How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-06 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
• Uliptz Headphones Over Ear — biggest strength: a genuine pair of Bluetooth over-ear headphones with 65 hours of playtime, Bluetooth 6.0, 6 EQ modes and 40mm drivers — plus a 3.5mm cable for wired listening.
• Uliptz Headphones Over Ear — biggest trade-off: the built-in mic only works in wireless mode, and the 247.99 ms audio latency figure means it's a listening headphone, not a low-latency gaming headset.
• HAWSON A2179 — biggest strength: it's a specific internal replacement part for the MacBook Air Retina 13" A2179 (2020) audio board, tested before shipping per the manufacturer.
• HAWSON A2179 — biggest trade-off: it is not a headphone at all. It's a repair component, and HAWSON's own listing says it's not an easy job for anyone without laptop disassembly skills.
• Who each pick is for: Uliptz for anyone who wants sound out of a phone, laptop or tablet right now; HAWSON A2179 for a repair tech or confident DIYer fixing a dead 3.5mm jack on one exact MacBook model.
The Uliptz WH203A is a straightforward wireless over-ear headphone, and the spec sheet tells you most of what you need to know. You get 40mm dynamic drivers, a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range, 32 ohm impedance and 122 dB sensitivity. In plain terms, that's an easy-to-drive headphone that gets loud without needing a headphone amp. Six EQ modes let you shift between balanced, deep bass and crisp treble presets, which is more tonal control than most headphones in this category bother to offer.
Where it really separates itself is battery and connectivity. Uliptz rates it at up to 65 hours per charge with a 2.5-hour charge time, and even a 10-minute top-up is claimed to give 4 hours of playback. Bluetooth 6.0 with a 10-meter range and dual-device pairing means you can stay connected to a phone and a laptop at once and hop between a playlist and a call. That's the exact scenario I'd point to for a MacBook user: pair it to the MacBook and your phone simultaneously, and you're not re-pairing every time a call comes in.
Buy it if you want one inexpensive-feeling, lightweight, long-battery headphone for the gym, the commute, online classes and desk work — and you like the idea of a wired fallback via the included 3.5mm cable. Skip it if you need active noise cancellation, a wired microphone, or ultra-low latency for gaming.
HAWSON A2179: Who It's For
The HAWSON A2179 is a different animal entirely. It's an audio board with a headphone jack connector and flex cable, sold as a replacement part for the MacBook Air Retina 13" A2179 from 2020. If your MacBook Air's 3.5mm jack has stopped working — no output, crackling, or a jack that's physically damaged — this is the internal component that addresses that specific failure.
HAWSON states each board is tested before shipping and confirmed working, which is the main reassurance you get with a part like this. The listing is also refreshingly blunt about the difficulty: it says this is not an easy job for someone without technical skills in disassembling and assembling laptops, and asks that you only buy it if you know how to install it. I'd take that warning seriously. Replacing an audio board means opening the machine, working around the battery and disconnecting delicate flex cables.
There's also a compatibility trap worth flagging. It fits the A2179 2020 MacBook Air and nothing else — not the M1 Air, not a Pro, not a 2019 model. HAWSON explicitly asks buyers to check their computer's year against the description and photos before ordering. Get that wrong and you've bought a part that will never fit.
Buy it if you're repairing an A2179 MacBook Air and you're comfortable with the teardown. Skip it if you're shopping for something to actually listen through, or if your machine is any other model.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for actually listening to music → Uliptz Headphones Over Ear. The HAWSON part produces no sound on its own.
• Best for MacBook users who want wireless audio → Uliptz. Bluetooth 6.0, dual-device pairing and a 3.5mm cable cover both wireless and wired MacBook setups.
• Best for a broken MacBook Air headphone jack → HAWSON A2179 — but only on the 2020 A2179 model.
• Best for exercise → Uliptz. At 180 g with memory foam cushions and a foldable frame, it's the only one of the two designed to be worn.
• Best for tonal control → Uliptz, thanks to 6 EQ modes.
• Best for low-latency gaming → neither, honestly. Uliptz lists 247.99 ms latency, and the HAWSON part isn't audio output at all.
• Best for a no-tools purchase → Uliptz. The HAWSON part assumes you already own the skills and tools.
I'd buy the Uliptz Headphones Over Ear. It's the only one of these two that does what a shopper searching "headphones" actually wants: sound, comfort, a long-lasting battery and wireless freedom for the gym, the commute and MacBook work sessions. The HAWSON A2179 isn't a competitor — it's a repair part, and it only makes sense if you own a 2020 MacBook Air A2179 with a dead jack and you're confident opening the machine. In my opinion, if you want headphones for exercise and everyday listening, Uliptz is the clear pick; if you want to fix a jack, HAWSON is the right tool. Check the current price on Amazon before you decide, since that's the one thing that could still sway you.
how to use headphones for macbook
For the Uliptz, turn the headphones on and put them in pairing mode, then open your MacBook's Bluetooth settings and select them — Bluetooth 6.0 handles the connection and remembers the device for next time. If you'd rather go wired, plug the included 3.5mm audio cable into the MacBook's headphone jack. Note the built-in mic only works over Bluetooth, not in wired mode.
how to connect headphones macbook
Pairing is the same process on any MacBook: enable Bluetooth on the laptop, power on the Uliptz headphones, and pick them from the list of available devices. Uliptz also supports pairing with two devices at once, so you can keep your MacBook and your phone connected and switch between them without re-pairing each time.
how to connect headphones macbook air
It works identically on a MacBook Air: Bluetooth on, headphones on and paired, then select them in the sound output menu. There's an important caveat here — if your Air is the 2020 A2179 model and its 3.5mm jack has failed, the HAWSON A2179 audio board is the replacement part for that jack, and it's compatible only with that specific year and model.
how to use headphones macbook pro
The Uliptz pairs with any Bluetooth-enabled MacBook Pro the same way, and the included 3.5mm cable gives you a wired option for machines that still have a headphone jack. Just remember the HAWSON A2179 part does not fit MacBook Pro models at all — it's listed for the MacBook Air Retina 13" A2179 (2020) only.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.
See also: Denon AH-C830NCW vs Sony WF-C710N: Ambient Sound Mode, SIMOLIO Long Cord Headphones vs Rydohi Headphones Over Ear, Gneinour USB Extension Charging vs TENNMAK 12X, AOSHIDA Topping DX3pro+ vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV