While manufacturers are making sure to cut off all cords as part of their increased focus on wireless headphones, it doesn’t mean wired connections aren’t an option. Bluetooth headphones are great, but if you’d rather do without the latency and charging process, USB-C headphones are a great alternative to both. Just plug and play, and that’s it.
Go bold
RAZER Hammerhead USB-C ANC
Staff Pick
These earbuds already stand out with the neon green finish, but they also have booming sound and active noise cancelation (ANC). They also come with plenty of tips to get the comfy fit you’d want while wearing them for longer periods.
$100 at Walmart $99 at Newegg
Wireless first with USB-C audio
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
While the Momentum 3 Wireless are Bluetooth first, they work just like a pair of USB-C wired headphones. Even better, you can charge them at the same time you’re listening to music. A premium design and solid sound with ANC means you get a great package.
$370 at Amazon $400 at Best Buy $400 at B&H
Signature Samsung
Samsung AKG USB Type-C Earphones
Samsung won’t throw these in a box with a phone or tablet anymore, but these AKG-tuned earbuds are more than capable of delivering good sound for what you’re paying. There are no extra bells and whistles here. They just sound better than you’d expect.
$26 at Amazon
Great value
CKLYYL USB Type C Earphones
These USB-C earbuds from CKLYYL won’t take much out of your pocket, and they keep things simple by just focusing on the basics. You get in-line microphone and media controls, along with a few ear tip sizes in the box to find the best fit.
$11 at Amazon
Go to the movies
Creative SXFI Trio
Creative’s Super X-Fi (SXFI) technology is built into these impressive USB-C earbuds, putting 7.1-style surround sound between your ears while watching movies, listening to music, or playing games. They sound great even without that, and the SXFI app includes an EQ to customize the audio profile.
$140 at Creative
Google stock
Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds
Google stopped including earbuds with the Pixel 4 or Pixel 4 XL, but the Google Pixel USB-C Earbuds are still readily available and still sound great. They’ll fit right with the adjustable loop, and activating Google Assistant is only a button press away. The price is right, too.
$30 at Walmart
Hi-Res certified
Xiaomi Mi ANC Earphones
Xiaomi put some thought into making these ANC earphones, focusing on great sound through their certification for Hi-Res audio. It doesn’t hurt that they also use MEMS (micro-electromechanical microphones) in the earpieces to make sure ANC is precise.
$44 at Amazon
Wireless and wired at once
1More Dual Driver ANC Pro
Neckbands aren’t as common as other earbuds, but 1More does a good job with these by making them sound great and including effective ANC performance. Hi-res codec support through AAC and LDAC doesn’t hurt, either. Battery life also goes up to 20 hours of charge.
$102 at Amazon $150 at Best Buy
Immersive gaming
Creative SXFI Gamer
There’s a combination at work here that puts together Creative’s SXFI tech for virtual surround sound, excellent audio performance, and an effective mic, which all creates a great set of gaming headphones. Use them on a console, computer, or try them out on a phone or tablet.
$101 at Amazon
If you have to, get in on USB-C
USB-C audio isn’t as prevalent in 2020 as you might think, despite the headphone jack having already become increasingly harder to find on mobile devices. There are still a few that stick to the 3.5mm jack, but wireless headphones are the ongoing trend. It’s just that Bluetooth can introduce latency, which may be fine if your phone can fill the gap on YouTube videos and streaming music, but not for gaming or live TV. That’s where you can’t compensate for latency unless you plug in.
So, the selection may be somewhat limited, but you can find a great set of headphones using the new connector.
The RAZER Hammerhead USB-C ANC are at the top of the list because they offer more than just sound, but rather something experiential and versatile compared to others like them. If you’re OK with spending more on over-ear headphones, give the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless a shot for their excellent sound, ANC, and premium design.
