If you want a wired air-tube design with a 3.5 mm plug for swimming-related listening outside the water, choose Sonew Air Tube Earphone; if you need USB-C earbuds for compatible devices, choose AFGHOA USB C Headphones. Neither product is described as waterproof or designed for underwater use, so I would not choose either for swimming in the water.
• Sonew’s biggest strength: Its air-tube construction keeps the electronic speakers away from the ears, and its wired connection ends in a 3.5 mm plug. Trade-off: That plug may require an adapter or may not connect to newer devices directly.
• AFGHOA’s biggest strength: USB-C connectivity, wingtip earbuds, inline call and music controls, and a longer 1.5 m cable. Trade-off: It depends on a compatible USB-C audio port and does not offer Sonew’s air-tube design.
• Sonew suits listeners who want a 3.5 mm wired earpiece for calls, music, or compatible two-way radio use.
• AFGHOA suits people who want USB-C earbuds with track, volume, and call controls for compatible phones, tablets, and other devices.
Sonew is the more specialized option. Its air-tube design places the electronic speakers in the radiation-filter cover, away from the ears, while the sound travels through the tube. It has a wired 3.5 mm connection, noise-isolating ear tips, and a built-in microphone. The stated sensitivity is 113 dB, and the cable includes controls for calls and media.
That combination makes sense if you need a simple wired earpiece for a device with a 3.5 mm jack, or if you use compatible two-way radio or PTT equipment. The product information also describes use for music, video, calls, and outdoor wear in rain or snow. Those claims do not make it a swimming headphone: no underwater rating or swim-specific design is provided.
I would skip Sonew if your device uses USB-C and you do not want to rely on an adapter. Its feature set is also less suited to someone who wants the broader inline controls listed for AFGHOA, such as volume adjustment and track skipping. The air tube is the defining design choice here, not a guarantee of better sound or water protection.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-20 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
This setup is a natural fit for someone whose phone, tablet, laptop, or other audio device supports USB-C audio and who wants the controls on the cable. The listed uses include studying, office work, travel, gaming, and online courses. The 1.5 m cord may also be useful when the device is in a bag or set down nearby rather than held in hand.
I would skip AFGHOA if you specifically want an air-tube earpiece, need a 3.5 mm plug, or plan to wear headphones underwater. It is wired, not wireless, and its USB-C connection means compatibility should be checked against the particular device. The listing describes a reinforced cable and a carrying case, but neither feature establishes that the earbuds are waterproof or intended for swimming.
• For a 3.5 mm audio jack → Sonew Air Tube Earphone. Its stated connection is a standard 3.5 mm plug; an adapter may be needed for some devices.
• For a USB-C audio port → AFGHOA USB C Headphones. Choose it when the connected device supports USB-C audio.
• For an air-tube design that keeps the electronic speakers away from the ears → Sonew Air Tube Earphone. That construction is its main distinction.
• For inline volume and track controls → AFGHOA USB C Headphones. Its button controls include volume adjustment and previous or next track.
• For compatible two-way radio or PTT equipment → Sonew Air Tube Earphone. The product information specifically identifies that use.
• For a longer stated cable → AFGHOA USB C Headphones. Its cable is listed as 1.5 m.
• For swimming underwater → neither. Neither product’s details establish waterproofing or suitability for underwater use.
• For outdoor use around rain or snow → Sonew, with limits. Its listing describes outdoor protection from rain or snow, but that is not the same as a swimming or submersion rating.
The practical difference is less about one earbud being universally superior and more about connection and design. Sonew is the unusual pick: air tube, 3.5 mm plug, and PTT compatibility. AFGHOA is the more feature-rich wired choice for people with USB-C audio and a use for its inline controls.
The same caution applies if you are searching for a headphone for swimming. A product described as suitable for rain or snow is not automatically safe for swimming. For use in the water, look for a clear underwater-use rating and design details that specifically support that activity. Neither product’s information provides those assurances.
For ordinary listening, AFGHOA has a more extensive set of stated playback controls. Sonew instead offers an air-tube arrangement and compatibility with 3.5 mm audio equipment, including two-way radios. The right choice follows the device you plan to connect and the design you actually want—not an assumption that one connection type or construction works for every listener.
If you are seeking the best memory foam ear cushions earbuds for swimming, neither listing specifies memory foam. AFGHOA’s supplied eartip and wingtip set gives you fit components to work with, while Sonew includes two pairs of spare earbuds. But spare tips and wingtips are not evidence of memory foam, and a snug fit does not establish underwater protection.
My Verdict
I would choose AFGHOA if my main need were everyday wired listening through a compatible USB-C port, especially for its inline volume and track controls.
For a 3.5 mm device, air-tube design, or compatible PTT use, Sonew is the clearer fit.
For swimming, my recommendation is neither: the available details do not identify either as suitable for underwater use.
I would not treat Sonew’s outdoor rain-or-snow description as a swimming specification.
FAQ
They connect through USB-C and are described for compatible USB-C audio devices. Check that your particular phone supports audio through its USB-C port; the plug alone does not guarantee compatibility with every device.
Sonew’s description highlights an ergonomic ABS design intended for extended wear and includes spare earbuds. AFGHOA includes eartips and wingtips. The information does not establish how either will fit an individual listener, so comfort will depend on personal fit.
Neither product sheet specifies memory foam cushions or a clip-on design. AFGHOA includes eartips and wingtips, while Sonew includes spare earbuds; those are different features and should not be mistaken for memory foam or clip-on support.
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