, MP3/MP4 players and gaming consoles, as long as the device has a 3.5mm stereo jack.
The trade-off: it is one pair only, and it is not a sealed, noise-blocking design, so it will not isolate you from a loud room the way deeper in-ear buds might.
Buy APETOO 3.5mm if you want a single pair of wired earbuds with a microphone, in-line controls, a spare-tip kit and a case for commuting, school, gaming or desk work. Skip it if you need to equip a group, or if your main goal is maximum noise blocking.
• Best for classrooms and bulk handouts → Kanayu 100. 100 individually bagged pairs in two colors, ready to distribute.
• Best for phone calls and video meetings → APETOO 3.5mm. It has an in-line HD microphone; the Kanayu has none.
• Best for controlling music without touching your phone → APETOO 3.5mm. Volume and playback buttons are built into the cable.
• Best for battery-free, no-setup listening → both. Neither has a battery or needs pairing, but Kanayu wins on sheer numbers.
• Best for everyday carry and storage → APETOO 3.5mm. It ships with a storage case and two extra silicone ear tips; the Kanayu does not include either.
• Best for staying aware of your surroundings → APETOO 3.5mm. Its half-in-ear design deliberately does not seal out outside noise.
• Best for cable length in a desk setting → Kanayu 100. About 90 cm gives students room to shift at a laptop or library table.
• Best for one person on a budget → APETOO 3.5mm. Buying a 100-pack for yourself makes no practical sense.
In my opinion, the right answer depends entirely on whether you are buying for one person or for many. For a school, library, testing room or event, I would buy the Kanayu 100 — the individually bagged 100-pack in two colors is exactly what that job needs, and you are not paying for features your students will not use. For yourself, I would buy the APETOO 3.5mm: the microphone, in-line volume and playback buttons, spare ear tips and storage case make it the more complete everyday earbud, and the half-in-ear fit keeps you aware of traffic and surroundings. If you are torn, ask one question: am I equipping a room, or equipping myself?
Both fit school use, but they solve different problems. Kanayu 100 is the classroom stock option — 100 individually bagged pairs you can hand out and replace as needed. APETOO 3.5mm is the better choice for a single student who needs a microphone for online classes or calls.
No. Kanayu states plainly that the headphones do not have a built-in microphone, and there are no in-line controls. They are for listening only. If you need to talk, record or take calls, APETOO 3.5mm is the one with the built-in HD microphone.
APETOO lists compatibility with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, MacBook, iPhone, Samsung, Android phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, gaming consoles, iPod and MP3/MP4 players — as long as the device has a 3.5mm stereo jack. Devices with no headphone port would need their own adapter, which is not included.
Neither is a heavy noise blocker, and that is by design on the APETOO side: it uses a half-in-ear shape and sound isolation that deliberately lets you stay aware of your surroundings. Kanayu says its earbuds can block external noise to some extent. If you want real isolation, look for a fully sealing in-ear design instead.
I do not quote prices here because they change often. Use the "Check latest price on Amazon" button on this page to see the current price for each before you decide.
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.