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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-28 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
• kurdene Earbuds biggest strength: true wireless freedom with Bluetooth 5.3, 8mm/10mm dynamic drivers tuned for deep bass, and a charging case rated for up to 30 hours of extra playtime.
• kurdene Earbuds biggest trade-off: earbuds themselves run about 4.5 hours per charge, and nothing works without battery — no cable fallback, no wired option at all.
• ABCPOW USB C biggest strength: a true plug-in connection. USB-C termination, an integrated DAC chip, a 14.2mm dynamic driver, and zero charging to worry about, ever.
• ABCPOW USB C biggest trade-off: it only works on phones and devices with a USB-C port and no 3.5mm jack, and some devices (MacBook, iPad Pro, certain Samsung models) support music playback only — no call function.
• Who kurdene is for: anyone who wants wireless convenience for workouts, gym sessions and all-day carry.
• Who ABCPOW is for: anyone with a USB-C phone who wants a dead-simple wired headset with a mic and no battery anxiety.
The kurdene Earbuds are a true wireless in-ear set built around convenience and bass. Each earbud weighs just 3.8 grams, and the housing is designed to sit flush in the ear rather than protrude — a shape the brand says was tested on over 1,000 people for a secure fit. You get three sizes of silicone ear tips, so you can dial in the seal. That seal matters, because the noise control here is passive sound isolation, not active noise cancellation. A good tip fit is what blocks outside noise.
On the audio side, kurdene lists oversized 8mm drivers (the spec sheet also lists a 10mm driver size), a 16-ohm impedance, 40dB sensitivity, and a 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range, with boosted bass as the headline tuning. Bluetooth 5.3 handles the connection, with a rated range of about 10 meters and auto-pairing when you open the charging case lid. The earbuds are listed as compatible with both iOS and Android. For calls, there are built-in mics paired with an AI algorithm aimed at clearer voice pickup. Controls are touch-based on the earbud itself — including a function that lets you balance how much of your own voice you hear while talking.
Buy the kurdene Earbuds if you want wireless freedom, a featherweight fit for the gym or running, and bass-forward sound with a case that keeps you going for days between top-ups. Skip them if you hate managing battery at all, want a cable you never have to think about, or need wired reliability with no charging step.
ABCPOW USB C: Who It's For
The ABCPOW USB C is a wired in-ear headset that ends in a USB-C plug instead of a 3.5mm jack. That single design choice defines everything about it. If your phone has a USB-C port and no headphone jack — think iPhone 15, 16 and 17 series, and many modern Samsung and other USB-C devices — this is the type of headset that just plugs in and plays. No pairing. No charging. No case to lose.
Inside, ABCPOW uses an integrated DAC chip and a 14.2mm dynamic driver, with the same 20Hz–20,000Hz frequency range you'd expect at this tier. The earbuds are white, made with silicone enclosures, and the brand includes three pairs of ear tips in small, medium and large. Noise control is passive sound isolation. Controls are push-button rather than touch, and ABCPOW specifically notes the wire control sits on the right earbud. There's a built-in microphone for calls, and the package includes a 12-month manufacturer warranty plus a customer service line.
The catch is compatibility, and ABCPOW is unusually upfront about it. This is a USB-C headphone, full stop — a phone with a 3.5mm jack won't produce sound through it. Your phone case must not cover the USB-C port, or the plug won't seat. The USB-C end has to be pushed in fully with no gap left. And on some devices — MacBook, iPad Pro, and certain Samsung models like the S8, S9 and Note 5 — you get music playback only, with no call functionality. If you hear nothing, the brand suggests sliding the volume switch up or trying a different port.
Buy the ABCPOW USB C if you have a USB-C phone with no headphone jack and want a no-battery, no-pairing headset with a mic for calls and music. Skip it if your phone still has a 3.5mm jack, if you rely on call audio on a laptop or tablet that only supports playback, or if a bulky case blocks your charging port.
• Best for wireless freedom → kurdene Earbuds. Bluetooth 5.3, auto-pairing, 10m range, no cable to snag on anything.
• Best for zero-maintenance reliability → ABCPOW USB C. Plug in and it works; there's no battery to drain or charge.
• Best for workouts and running → kurdene Earbuds. 3.8g per bud, ergonomic flush fit, three tip sizes, no wire flopping around.
• Best for long listening sessions without charging → ABCPOW USB C. Wired means unlimited playtime as long as your phone has power.
• Best for bass-forward casual listening → kurdene Earbuds. Boosted-bass tuning on 8mm drivers with a 16-ohm load.
• Best for plug-and-play on a USB-C phone → ABCPOW USB C. Integrated DAC chip and a 14.2mm driver, ready the second it's inserted.
• Best for call clarity on the go → kurdene Earbuds. Mics plus an AI algorithm, with a voice-balance function.
• Best for buyers who hate charging cases → ABCPOW USB C. Nothing to remember, nothing to top up.
If I had to pick one, I'd buy the kurdene Earbuds — but only if you want wireless. The combination of Bluetooth 5.3, a 3.8g featherweight fit, bass-tuned drivers and a case rated for up to 30 hours of total playtime is a genuinely convenient package for workouts and daily carry, and I think most people shopping this category want exactly that. That said, if you have a USB-C phone with no headphone jack and you want something that simply works the moment you plug it in, the ABCPOW USB C is the smarter buy — no pairing, no charging, no fuss. In my opinion, the wired set wins on simplicity; the wireless set wins on freedom.
how to wired headphones work
A wired headphone carries the audio signal from your device down the cable to the drivers in each earbud, so there's no wireless link and no battery involved. The ABCPOW USB C does this over a USB-C connection, using an integrated DAC chip to convert the digital signal into sound. Because it's a direct connection, it plays as soon as it's fully inserted.
how to use wired headphones with iphone
On iPhones with a USB-C port — the 15, 16 and 17 families — you plug a USB-C headset like the ABCPOW USB C straight into the charging port. There's no adapter needed, but the plug must be fully seated with no gap, and your case must not block the port. Note that on some devices, including MacBook and iPad Pro, ABCPOW states music playback works but call functionality does not.
how to fix wired headphones no sound
ABCPOW's own guidance covers the common causes: make sure your phone actually has a USB-C port and no 3.5mm jack, check the plug is pushed in all the way, and confirm your case isn't covering the port. If there's still no sound, slide the volume switch up on the wire control or try a different port. Trying another device is the fastest way to tell whether the headset or the phone is the problem.
how to wired headphones
Using wired headphones is about as simple as audio gets — insert the connector, set your volume, and the earbuds play through the cable. On the ABCPOW USB C, the controls are push-button and sit on the right earbud, with passive sound isolation from the silicone tips handling outside noise. There's nothing to pair and nothing to charge, which is the whole appeal.
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