Best Lightning and USB-C Wired Headphones for iPhone and iPad (2023)

RRP:£179

Austrian toneis a household name in Hi-Fi circles, manufacturing high-end headphones and microphones for musicians and audiophiles. However, it also makes some more affordable headphones, like the Hi-X25BT, which offer impressive sound quality for a very affordable $179/£135.

As the name suggests, the Hi-X25BT includes Bluetooth to provide a wireless option when you need it with an impressive 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. However, it's sub-optimal with Bluetooth, as it doesn't support Apple's AAC or AptX for Android and relies on the simpler SBC codec for wireless audio.

The focus is therefore more on using the Hi-X25BT as wired headphones via its USB-C port. Austrian includes two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C to 3.5mm connector that provides standard analog audio, or a simple USB-C cable that provides digital audio from an iPad, Mac, or other device with USB-C. A USB-A adapter is also included, and I've had no trouble using the Hi-X25BT with both USB-A and 3.5mm ports on my aging office iMac. I also found a Belkin Lightning audio adapter in my desk drawer, which allowed me to use the Lightning-connected Hi-X25BT on my iPhone - although of course these don't come with the headphones, so you'd have to get yours provide your own adapter for an iPhone.

And as you'd expect from a company with an Austrian Hi-Fi background, the sound quality is great thanks to 40mm drivers with an impressive 12Hz - 24kHz frequency response. The cymbal smash that opens Blondie's Rapture sounds crisp and clear, with an easy, relaxed feel on the jangling rhythm guitar. The song's hopping bassline is also a treat and never gets lost in the mix, as can sometimes happen with less-precise headphones.

RRP:39,99 $

Lightning headphones are usually quite expensive because manufacturers have to make a special version of their standard headphones that uses the Apple-only connector just for iPhone owners. However,Belkinsurprised us by releasing its SoundForm headphones with a Lightning connector, priced at just $39.99/£29.99.

Despite their low price, the SoundForm headphones - formerly called Rockstar but renamed - are built tough, with a chunky, flat cable that reduces tangles when you slip them in your pocket.

The inline controls are pretty basic - just a small mic for voice calls, a couple of volume control buttons, and a play/pause button that controls music and phone calls. And at this price point, there aren't many additional extras either - there's no carrying case and only three sizes of silicone ear tips, although that should be enough to provide a good, comfortable fit for most people.

Belkin also says the headphones are water-resistant - although no IP rating is specified - so they should be a good, affordable option for a jog in the park or a workout at the gym.

The sound quality is also a pleasant surprise considering the low price. The SoundForm delivered the layered bombast of Bohemian Rhapsody with clarity and detail. Smaller, cheaper earbuds like these often suffer from weak bass, but the SoundForm also managed to cut through the deep, eerie electronic bass of The Orb's Prime Evil.

Our only concern is that sound quality is very dependent on getting a good, snug fit in your ears, but as long as the Belkin-supplied earbuds fit you properly, the SoundForm are the best set of budget Lightning headphones we have seen until now. Belkin also makes some handy and affordable Lightning adapters that allow you to use existing 3.5mm headphones with a newer iPhone, or even connect an iPhone to a car music system.

RRP:$169

Zorloo's new Zophia earbuds really stand out in a crowded market simply because they offer both Bluetooth wireless and a more traditional wired mode.

If you need the convenience of Bluetooth, the Zophia supports Apple's AAC codec along with AptX for Android devices. Battery life is relatively modest at just five hours, but the USB-C charging case lets you charge the earbuds for a total of 25 hours of listening time. But when the battery runs out or you want to listen to your favorite music in the best possible sound quality, you can simply plug in the proprietary audio cable provided by Zorloo and the Zophia will automatically turn off Bluetooth and switch to wired mode.

The audio cable has a USB-C interface that works with Macs and iPads with USB-C, but you can also buy the Zophia with a Lightning adapter. The cable also acts as a DAC - digital-to-analog converter - bypassing the somewhat sluggish analog audio you can get from many Apple devices to improve sound quality even further. The standard USB-C version of the Zophia costs $169/£139, or $179/£147 with the Lightning adapter. And for true hi-fi fans, there's a $209/£170 version that comes with the Lightning adapter and added support for the studio-quality MQA audio format used by some high-end audio devices and streaming services like Tidal is used.

The Zophia works fine in Bluetooth mode, although there are cheaper Bluetooth headphones that can match its sound quality with Bluetooth alone. But it's the wired option that's the Zophia's real selling point - and when I switch the Zophia to wired mode with the Lightning adapter on my iPhone, the sound quality improves immediately. Kate Bush is all over the internet right now thanks to Running Up That Hill being used in Stranger Things on Netflix, but my favorite track on the Hounds Of Love album has always been The Big Sky, and especially the thundering 12 inch version . Meteorological Mix". The Zophia really comes to life with the Lightning Adapter wired connection and immediately reveals brighter, more vibrant sound. It captures the deep, snappy sound of the slap bass and the rumbling avalanche of drums and percussion, but still manages to pick out lighter details like the shimmering cymbals and of course Kate's own soaring vocals as the final chorus spills over. go out into the big, big sky..."

RRP:$19

Applestopped including the EarPods in new iPhones years ago - which was annoying for iPhone owners, but great for headphone makers who could step in with their own alternatives. But the internet is saying that the cool kids these days are wearing wired headphones again - it's a retro thing, apparently - and the EarPods are still available for people who prefer a simple and affordable set of wired earbuds.

There are actually two versions available, both just $19/£19, with either a Lightning connector or a standard 3.5mm audio connector for older iPhones or iPad models that still have the old headphone jack. That 3.5mm port also works with other audio devices, and of course, a wired connection means you don't have to worry about running out of battery in the middle of a long journey.

The EarPods design was updated a few years ago, with a more oval earpiece designed to rest more easily in the ear. They still have the same one-size-fits-all design as the original EarPods, however, without the option to use different-sized silicone tips, so they're probably not the best choice for people who need a snug, snug fit when exercising or jogging in the park.

You don't get hi-fi quality headphones at this price point, but the wired connection avoids the compromises caused by Bluetooth's limited bandwidth, so the EarPods still offer respectable sound quality. Bass sounds nice and tight, and our only complaint is that higher frequencies can sound a bit thin at times.

The name suggests thatSennheisersMomentum Wireless headphones may only be wireless, but Momentum - currently in their 3rd generation - were actually one of the first headphones to support audio over a USB-C connection. And alongside the USB-C port on the right earbud, there's also a 2.5mm audio port for analog audio, with both USB-C and 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cables included scope of delivery are included.

Available in black or white, the Momentum Wireless costs $399/£349, making it one of the more expensive headphones in this category - but that's still $150/£200 cheaper than Apple's AirPods Max ($549/£549 ). don't offer a wired option (unless you buy a separate £35/$35 Lightning adapter). The Momentum Wireless also includes noise-cancelling capabilities and supports Apple's AAC codec for Bluetooth, as well as AptX for Android devices, making it both cheaper and more versatile than the AirPods Max.

The only minor oddity is that while we had no trouble using USB-C to listen to music on a couple of USB-C office iPads, the Momentum couldn't play music from our office Macs via USB-C. That means the USB-C option is best suited for the latest iPad models with USB-C - although of course there's still Bluetooth and the standard headphone jack for Macs, iPhones and other devices.

And as you'd expect from Sennheiser, the Momentum Wireless sounds great in both wired and wireless modes. I've always loved the warm tones of Sennheiser headphones and this sound really stands out on Kate Bush's The Big Sky, capturing both the range and richness of her voice in the song's chorus. However, the Momentum 3 Wireless also has a frequency response that extends down to 6Hz in the low end - and 22kHz at higher frequencies - and it delivers a big, punchy bass sound for the song's rumbling bass and drums that really catches the eye Pleasure is dance and rock music.

RRP:49,99 $

As the name indicates,JLabsThe Go Work headset is primarily designed for use at work, making phone calls or video conferencing with colleagues and clients at work. It has thickly padded ear cups so you can wear it comfortably all day, and there's an adjustable boom mic to ensure your voice is clear on calls. You can use the Go Work with Bluetooth if you want, and it has an impressive 45-hour battery life to see you through a full week at work. The right earbud does have a USB-C port, however, which is primarily used for charging, but can also be used for a wired audio connection if that's what you prefer.

It's nice to have this wired option, although oddly the included audio cable only has a 3.5mm audio connector. This worked fine with the headphone jack on my office iMac, but of course iPads and iPhones no longer have a headphone jack. So if you want to use the Go Work with your mobile devices, you still need to buy a 3.5mm adapter from Apple or another company like Belkin.

The sound quality is perfectly fine for voice calls and of course you can also listen to some music in your free time. The sound is a little bass-heavy - although some people like that - but still perfectly respectable for headphones this cheap, and the low price makes the Go Work a good option for people working from home.

RRP:$240

The problem with most Lightning headphones is simply that they only work with Apple devices like the iPhone and older iPads — and not even newer Apple products like the iPad Pro line, which has now ditched Lightning in favor of USB. C instead. It's hard to justify spending a lot of money on expensive headphones that only work with a single device.

So Moshi did it cleverlyAvantiOn-Ear Headphones. They're quite expensive at around £220/$240, but the headphones include both a detachable Lightning cable for Apple devices, and a traditional 3.5mm cable, offering compatibility with a wider range of smartphones and other audio devices . Moshi also makes a second model called theForward C, which comes with a USB-C cable for the growing number of smartphones and tablets compatible with this connector.

The headphones themselves are elegantly designed and come in a variety of colors. The on-ear design means they're quite compact, and the earcups fold inward for convenient storage in the included carrying case when travelling.

They also sound great thanks to a frequency range of 15 Hz – 22 kHz. This allows them to deliver really nice, tight bass on dance tracks like The Orb's Prime Evil, while also extending right through to Roger Taylor's glass-cutting falsetto on Queen's Lap Of The Gods.

Quality sound, portable design and useful accessories ensure that the Avanti LT headphones really pack a punch both at home and on the go - and unlike most Lightning headphones, you can use them with non-Apple devices .

RRP:$399

Although the nuraphones are wireless, they have a proprietary connector. Usually that's an annoying feature, but here it means you can use the headphones with a range of different cables, including Lightning.

It is very unlikely that you have used headphones like theseNuras. They may look like regular over-ear headphones, but they also have an in-ear section. It's an odd feeling that you'll have to get used to, but the technology on offer here might be worth it.

We don't find them the most comfortable headphones due to the design, but the sound quality and features are quite special.

When you first start using nuraphones, they play a series of tones to map your personal hearing. Once it knows which frequencies you are more or less sensitive to, it creates a profile unique to you. You might not believe how good it is - try someone else's profile and you won't like the sound as much.

Additionally, the design means that while the in-ear drivers do most of the regular work, the outer shells have bass drivers for an adjustable mode of immersion. This is best described as if you have a subwoofer in your headphones and you feel rather than hear the bass.

A G2 software update for the app will also bring additional features. Namely active noise cancellation with a "social mode" so you can hear what's going on around you without taking off the headphones.

They cost $400 / £349 and are available fromAmazonasandNura. You canRead a full review on Tech Advisor.