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If you want to keep using the wired headphones you already own with a Lightning iPhone, choose UGREEN Headphone Adapter; if you need a complete set of USB-C in-ear headphones with a built-in mic for newer iPhone 15/16/17 models and USB-C Android devices, choose APETOO USB C Headphones. One is a tiny bridge between old gear and a new port. The other is the whole listening package, port and all. The right answer really does come down to what's already sitting in your drawer.
• UGREEN Headphone Adapter — biggest strength: Apple MFi certification plus support for up to 48 kHz / 24-bit audio output and in-line control, so your existing 3.5mm headphones just work on Lightning iPhones and iPads.
• UGREEN Headphone Adapter — biggest trade-off: It's a Lightning adapter only, so it won't fit iPhone 15/16/17 or any USB-C iPad, and it's useless without a pair of 3.5mm headphones to plug into it.
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest strength: A complete USB-C in-ear headset with a digital DAC chip, a built-in microphone, remote volume control, silicone tips for noise isolation, and a carrying case with spare ear tips.
• APETOO USB C Headphones — biggest trade-off: It's a USB-C product, so it won't work with older Lightning iPhones at all, and the cable is a fixed 4FT TPE wire you can't swap out.
• Who each pick is for: UGREEN for anyone with a Lightning iPhone and a favourite pair of 3.5mm headphones; APETOO for anyone on a USB-C device who wants an all-in-one wired headset for calls, music and workouts.
The UGREEN adapter is a very specific tool, and it does that one job well. It's an Apple MFi certified Lightning to 3.5mm dongle, which means it meets Apple's requirements for a secure, reliable connection to Lightning devices — no error pop-ups, no fiddling with settings. Plug it in and it works. The internal hardware supports up to 48 kHz, 24-bit audio output with noise reduction technology, so you're not sacrificing much of anything in sound terms. It also passes through in-line control, so the volume and mic buttons on your existing headset keep working.
Build quality is where this one earns its keep. The housing is a metallic grey aluminum alloy shell with a nylon-braided cable, and internally it uses enameled copper with a PVC jacket for stable signal transmission. It's rated for a 15,000+ bending lifespan, which matters because this is exactly the kind of cable that lives in a pocket, gets bent at the connector, and dies young. At 21 g and roughly 3.94 inches long, it disappears into a bag. Buy it if you own a Lightning iPhone and refuse to give up your wired headphones — especially good ones. Skip it if your phone is iPhone 15 or newer, or if you don't own any 3.5mm headphones.
APETOO USB C Headphones: Who It's For
APETOO's offering is a different category of product entirely. This is a finished pair of wired USB-C in-ear headphones in rose-pink, with an oval earpiece shape, copper enclosure material and a dynamic driver covering a 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz frequency range at 32 ohm impedance. Inside the connector sits a digital DAC chip that converts the signal before it reaches the drivers — APETOO's stated reason for the HiFi stereo sound and broad device compatibility. Rather than an analog pass-through, this is a digital handshake, which is why one pair can work across so many different USB-C devices.
The fit list is genuinely long. iPhone 15, 16 and 17 families including Pro and Pro Max; iPad 10th gen, iPad Pro M4, iPad Air M2/M3, iPad mini 6th gen and A17 Pro; the Samsung Galaxy S20 through S26 lines plus Note and Z Flip/Fold models and Galaxy tablets; Google Pixel 2 through 10; OnePlus, Huawei and MacBook Air/Pro. Basically, anything with USB-C and no headphone jack. Just be aware of the practical setup detail APETOO notes — on Mac you may need to go into Settings → Sound → Output and select "USB" before the earbuds are recognised.
The package is generous for what it is: the earphones, a mini storage case, and extra small and large ear tips on top of the medium ones fitted. The soft silicone tips serve double duty — comfort for long wear, and passive noise isolation that cuts down ambient sound so you're not fighting the room. There's a multifunction remote with button volume control and a built-in mic for calls, and the 4FT TPE cable is a sensible length for desk work, commuting or the gym. Buy it if you're on a USB-C phone and want one wired headset that handles calls, podcasts and music without hunting for a dongle. Skip it if you're still on a Lightning iPhone, or if you want to keep using your own existing headphones.
• Best for iPhone 14 and older (Lightning port) → UGREEN Headphone Adapter. APETOO's USB-C plug simply won't fit.
• Best for iPhone 15, 16 or 17 → APETOO USB C Headphones. These are the USB-C iPhones, and UGREEN's dongle is Lightning-only.
• Best for using headphones you already own → UGREEN Headphone Adapter. It turns any 3.5mm pair into a Lightning-compatible headset, in-line controls included.
• Best for a complete out-of-the-box setup → APETOO USB C Headphones. Earphones, mic, remote, case and spare tips arrive together — nothing else to buy.
• Best for calls and remote control → APETOO USB C Headphones. Built-in mic plus button volume control on a 4FT cable; UGREEN only passes through controls from your own headset.
• Best for cross-device flexibility → APETOO USB C Headphones. The digital DAC design works across iPhone, Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, iPad and MacBook; UGREEN is locked to Lightning.
• Best for minimal carry → UGREEN Headphone Adapter. At 21 g and under 4 inches, it's the smaller thing to lose in a bag.
• Best for long listening sessions → APETOO USB C Headphones. Multiple ear-tip sizes and soft silicone isolation are designed for extended wear; an adapter adds nothing to comfort.
In my opinion, the deciding factor here isn't sound or build quality — it's the port on your phone. If you're on a Lightning iPhone, the UGREEN Headphone Adapter is the smarter buy because it rescues headphones you already love and adds real durability in the aluminum shell and braided cable. If you're on iPhone 15, 16 or 17, or you bounce between USB-C devices, I'd go with APETOO USB C Headphones — a complete headset with a mic, remote, case and spare tips is simply more useful than a dongle with nothing plugged into it. Match the connector first, then everything else falls into place. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit to either.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
If your iPhone has a Lightning port, you can't plug 3.5mm headphones in directly — you need an adapter like the UGREEN Headphone Adapter, which converts Lightning to a 3.5mm jack. Plug the adapter into the phone, plug your headphones into the adapter, and it works with no settings changes, including in-line controls.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 15
The iPhone 15 uses USB-C, so a Lightning adapter won't fit. You either need a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter for your existing headphones, or a set of native USB-C earphones like APETOO USB C Headphones that plug straight in. The APETOO pair also carries its own mic and volume remote.
how to use wired headphones for iphone 16
Same situation as the iPhone 15 — USB-C, not Lightning. APETOO USB C Headphones are listed as compatible with iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, and connect via the USB-C port with no adapter needed. If you'd rather keep your own headphones, you'll need a USB-C to 3.5mm converter instead.
how to use wired headphones for iphone
It depends entirely on which port your iPhone has. Lightning models (iPhone 14 and earlier) work with the UGREEN Headphone Adapter; USB-C models (iPhone 15 and later) work with APETOO USB C Headphones or a USB-C audio adapter. Check your charging port before buying — it's the one spec that decides everything here.
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