We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-25 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a bulk set of plug-and-play wired earbuds that work across just about any 3.5mm device in a classroom, gym or library, choose Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10; if you need two Lightning-connector earbuds with a built-in mic and remote for modern iPhones, choose CREHAO 2.
• Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 — biggest strength: ten individually packaged earbuds in ten different colors with standard 3.5mm right-angle plugs that fit phones, tablets, laptops, Chromebooks and fitness equipment.
• Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 — biggest trade-off: no microphone, no remote and no volume control on the cable, so calls and track skipping are off the table.
• CREHAO 2 — biggest strength: a built-in microphone and a multifunction button on the cord, plus a Lightning connector built for iPhone 14/13/12/11/XR/8/7 and other Lightning devices.
• CREHAO 2 — biggest trade-off: only two earbuds in the pack and no 3.5mm plug, so anything with a round headphone jack is out of luck.
• Who each pick is for: Maeline for schools, offices, libraries, gyms or families who need a stack of cheap-to-replace wired earbuds; CREHAO for iPhone owners who want a spare set for calls and music.
The Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 is a quantity play. You get ten earbuds, each in its own package, in ten colors — pink, orange, yellow, red, white, grey, purple, black, blue and green. That color spread is the quiet genius of the set. In a classroom or a shared lab, "the purple ones are mine" solves about half the arguments before they start. Each pair is individually wrapped too, which matters if you're handing them out one at a time or storing spares in a drawer.
The design is deliberately stripped down. There's no microphone, no remote and no volume control — just a cable, a driver and a 3.5mm right-angle plug. The specs list a dynamic driver with a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz frequency range, a rounded in-ear tip shape, and an L-shaped plug that resists accidental pull-out. That L-shape is a small detail that pays off in real life: when someone walks off with a laptop still on the desk, a right-angle plug tends to bend rather than snap. The build is lightweight, the tips are soft silicone, and Maeline positions the fit as secure enough for active use — travel, gym, museum tours.
So who should buy it? Anyone buying earbuds by the handful, not by the pair. Teachers equipping a class, librarians stocking an audio station, gyms or fitness rooms, tour operators, or a parent who is tired of replacing one lost pair every month. The multicolor, all-ages framing also makes it a natural fit for kids and teens.
Who should skip it? iPhone owners on Lightning, first of all — the 3.5mm plug won't connect without an adapter. And anyone who takes calls or wants to control playback from the cable. With no mic and no remote, these are listening-only earbuds. If that's a deal-breaker, this isn't your set. If you mainly need sound in a lot of ears for as little fuss as possible, it very much is.
The CREHAO 2 goes the opposite direction: two earbuds, both white, both built around a Lightning connector and a phone-first feature set. The compatibility list is the headline — iPhone 14, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 13 Mini, 12 Mini, 12 Pro Max, SE, 11 Pro Max, 11 Pro, XS Max, X, XR, 8, 8 Plus, 7 Plus and 7, across all iOS versions. If your phone has a Lightning port, these are designed to plug straight in. No dongle, no adapter, no hunting through a drawer.
The feature that separates it from the Maeline set is the inline controller. There's a built-in microphone and a single multifunction button for answering and ending calls, playing and pausing, and jumping between tracks — all without pulling the phone out of your pocket. For commuters, delivery drivers, or anyone who takes calls on the move, that's the whole ballgame. The spec sheet also lists adaptive noise cancellation and an 80-ohm impedance rating, and CREHAO describes the drivers as tuned to maximize output and minimize sound loss for a bass-forward, "natural clear" sound. The brand backs it with an 18-month warranty.
Who should buy it? iPhone users who want a wired backup for calls and music, people who prefer a cable over charging a wireless case, and anyone who wants a second pair to keep in a bag or at a desk. Two packs suit a couple, or one person who loses things.
Who should skip it? Android owners, laptop users, and anyone with a 3.5mm jack — the Lightning plug simply won't fit. And if you need earbuds for a group of ten, two won't cut it.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for iPhone users → CREHAO 2. Lightning connector, built for iPhone 14/13/12/11/XR/8/7 and other Lightning devices.
• Best for hands-free calls → CREHAO 2. Built-in microphone and a multifunction button for calls and playback.
• Best for mixed devices → Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10. The 3.5mm plug works with phones, tablets, Chromebooks, laptops, PCs, MP3 players, CD players and fitness equipment.
• Best for classrooms, libraries and shared spaces → Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10. Ten colors make ownership obvious, and the L-shaped plug resists pull-out.
• Best for people who hate adapters → CREHAO 2. No dongle needed on a Lightning iPhone.
• Best for a spare set → CREHAO 2. Two earbuds, one for home and one for the bag.
• Best for a listening-only setup → Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10. No mic or controls to fuss with, just sound.
In my opinion, the right pick comes down to one question: are you buying for one phone, or for a room full of people? If you're an iPhone user who wants a wired pair for calls and music without an adapter, I'd take the CREHAO 2 — the mic and inline button are the difference between a usable pair and a frustrating one, and the 18-month warranty is a nice cushion. But if you need earbuds for a class, a library, a gym, or a family that keeps losing them, I'd take the Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 without hesitation. Ten pairs, ten colors, one standard plug. For that job, it's the smarter buy.
how to wired headphones work
A wired headphone set sends an analog audio signal from your device down the cable to a driver inside each earbud, which converts that signal into sound. Because the connection is physical, there's no battery, no pairing and no lag — you plug in and listen. The Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 use a 3.5mm plug, while the CREHAO 2 uses a Lightning connector, so each one only works with devices that match its plug.
how to wired headphones
Using them is about as simple as audio gets. Plug the connector into the matching port, put the earbuds in your ears, and start playback on your phone, tablet, laptop or player. The CREHAO 2 adds a multifunction button for play/pause, track skipping and calls; the Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 has no controls, so you handle everything from the device itself.
how to use wired headphones with iphone
On a Lightning iPhone — 14, 13, 12, 11, XR, 8, 7 and similar — the CREHAO 2 plugs directly into the charging port with no adapter. The Maeline Bulk Earbuds 10 uses a 3.5mm plug, so it needs a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter to work with those phones. Check which port your iPhone has before you buy.
how to fix wired headphones no sound
Start with the basics: make sure the plug is fully seated, try a different device, and check that the volume isn't muted. If one earbud works and the other doesn't, the cable or driver is usually the culprit rather than the device. With no moving parts and no battery, a wired set is generally simple to troubleshoot — and if a pair does fail, having spares on hand, like the ten in the Maeline set or the two in the CREHAO pack, is the easiest fix of all.
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See also: Yunsailing 30 vs Maeline Bulk Headphones On-Ear, iMangoo Earbuds Headphones 3.5mm vs Maeline 10, LC-dolida Sleep Headphones vs Poounur Earbuds