We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-02 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a two-pack of USB-C earbuds with active noise cancellation and a metal-plated connector built to survive daily abuse, choose Mutsrd 2; if you need earbuds with a 24-month warranty, a 10 mm driver and a slightly more comfortable ergonomic shell for long listening sessions, choose Houbrera USB C Headphones.
• Mutsrd 2 — biggest strength: Active Noise Cancellation plus a metal-plated connector and a reinforced cord, sold as a 2-pack with an 18-month replacement promise. The built-in DAC chip is there to keep the audio clean (no buzzing or popping) when you plug into a phone or laptop.
• Mutsrd 2 — biggest trade-off: The shell is listed as USB C material with an in-ear fit that leans toward a standard round tip — fine for most ears, but not shaped around the ear the way some rivals are.
• Houbrera USB C Headphones — biggest strength: A 10 mm dynamic driver, a 32 ohm impedance rating and a 98 dB sensitivity figure, packed into an ergonomically shaped shell marked L/R, with a 24-month warranty and lifetime support.
• Houbrera USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: Noise control is passive only, so it relies on the seal of the tip rather than electronics to block out the world.
• Who each pick is for: Mutsrd 2 suits anyone who wants active noise cancellation and two sets in one box; Houbrera suits anyone who prioritizes a comfortable, ear-shaped fit and a longer warranty window.
The Mutsrd 2 is a two-pack of white USB-C in-ear headphones. The headline spec is Active Noise Cancellation, which is unusual at this end of the wired USB-C market — most budget earbuds settle for passive isolation. On top of that you get a metal-plated connector designed to cut down on poor contact, a reinforced cord for longer durability, a one-metre length, and a built-in DAC chip. That DAC matters: it's the part that keeps digital-to-analog conversion clean, which is why the listing talks about no buzzing, popping or bad audio artifacts. The frequency range is a standard 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, and the driver is a dynamic type.
Controls live on the remote on the cord: volume up and down, previous and next track, pause, and answer/end/reject call. That last one is the practical bit — you can take a call while driving, walking, exercising or shopping without touching your phone. The fit is ergonomic in-ear, aimed at clearer calls and better music and gaming audio.
I'd point you to the Mutsrd 2 if you want noise cancellation on a wired connection, if you lose earbuds constantly and want a spare in the drawer, or if you take a lot of calls on the move. I'd skip it if your priority is a shell moulded to the shape of your ear, or if you want the longest possible warranty — Mutsrd's listing notes an 18-month worry-free replacement, and the warranty description field itself reads "NO", so treat the replacement promise as the thing to verify.
Houbrera USB C Headphones: Who It's For
The Houbrera USB C Headphones are also a two-pack of white in-ear earbuds, but the design philosophy is different. Houbrera leans on fit and comfort. The description is explicit that the shell is defined by the geometry of the ear rather than a traditional round bud shape, and the earbuds are marked L/R so you can orient them without squinting. If you've ever given up on in-ears because they ached after an hour, that's the pitch here.
The audio specs are more detailed than Mutsrd's: a 10 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance, 98 dB sensitivity, a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range and a claimed 0.1 millisecond audio latency. The description mentions a composite diaphragm tuned for a bass-and-stereo balance. Latency matters more than you'd think for gaming and video — a low figure means audio stays in step with what's on screen.
Build-wise, Houbrera uses a TPE anti-tangle wire and an aluminium alloy T-plated metal connector, with the cable reinforced to resist wear and corrosion. Controls are inline buttons on the cord with an HD microphone built in, including integrated volume controls. Noise control is passive — the seal does the work, not a chip. You also get a 24-month warranty and lifetime customer support, which is the longest coverage between these two.
The compatibility list is genuinely long: iPhone 17/16/15 series (with the useful caveat that only those three generations use USB-C, so older iPhones are out), iPad Pro 2018–2024, iPad 10th gen, iPad Mini 6th gen, iPad Air M2/5/4, MacBook Air and Pro, a wide spread of Galaxy S, Note, A and Z series, Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 family, OnePlus 6T through 12, and Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Redmi models.
Buy the Houbrera if comfort over long sessions is your main concern, if you want the longer warranty, or if you're gaming and care about latency. Skip it if you specifically want active noise cancellation rather than passive isolation.
• Best for noise cancellation → Mutsrd 2. It's the only one of the two with Active Noise Cancellation; Houbrera is passive only.
• Best for long-session comfort → Houbrera USB C Headphones. The shell is shaped around the ear's geometry and marked L/R, which is a real advantage over a generic round in-ear.
• Best for gaming and video → Houbrera USB C Headphones. The 0.1 ms latency figure and 10 mm driver are the specifics that matter when audio has to stay synced.
• Best for call handling → a tie, with a lean to Mutsrd 2. Both have inline remotes with a microphone and volume control, but Mutsrd explicitly lists reject-call alongside answer and end.
• Best for warranty confidence → Houbrera USB C Headphones. 24 months plus lifetime support beats Mutsrd's 18-month replacement promise.
• Best for a clean signal from a laptop or tablet → Mutsrd 2. The built-in DAC chip is there specifically to maintain high-resolution acoustics and avoid buzzing or popping.
• Best for Apple laptop and tablet owners → either. Both cover MacBook, MacBook Pro and the recent iPad Pro and iPad Air lines; Houbrera additionally names MacBook Air and the M2 iPad Air.
• Best for a household with two listeners → a tie. Both ship as 2-packs, so two people can each take a set.
In my opinion, the Houbrera USB C Headphones are the safer buy for most people. The ear-shaped shell, the 10 mm driver with published impedance and sensitivity figures, the 0.1 ms latency and the 24-month warranty with lifetime support add up to a more complete package for everyday listening, calls and gaming. I'd only steer you to the Mutsrd 2 if active noise cancellation is non-negotiable for you — it's the one feature Houbrera can't match, and the DAC chip plus reinforced cord are genuine plusses. Check the current price on Amazon for both before you commit, since that's the one variable that can flip this decision.
how to connect usb c wired headphones
Plug the USB-C connector directly into your device's USB-C port — there's no adapter or pairing step. Both the Mutsrd 2 and Houbrera sets are plug-and-play, so the audio routes through the earbuds as soon as they're seated. If nothing happens, the port you're using isn't carrying audio.
how to use usb c wired headphones on mac
Connect the earbuds to a USB-C port on your MacBook or MacBook Pro, then pick the headset as the output device in System Settings → Sound. Both products list MacBook and MacBook Pro in their compatibility. The inline remote handles volume and playback once the connection is recognised.
how to connect usb wired headphones to macbook
It's the same as any USB-C device: plug in and select the headphones as the audio output. Mutsrd lists MacBook and MacBook Pro; Houbrera lists MacBook Air and Pro. Neither needs drivers or software, and both include a microphone that macOS will pick up for calls.
how to connect usb wired headphones to xbox
Neither data sheet lists Xbox compatibility, so I can't promise it works. Both are USB-C wired earbuds designed for phones, tablets and computers with a USB-C audio port. If your controller or console exposes a USB-C audio path, results will vary — check your specific Xbox setup before assuming.
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