Wired Earphones

Earphones that never run flat

Wired earphones work as long as the phone does. There is nothing to charge and nothing to pair: plug in and listen. Sound arrives at the same moment as the picture, which matters for games, music apps and video editing, and there is less to lose, one cable rather than two small earbuds and a case. They suit long journeys, gaming, anyone who forgets to charge things, and anyone who wants a spare pair in the bag. Against that, the cable tangles, catches on bags and wears at the plug.

USB-C, Lightning or 3.5mm: which plug

Wired earphones come with one of three plugs, and the one you need depends entirely on the phone.

• 3.5mm. The round headphone plug used for decades. Many older phones and some current Android phones still have the socket, as do most laptops, games consoles and in-flight screens. A small round hole next to the charging port is a 3.5mm socket. iPhones have had no headphone socket for many years, and many recent Android phones have dropped it too.
• USB-C. Earphones that plug into the charging port, used by most recent Android phones and by iPhone 15 and later. Some USB-C earphones have no electronics of their own and rely on the phone to turn digital sound into the signal earphones need. Not every phone does that, and on those that do not, such earphones stay silent. USB-C earphones with a small converter built in, often called a DAC, do the job themselves and work with far more phones.
• Lightning. For iPhones with the Lightning port, which is iPhone 14 and earlier. They will not fit an iPhone 15 or later.

What else to check

Most wired earphones made for phones have a small microphone and a button or three on the cable, for answering calls, pausing music and changing the volume. If you take calls on them, check for these, because some pairs carry sound only. Already have good 3.5mm earphones and a USB-C phone? A USB-C to headphone adapter lets you keep them, and one with its own converter works with more phones. A dust plug keeps pocket fluff out of a headphone socket when nothing is plugged in.

Questions people ask about wired earphones

Why do my USB-C earphones not work with my new phone?

They probably rely on the phone to convert the sound, and not every phone does. Earphones or an adapter with their own converter work with far more phones.

Can I use Lightning earphones on an iPhone 15 or later?

Not directly. iPhone 15 and later use USB-C, so you need USB-C earphones or Bluetooth earbuds.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Bluetooth earbuds
• USB-C to headphone adapters
• Ear tips
• Dust plugs
• For gamers
• Guide: Earphones and earbuds for your phone
• Guide: Mobile gaming accessories: controllers, triggers and coolers