Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter

After testing a handful of USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapters from other brands (some cheap, some mid-range), I circled back to Apple’s official one — and I’m honestly glad I did.🎧 Sound QualityThe audio quality is noticeably clean. No hissing, static, or interference — just crisp, full-spectrum sound. I used it with a pair of high-impedance wired headphones (Sennheiser HD 25s) on my MacBook Air and also with Pixel Buds (wired) on my iPad Pro. Everything sounded how it should sound — no compromises.⚙️ Plug-and-Play ReliabilityUnlike some off-brand adapters that randomly disconnect or stop working after a month, this one just works. Every time. No “device not supported” errors, no lag when switching between apps, and no need to reboot anything.💼 Build QualityIt’s compact and lightweight, yet doesn’t feel cheap. The cable strain relief is solid (which matters when you’re tossing it into a laptop bag every day), and the USB-C connector is snug but not overly tight — no wobble or misalignment.✅ Who Is This For?This is a must-have for:People who still prefer wired headphones for better sound or zero-latency (especially for gaming or music production).Anyone using newer MacBooks, iPads, or Android devices without headphone jacks.Travelers or remote workers who depend on consistent audio for Zoom/Teams calls.❌ DrawbacksPrice-wise, it’s more expensive than generic options — but in my experience, those often fail quickly or have compatibility quirks. If you’re buying this for mission-critical use (like calls, studio work, or just long-term peace of mind), it’s worth paying the Apple tax. My only wish is that Apple would offer a black version to better match dark accessories.Bottom Line:Yes, there are cheaper alternatives — but if you value reliability and high-quality audio in a tiny, durable package, Apple’s adapter is the one to beat. It’s not flashy, but it’s built to quietly do its job without drama.✅ Highly recommended for anyone using USB-C devices daily who doesn’t want to give up their wired headphones.

This might be a little expensive, like most Apple products, but it's the only adapter I've tried that doesn't suck for audiobooks. I wasted time (and $10) on inexpensive Chinese brands (KUXIYAN, OITYEUF) which all had static noise and a poorly designed auto-mute function. The auto-mute in the cheapo DAC is designed to make static less noticeable but it actually cuts off sound at the wrong time. The DAC mutes if the speaker takes a breath for 2 seconds, then it doesn't turn on in time so words seem randomly cut-off. In the last novel I was listening to, this kept happening on new chapters so I had no idea perspectives and locations were changing. That was a terrible experience.This doesn't apply to music which has constant noise in the background. So if you're just listening to music and dont care about minor static then you can just buy a cheapo one.The Apple adapter had NO problems at all. Just plug and play. No more micromanaging bluetooth earbuds(carry a bulky storage case, remember to charge, turn it off in settings if you want to switch device) and I can use my expensive IEMs. I wish I had simply started with this one instead of troubleshooting with different adapters, different phones, etc. It's shorter and thinner than my other adapters but that doesn't matter to me. This is the only time I've ever recommended Apple.

This is the original adapter. It just works and it works WELL! Great job Apple ;) Durability is better than the knockoffs and sound quality is superb!

Believe the hype about the better sound with the Apple certified sound chip, the difference is noticeable and sounds great. Simple to use, but seems a little flimsy at times, though it keeps working fine.

Works great, nice and small

This was the cheapest quality adapter I could find, and it works well on my iPad. It seems to power my headphones well and it sounds good in terms of quality. It works well on my Samsung phone too, but the produced volume is not as much as on iPad (I have to turn it up to max/near max to hear the audio well enough), likely due to only partial compatibility with Android devices. The other concern I have is that it twists due to the connected cable sometimes, and I worry it might malfunction due to the wear caused by twisting.

Just got it. Works on the 2025 iPad A16 11th generation, ios 18.5. Doesn't look all that tough...but time will tell. More review after using for a while.

If you have the RODE WIRELESS GO 2, this will work with it. I tried other adapters and they have a muffled sounds that went away when using this one.