Mobile devices are ditching headphone jacks at a brisk clip, so if your new Android smartphone or Apple iPad Pro ships without that precious port, you may have to purchase a wireless headset to listen in on podcasts, music, or video. Or maybe not. You can still use your device’s USB Type C port with your favorite headphones — if you get your hands on a USB Type C headphone adapter. Just plug it into the charging port, and then plug your headphones into the 3.5mm audio jack on the other side of the adapter. It’s that easy, and we have hunted down some of the best USB-C headphone adapters out there to help you do exactly that.
CableCreation USB-C Adapter
One of the main annoyances of some USB-C headphone adapters is that you can’t charge your phone while you’re listening to music — and there’s nothing worse than running out of juice in the middle of your favorite track. With this adapter from CableCreation, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack on one end and a USB-C port on the other, so you can charge your device while you’re listening or on a call. This adapter supports a maximum 60W input and works with a wide range of devices. Its compact size makes it easy to slip in your pocket or bag for traveling, too. It’s worth noting that you can’t make phone calls using this device with the Samsung Galaxy S8, Note 9, or iPad Pro.
Anker USB-C Hub
This adapter is actually a USB hub — great for the iPad Pro. With this 6-in-1 hub, you not only get a 3.5mm headphone jack, but you also get a USB-C port and USB-A port, an SD/MicroSD card reader, and an HDMI port that lets you connect your iPad to a TV or display and stream in up to 4K at 60Hz resolution. If you use your iPad as a laptop replacement or for watching TV shows and movies, this is a must-buy. It supports a maximum input of 60W, so you can charge your iPad Pro at full speed while using any of the other hub ports.
Linklike 2-in-1 USB C to 3.5mm Headphones Adapter
The Linklike 2-in-1 USB-C to 3.5mm Headphones Adapter is designed to let you listen and charge simultaneously on a variety of USB Type C devices. The unit’s built-in Realtek DAC Audio Chip emits high-resolution sound at 24bit/96kHz. The adapter is widely compatible with the iPad Pro 2020 and 2018, the Samsung Galaxy S21 range, S20 range, Note 20 range, and Note 10, various models of the Google Pixel, HTC, Essential Phone, Huawei Mate 20, and other Type C devices. It supports Power Delivery (PD) fast charging for a number of devices — with the notable exceptions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Huawei phones — and provides up to 60W (20V/3A) power output. Use it for volume control, HD calls, and answering calls on compatible devices.
Belkin Rockstar 3.5mm Audio + USB-C Charge Adapter
The Belkin USB-C audio adapter, specifically built for USB-C devices that lack 3.5mm audio ports, lets you listen to music and other audio while charging your device through a single USB-C port. This adapter features USB-C charging and a 3.5mm auxiliary port for music, videos, phone calls, and more. The USB-C port is compatible with both quick charge 2.0 and USB-PD, delivering swift and safe power when connected to compatible chargers. The unit’s digital-to-analog audio converter delivers high-resolution, static-free, feedback-free sound wherever you go.
Acessorz USB C to 3.5mm Audio Aux Jack Adapter
Acessorz designed this exclusive USB C to 3.5mm aux cable cord to feature advanced digital audio converter (DAC) chips that solve the audio problems encountered with most Type-C mobile devices. With its Realtek DAC chips, it supports high-resolution 192khz sound quality with no-loss transmission of the audio signal. You can use this adapter to listen to music from your car aux stereo speaker or as a headphone adapter with your devices. It only supports music, with no calling function. It’s compatible with most Type C devices like the iPad Pro 2020 and 2018 Google Pixel 2, 3, 4, XL, OnePlus, Samsung Galaxy Note S20, S20 Ultra 10, S10, S9, Note 10, Huawei, LG, Essential Phone, and Xiaomi. The Acessorz USB C to 3.5mm Audio Aux Jack Adapter is made with premium durable polished zinc-alloy and a gold-plated connector plus a durable four-foot nylon braided cable.
Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter
Apple comes to the rescue with its own USB-C to 3.5mm adapter so you can listen to your favorite programming, movies, and music on the new USB-C iPad models — the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation) and the iPad Pro 11-inch (third generation). The USB-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter lets you connect accessories that use a standard 3.5mm audio plug — like headphones or speakers — to your USB-C devices. It’s a simple unit that does the trick.
USB C DAC Headphone Adapter
This premium quality DAC adapter lets you enjoy high fidelity audio on your smartphone with a built-in DAC high-resolution chip that plays back with ultra-low power dissipation and multi-mode dynamic power control. The adapter facilitates high-resolution audio output and noise reduction up to 32 bits/384 kHz lossless to enhance the original sound quality of your mobile phone. It can drive stereo earbuds up to 35mW/32Ohm to accommodate a wide range of tones. The slim design lets you connect to headphones and smartphones anytime and ensures automatic recognition of the headphones via the OMTP/CTIA standard. The USB C DAC Headphone Adapter supports most Android 5.1 or above devices with standard USB-C, such as the iPad Pro 2018, Google Pixel 2, 2 XL, 3, 3 XL, 4, 4 XL, Moto Z, Z2, OnePlus 8 Pro, Huawei Mate 30 Pro, P20, Mate 20, and the Samsung Galaxy S20 range, Note 10, Note 10 Plus, and the Z Flip — as well as many others.
Jsaux USB Type C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter
Jsaux is compatible with most Type C phones like the Pixel 4, 3, 2, XL, Samsung Galaxy S21 range, S20, S20 Ultra, S10, S9, S8 Plus, Note 20, Note 10, iPad Pro, Huawei Mate 30, 20, 10 Pro, and many other devices, thanks to its Type C to 3.5mm adapter. The compact, brightly colored adapter supports wire control and lets you listen to music and answer phone calls with your headphones. It’s compatible with up to 24bit/96Khz, giving you a rich, high-fidelity sound.
Google USB Type C to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter
The Google USB Type C to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter is a simple, compact, adapter that lets you continue to use your favorite 3.5mm headphones the same way you did with the headphone jack. The small, lightweight device fits easily in a purse or backpack, so you can take it wherever you go. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles that other adapters come with, like extra ports for charging, or MicroSD card slots, but it’s a solid, dependable adapter that can be slipped into a pocket, purse, or anywhere small. This is going to work if all you need is a way to use your 3.5mm-equipped headphones with your new phone, but if you need something with more support, then look elsewhere.
ESR 2-in-1 USB-C Headphone Jack Adapter
The ESR 2-in-1 splits your USB-C port into a PD-compatible USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack, so you can fast-charge your device and listen to music or watch videos at the same time. It supports the Power Delivery protocol specification 2.0 and QC 2.0 fast charging, up to 30W. Two chipsets ensure stable, high-fidelity audio transmission that is compatible with most USB-C and 3.5mm devices. Supported devices include the Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, 3, 3 XL, Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, S10, S10 Plus, S10e, S9, S8, Note 10, Note 10 Plus, iPad Pro 2018, and more. When you’re using the ESR 2-in-1, you have to connect everything up in a certain order so that it all works correctly. First, hook up your headphones and charger to the adapter, and then connect the adapter to your device.
Ailun USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter
If you’re looking for the best sound quality, you’ll have to try the Ailun adapter. Its digital audio converter (DAC) high-resolution chipset offers a sampling rate of up to 192KHz/24bit to convert digital audio signals to analog and maintain your headphones’ original sound quality. In addition to delivering original sound quality, it uses an anti-interference feature to block surrounding noise. It also works to clear up translational static that would interfere with the audio quality. The unit is compatible with a wide variety of smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S21, S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, S10, S10 Plus, Note 20, Note 10, Note 10 Plus, Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 2, Motorola Moto Z, Z Droid, Z Force, Z Play, HTC U11, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, OnePlus 8, 7, 7 Pro, 6T, iPad Pro 2018, and other Type-C devices. You can listen to music and make calls with this adapter from most USB smartphones, although certain brands, like the Samsung Galaxy S8/S9/N8, do not allow phone calls.
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