If you want a simple way to send audio from a 3.5 mm jack to your own wireless headphones for a workout, choose Twelve South AirFly SE; if you need a complete over-ear headset with active noise cancellation, choose YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling. For most workout setups, I’d choose the AirFly only when the equipment has a headphone jack and you already own Bluetooth headphones. YUSONIC is the more self-contained choice, but its sheet does not specify workout-focused fit or water resistance.
Twelve South AirFly SE vs YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling at a Glance
• Twelve South AirFly SE’s biggest strength: It converts sound from a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack into Bluetooth audio for one pair of wireless headphones. Trade-off: It is an adapter, not a headset; you must supply compatible headphones.
• Battery contrast: AirFly SE is specified for over 20 hours and can be used while charging; YUSONIC lists 70 hours of battery life.
• Who each pick is for: Choose AirFly SE to use your own Bluetooth headphones with wired audio equipment; choose YUSONIC if you want headphones with noise cancellation built in.
AirFly SE is a small Bluetooth audio transmitter. You plug it into a 3.5 mm headphone jack, then pair it with one set of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. That makes it useful when the sound source offers a headphone socket but not the wireless connection your headphones need. Examples include gym equipment, airplane entertainment systems, hotel TVs, gaming devices, and older car stereos.
For a workout, the key question is what the machine provides. If a treadmill or other equipment has a standard headphone jack, AirFly SE can bridge that connection to your existing Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. The listed battery life is over 20 hours, and the adapter can operate while charging through USB-C. That gives it a practical role for long listening sessions, though the headphones still need their own charge. Its built-in controls let you adjust volume, and it is designed to pair with one headphone or earbud set at a time.
This is not a standalone listening device and it does not make wired equipment wireless in both directions: it sends the source’s audio to headphones. The sheet describes a compact, lightweight adapter, but it does not give a sweat-resistance rating, a microphone specification, or a workout-specific attachment system. Someone searching for the best hi res bone conduction headphones for workout should note that AirFly SE is not a pair of bone-conduction headphones; it is a transmitter for compatible Bluetooth audio gear. It may suit someone who already owns comfortable workout headphones and wants them to work with a machine’s 3.5 mm output.
Who should skip it: Skip AirFly SE if you want a complete headset, need noise cancellation built into the product, or your audio source has no 3.5 mm jack.
YUSONIC is a complete wireless over-ear headset, rather than an adapter for headphones you already own. It uses Bluetooth 6.0 and lists a 70-hour battery life. Its 40 mm dynamic drivers and stated 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range describe the audio hardware and range, while the over-ear oval earpieces establish its basic fit. The sheet also lists a 3.5 mm headphone jack, giving it a wired connection option in addition to Bluetooth.
Its noise-control setup includes hybrid active noise cancellation, passive noise cancellation, and active noise cancellation. In practical terms, those are the listed tools for reducing surrounding sound; the specification does not quantify how much noise they block. That may matter when you want a more focused listening environment on a trip or in a noisy space. The long stated battery life is also a clear distinction from the AirFly’s battery figure, although the two figures refer to different kinds of products: YUSONIC powers the headphones, while AirFly powers a transmitter.
YUSONIC is described for teens, kids, and adults, and its product title identifies it as a kids’ headset. A shopper looking for a kids headset for workout might consider the over-ear format and noise-control options, but should not assume the sheet establishes secure exercise fit, sweat protection, or safe use in every setting. It lists a 94 dB safe-volume feature in the product title, but does not explain how that limit works or whether it can be adjusted. A shopper seeking with microphone open ear earbuds for workout should also look elsewhere or confirm the microphone separately: the data provided does not specify a microphone, and these are over-ear headphones, not open-ear earbuds.
Who should skip it: Skip YUSONIC if you specifically need an audio transmitter for gym equipment’s 3.5 mm output, open-ear earbuds, or confirmed microphone and sweat-resistance details.
How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-21 · 16 min read · Independent comparison
• Best if you need a complete headset rather than an accessory → YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling. It is itself an over-ear Bluetooth headphone.
• Best for equipment with a headphone socket at the gym → Twelve South AirFly SE, provided you already have compatible wireless headphones. The adapter’s purpose is to connect that wired audio output to Bluetooth headphones.
• Best for built-in noise-control options → YUSONIC. Its listed modes include hybrid active, active, and passive noise cancellation; AirFly SE is a transmitter, not a noise-cancelling headset.
• Best stated battery life for the listening device → YUSONIC. Its sheet lists 70 hours for the headphones, while AirFly SE specifies more than 20 hours for the transmitter.
• Best if you want to keep using your current Bluetooth headphones → Twelve South AirFly SE. It is compatible with Bluetooth headphones that can enter pairing mode, rather than requiring a specific headphone brand.
• Best if you want a wired fallback built into the headset → YUSONIC. Its specifications list both Bluetooth connectivity and a 3.5 mm jack.
• Best fit when microphone details are essential → Neither based on the supplied specifications. AirFly SE is an audio transmitter, and YUSONIC’s sheet does not identify a built-in microphone.
In my opinion, I’d choose Twelve South AirFly SE for a workout only when the gym equipment has a 3.5 mm jack and I already have Bluetooth headphones I like. It solves that specific connection problem without asking me to replace my listening gear. If I wanted a complete over-ear headset with built-in noise-control modes and a long listed battery life, I’d choose YUSONIC instead. For my workout use, the deciding factor is the audio source: AirFly connects compatible wired equipment to headphones; YUSONIC is the headphones.
Before choosing, check the connection at the place you plan to listen. AirFly SE needs a 3.5 mm audio output on the source. Its Bluetooth connection then goes to one pair of headphones or earbuds. It cannot replace headphones, and its usefulness depends on having both the right jack and compatible Bluetooth listening gear.
With YUSONIC, the main consideration is whether an over-ear design and noise-control features suit your routine. The product sheet identifies Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm jack, so it offers two connection paths, but it does not describe a microphone or workout-specific construction. If calls are central to your choice, or you need headphones explicitly designed to handle sweat and movement, verify those details before deciding rather than assuming them from the product category.
Battery figures also need context. AirFly SE’s over-20-hour specification applies to its transmitter; your headphones have a separate battery. YUSONIC’s 70-hour figure applies to the headset itself. Neither number alone tells you how often you will charge an entire listening setup, especially if you pair AirFly with headphones that have their own battery requirements. AirFly’s ability to work while connected to USB-C charging is a useful option when a power source is nearby.
Finally, if noise awareness matters during exercise, consider the difference between the products carefully. YUSONIC lists noise-cancellation modes, while AirFly SE does not provide noise cancellation; it passes audio from one connection type to another. Conversely, if you need to hear audio from a treadmill’s headphone jack through wireless earbuds, the transmitter’s job is more directly relevant than a headset’s noise-control features. Choose based on the actual equipment and listening style, not on a feature that does not solve your specific connection problem.
Yes, if the equipment has a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. AirFly SE plugs into that output and sends audio over Bluetooth to one compatible pair of wireless headphones or earbuds.
It is an over-ear Bluetooth headset with listed active, hybrid, and passive noise-cancellation modes. The supplied specifications do not state that it is sweat-resistant or designed to stay secure during exercise, so those points should be checked if they matter to your workout.
YUSONIC lists 70 hours of battery life for its headphones. AirFly SE specifies more than 20 hours for the adapter and can be used while charging through USB-C; remember that your Bluetooth headphones have their own battery.
The supplied information does not specify a microphone for either product. AirFly SE is described as a Bluetooth audio transmitter, and YUSONIC’s listed features do not identify a built-in microphone, so do not assume either meets a microphone requirement.
If you want a simple way to send audio from a 3.5 mm jack to your own wireless headphones for a workout, choose Twelve South AirFly SE; if you need a complete over-ear headset with active noise cancellation, choose YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling. For most workout setups, I’d choose AirFly only when the equipment has a headphone jack and you already own Bluetooth headphones. YUSONIC is the more self-contained choice, but its specifications do not describe workout-focused fit or water resistance.
Twelve South AirFly SE vs YUSONIC Active Noise Cancelling at a Glance
• YUSONIC’s biggest strength: It is a wireless, over-ear headphone with hybrid active, active, and passive noise cancellation, plus a 3.5 mm jack. Trade-off: Its specifications do not state workout-specific fit, moisture resistance, or microphone details.
• Battery contrast: AirFly SE is specified for over 20 hours and can be used while charging; YUSONIC lists 70 hours of battery life.
• Who each pick is for: Choose AirFly SE to use your own Bluetooth headphones with wired audio equipment; choose YUSONIC if you want headphones with noise cancellation built in.
Twelve South AirFly SE: Who It's For
AirFly SE is a Bluetooth audio transmitter. Plug it into a 3.5 mm headphone jack, then pair it with one set of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. That makes it useful when the sound source has a headphone socket but does not offer the wireless connection your headphones need. Examples include gym equipment, airplane entertainment systems, hotel TVs, gaming devices, and older car stereos.
For a workout, the key question is what connection the machine provides. If a treadmill or other equipment has a standard headphone jack, AirFly SE can bridge that connection to your existing Bluetooth earbuds or headphones. The listed battery life is over 20 hours, and the adapter can operate while charging through USB-C. That gives it a practical role for long listening sessions, though your headphones still need their own charge. Built-in controls let you adjust volume, and AirFly is designed to pair with one headphone or earbud set at a time.
Who should skip it: Skip AirFly SE if you want a complete headset, need noise cancellation built into the product, or your audio source has no 3.5 mm jack.
YUSONIC is a complete wireless over-ear headset, rather than an adapter for headphones you already own. It uses Bluetooth 6.0 and lists a 70-hour battery life. Its 40 mm dynamic drivers and stated 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range describe the audio hardware and range, while the over-ear oval earpieces establish its basic fit. The specifications also list a 3.5 mm headphone jack, giving it a wired connection option in addition to Bluetooth.
Its noise-control setup includes hybrid active, active, and passive noise cancellation. Those are the listed tools for reducing surrounding sound, though the specifications do not quantify how much noise they block. The options may appeal if you want a more focused listening environment on a trip or in a noisy space. The long stated battery life is another clear distinction from AirFly’s figure, although the two numbers describe different products: YUSONIC powers the headphones, while AirFly powers a transmitter.
YUSONIC is described for teens, kids, and adults, and its product title identifies it as a kids’ headset. A shopper looking for a kids headset for workout might consider the over-ear format and noise-control options, but should not assume the specifications establish secure exercise fit, sweat protection, or safe use in every setting. The product title lists a 94 dB safe-volume feature, but does not explain how that limit works or whether it can be adjusted. A shopper seeking with microphone open ear earbuds for workout should also look elsewhere or confirm microphone details: the information provided does not specify a microphone, and these are over-ear headphones, not open-ear earbuds.
Who should skip it: Skip YUSONIC if you specifically need an audio transmitter for gym equipment’s 3.5 mm output, open-ear earbuds, or confirmed microphone and sweat-resistance details.
• Best for sending wired equipment audio to your own Bluetooth headphones → Twelve South AirFly SE. It plugs into a 3.5 mm audio jack and transmits to one pair of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
• Best for equipment with a headphone socket at the gym → Twelve South AirFly SE, provided you already have compatible wireless headphones. The adapter is made to connect that wired audio output to Bluetooth headphones.
• Best for built-in noise-control options → YUSONIC. Its listed modes include hybrid active, active, and passive noise cancellation; AirFly SE is a transmitter, not a noise-cancelling headset.
• Best stated battery life for the listening device → YUSONIC. Its specifications list 70 hours for the headphones, while AirFly SE specifies more than 20 hours for the transmitter.
• Best if you want to keep using your current Bluetooth headphones → Twelve South AirFly SE. It is compatible with Bluetooth headphones that can enter pairing mode, rather than requiring a specific headphone brand.
• Best if you want a wired fallback built into the headset → YUSONIC. Its specifications list both Bluetooth connectivity and a 3.5 mm jack.
• Best when microphone details are essential → Neither based on the supplied specifications. AirFly SE is an audio transmitter, and YUSONIC’s information does not identify a built-in microphone.
My Verdict
In my opinion, I’d choose Twelve South AirFly SE for a workout only when the gym equipment has a 3.5 mm jack and I already have Bluetooth headphones I like. It solves that specific connection problem without asking me to replace my listening gear. If I wanted a complete over-ear headset with built-in noise-control modes and a long listed battery life, I’d choose YUSONIC instead. For my workout choice, the deciding factor is the audio source: AirFly connects compatible wired equipment to headphones; YUSONIC is the headphones.
Buying Considerations
Before choosing, check the connection at the place you plan to listen. AirFly SE needs a 3.5 mm audio output on the source. Its Bluetooth connection then goes to one pair of headphones or earbuds. It cannot replace headphones, and its usefulness depends on having both the right jack and compatible Bluetooth listening gear.
With YUSONIC, consider whether an over-ear design and noise-control features suit your routine. The specifications identify Bluetooth and a 3.5 mm jack, so it offers two connection paths, but they do not describe a microphone or workout-specific construction. If calls are central to your choice, or you need headphones explicitly designed to handle sweat and movement, confirm those details before deciding rather than assuming them from the product category.
Battery figures also need context. AirFly SE’s over-20-hour specification applies to its transmitter; your headphones have a separate battery. YUSONIC’s 70-hour figure applies to the headset itself. Neither number alone tells you how often you will charge an entire listening setup, especially if you pair AirFly with headphones that have their own power needs. AirFly’s ability to work while connected to USB-C charging is a useful option when a power source is nearby.
Finally, consider how noise awareness fits into your exercise environment. YUSONIC lists noise-cancellation modes, while AirFly SE does not provide noise cancellation; it passes audio from one connection type to another. Conversely, if you want to hear audio from a treadmill’s headphone jack through wireless earbuds, the transmitter’s job is more directly relevant than a headset’s noise-control features. Choose based on the actual equipment and listening style, not on a feature that does not solve your particular connection problem.
Yes, if the equipment has a standard 3.5 mm headphone jack. AirFly SE plugs into that output and sends audio over Bluetooth to one compatible pair of wireless headphones or earbuds.
It is an over-ear Bluetooth headset with listed active, hybrid, and passive noise-cancellation modes. The supplied specifications do not say that it is sweat-resistant or designed to stay secure during exercise, so check those details if they matter to your workout.
YUSONIC lists 70 hours of battery life for its headphones. AirFly SE specifies more than 20 hours for the adapter and can be used while charging through USB-C; remember that your Bluetooth headphones have their own battery.
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