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When listening to music I played tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs spanning a variety of genres – though I also spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home and while out on walks near busy roads. If your top priority is style, these hit the right notes, thanks to a diminutive connector, sleek curved buds and a slim wire. They’re available for just $19 / £19 / AU$29 – that’s in-line, or cheaper than a lot of competitors. One of the most attractive things about these buds is their super-low price.

QDoes it fit in a iphone 14

Despite the fact that Apple makes the EarPods (USB-C), they’re nothing like AirPods. Sometimes you just need a cheap thing that does what you ask of it. There’s no app, no spatial audio — nothing.

• Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they only cost $19 / £19 / AU$29.
• Unlike traditional, circular earbuds, the design of the EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear.
• This muddiness almost smothered D’Angiò’s smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage.
• It seems as though the Apple EarPods (USB-C) won’t work with all phones.
• Sometimes you just need a cheap thing that does what you ask of it.

QAre they compatible with iPhone 16

They are a fair bit heavier than a lot of competitors at 1.1oz / 30g, but they never felt heavy in-ear or irritating to wear for longer listening sessions. Again, the lack of eartips removes what is typically a passive protective layer, so I often heard colleagues talking in my office or cars zooming by while on walks. This can be quite frustrating when you’re on the move; I found myself readjusting to get a more snug feel a little too often for my liking.

Audio isn’t going to wow and the controller lacks volume controls, but if you just want some stylish, cheap buds, that likely won’t be a real dealbreaker. You want decent noise isolationBecause of their shape and design, the Apple EarPods USB-C won’t keep sound out effectively whatsoever. They’re just decent sound-wise – fine for cheap buds, but not good enough for the keenest of listeners. I didn’t find these buds to produce grating, nasty sound, but I didn’t feel that they offered well-defined, separated or dynamic audio either.

Unlike traditional, circular earbuds, the design of the EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. It’s not immediately clear why, but we were unable to get the earbuds to work with Asus phones, but Samsung devices were okay. You’ll have better luck with earbuds that actually seal to the ear for this activity. If you were hoping to listen to your tunes at a lower volume (or prevent people nearby from hearing what you’re listening to), these are not the kind of product to buy.

Because there’s no ear tip or other grippy material meant to hold the buds in place, many people will have fit issues with these. Back when earbuds used to come with your phone, they often looked a lot like the Apple EarPods (USB-C) — in fact, the current EarPods look virtually identical to the ones released in 2012. This kind of product exists mainly to satisfy those who don’t want anything fancy, just what they’re used to using.

You’re an audiophileIf top-drawer audio quality is what you’re after, keep looking. You’re on a tight budgetThese buds subvert the preconception that many have of Apple products – they’re not expensive at all. Vocals were decently clear on a voice recording and phone call, although there is some noticeable static in the background – something that’s typical for cheap and even some less cheap buds. It is worth noting, though, that some may find wearing buds with eartips for extended periods uncomfortable – so your impression of the fit itself will vary depending on personal preference.

Designed to fit the natural geometry of your ear, these earbuds offer a comfortable listening experience for everyone. They’re cheap earbuds that may end up in your junk drawer, but they work and cost less than $20. It’s a frustrating reality of cheap USB-C earbuds.

Enter the Apple EarPods (USB-C), Apple’s first USB-C wired audio product. The speakers inside the EarPods have been engineered to maximise sound output, which means you get high-quality audio. You also get solid noise isolation and a comfortable fit. They’re a fair bit more than Apple’s buds, but for less than $50/£40/AU$70, you still get detailed, balanced audio – partially thanks to a built-in DAC.

Hello, yes, the Apple Earpods USB-C In-Ear Headphones are genuine Apple headphones. The product itself is great and with me everyday From start to finish the service and product were excellent. Forgot my earphones and got these on the off chance – Great value for money! Amazing always gotta love Apple quality

Despite that, actual bass levels are respectable – you get a solid amount of low-end weight for some super-cheap wired buds, even if clarity isn’t top-drawer. And speaking of that low-end, you’re not going to be blown away with incredibly clear quality. The Apple EarPods USB-C won’t subject you to the grating, abrasive sound that a lot of budget buds serve up, but they won’t blow you away by any means.

At just $19 / £19 / AU$29, they’re ideal if you’re working with a limited budget. You love the way Apple products 1xbet download lookIf you typically like the white, glossy look of Apple’s peripherals, you’ll surely be a big fan of these buds – well, design-wise at least. But on a positive note, these are a very elegant pair of wired buds – in fact, a lot of budget competitors can’t even come close in the style department. A less debatable flaw of the relatively loose fit of the EarPods is that it allows a lot of external noise to seep through.

The Apple EarPods USB-C released in 2023 and are the tech giant’s debut in the wired USB-C world. Overall, then, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty solid given their low price – that is if you can deal with their lack of ear tips. The soundstage is a tad messy, with instruments often failing to find a defined pocket to play in. Sure, they still have the token Apple charm, sleek looks and minimalist design, and the wired look is aesthetically pleasing, in my view. And in terms of quality, the mic is pretty standard. The wire is also slim, rounded and not too bad of an offender when it comes to cable noise – which is still noticeable, but not overwhelming.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they only cost $19 / £19 / AU$29. But do these buds merely open a window to the past, or do they craft a strong sonic experience in their own right? Why you can trust TechRadarWe spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best.

But having said that, there’s not too much tinniness or unpleasantly aggressive treble sounds that you get with a lot of cheap wired buds. These earbuds don’t have eartips, so you don’t get a proper seal with them. Audio can be pretty bloated and the lack of eartips means you won’t get a noise isolating seal, but it’s hard to deny that these buds have stylish, sleek looks and an impressively small price tag.

However, it really didn’t sound all too distinct, coming through slightly muddied with sounds in the low-end – an issue that you won’t experience with some of the best wired earbuds. If you want passive noise isolation, you’re better off choosing some buds with ear tips in order to form a sound-repelling seal. This looser fit means that sound isn’t perfectly concentrated and the buds will sometimes feel as if they’re falling out of your ears.

These wired earbuds may not fit your iPod anymore, but they’ll work with almost any modern handset – Apple or not – thanks to their USB-C connector. We also don’t recommend the Apple EarPods (USB-C) for working out, as the poor fit and cables will create many opportunities for the earbuds to rocket out of your ears. We often take a dim view of earbuds that don’t block out much outside noise, and we do here as well. Geared towards the kind of folks that really only need something to play back audio on the cheap, Apple’s EarPods aren’t going to make you forget about the best earbuds out there. Sure, the controller is a little fiddly, but otherwise these are a great pair of wired earbuds.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It seems as though the Apple EarPods (USB-C) won’t work with all phones. Something may snag the wire, or the naturally slippery buds could just pop out on their own.

This muddiness almost smothered D’Angiò’s smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage. On top of that, you get a decent helping of bass – even if it’s not ultra-clear or able to stretch to extreme depths. But for the most part, they do still offer adequate audio.