The Best Headphone Jack Adapters for Apple and Android Devices

Headphone jack adapters, also known as phone connectors or dongles, allow you to use two devices with non-compatible ports. Since many phone companies eliminated the headphone jack, old wired headphones and earbuds no longer work with new phones. However, headphone jack adapters thankfully bridge the gap between lightning or USB C ports and the male end of the headphones. We’ve done our research, so allow us to show you how to choose the best headphone jack adapter that will be compatible with your device.

How We Chose the Headphone Jack Adapters in this Buying Guide

Since we needed to provide you with the best options available among the wide variety of products on today's market, we had to ensure that these phone connectors tick all the boxes and exceed expectations.

Let's look at these features, requirements, and factors that must be met and considered when choosing a headphone jack adapter.

Price

We considered price first for one reason: if you’re trying to save money by not purchasing a new pair of headphones, you wouldn’t want to spend a lot of money on an adapter.

Headphone jack adapters are relatively inexpensive. With as little as $5, you can be the proud owner of one and can use with your favorite earbuds or headphones. Standard adapters in this price point are the 1/4inch adapters.

If the 3.5mm to USB C adapter is what you want, then be ready to spend about $8 - $15 for the ones that made it to the review section above. These adapters are made of quality materials and may feature braided cables for extra strength and durability. While the price is low, you will not notice a decrease in audio quality, making it well worth the small investment.

Finally, there are adapters which may be more expensive, sometimes close to $30, that feature two ports to allow you to charge and listen to music simultaneously. They come with every other feature you love that the $8 - $15 adapters have but with the added bonus of charging capabilities.

Quality of the Audio Signal

When you choose an adapter, you need to ensure that the quality of the audio signal from your device will be preserved, if not enhanced; for this reason, you need to ensure that whatever jack adapter you pick packs DAC signal chips. These DAC chips help reduce the power consumption rate, perform noise cancellation duties, and reduce or eliminate crackling sound.

In addition to the presence of DAC signal chips, the quality of the wire will also influence the quality and transmission of sound. We advise that you opt for adapters with high-quality copper wires that will not corrode and are less prone to causing static.

Durability

Every product will boast of durability, but not every adapter manufacturer will deliver on its promise, leading to a waste of money. To avoid this, here are some ways you can identify adapters that will be with you for the long run.

First, ensure that the connector housing is made from aluminum. Secondly, you should also ensure that the cables are braided. Braided nylon cables are bend and twist-resistant, and the addition of reinforcements in these cables helps to increase their life span. The last thing you want is for bending to damage the wiring inside the adapter, forcing you to purchase a new one.

Size of the Output Port and Headphone Jack

Last, but certainly not least, when selecting a headphone jack adapter is the size of the output port. It makes no sense to buy an adapter that is durable and packs quality features if it does not fit into the device for which it is intended. The 3.5mm headphone jack is the most common size, so keep that in mind.

Let’s explore the types of headphone jacks and output ports further so you can make an informed purchase:

What are the Types of Headphone Jacks and Output Audio Ports?

Here are the different types of output audio ports and headphone jacks:

Lightning Port

Lightning ports are ports designed and manufactured by Apple to power and transfer data between the iPhone, iPad, and iPod chargers. These ports are very thin; the thinness of these ports is one of the many reasons Apple has been able to keep its devices light and thin.

Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack from the iPhone 7 and all the later versions.

If you own an Apple device, you need to opt for one of the lightning headphone jack adapters as no other option will fit with Apple products. However, the most recent iPads make use of the USB-C port.

USB Port and Jack

The universal serial port is one found on many Android devices today. With the right USB cable connected to the appropriate port, you will be able to power and transfer data between your devices with ease.

USB-C Port and Jack

Yes, USB-C ports are quickly taking over the scene today. They are found on many modern devices, such as Samsung Galaxy phones, Google Pixels, and new Apple iPads. There are loads of USB-C port headphone jack adapters to choose from, just like the handful we listed above.

3.5mm Jack

The 3.5mm jack is the most common type of headphone jack. You can find them on almost every PC and portable speaker. Two of the most common types of 3.5mm jacks include the TRS and the TRRS audio jacks.

The TRS audio jack is used in speakers and microphones and with this type of audio jack, you will only be able to listen to music and listen in calls. People on the other end of the call or video won’t be able to hear you when you talk. This is because they support only stereo sounds but not the microphone feature.

Additionally, we also have the TRRS 3.5mm jacks that have the stereo and microphone function. If your device has a 3.5mm audio port and you own a 3.5mm headphone jack, there might not be any need for you to get one of the adapters above.

2.5mm Jack

Although these were the preferred option prior to the rise of the 3.5mm audio jack, the 2.5mm jacks are still available and are good for connecting your headset to a landline, a video recording camera, or a radio.

Remember we said they are still available today; you will even find that some premium brands still use it on their devices. These are not incredibly common, but check and ensure that you buy a 3.5mm to 2.5mm jack if your device has a 2.5mm connector.

6.35mm Jack

Popular with the cables in musical instruments like guitars, amplifiers, and speakers, we have the 6.35mm jack. If you need to connect your headphones to an amplifier, you should get a 3.5mm to 6.35mm jack.

Splitters

Splitters might be just what you are looking if you who wish to connect two or more headsets into a single port. These splitters feature two plugs for connecting two 3.5mm headsets into one port. With one of these handy devices, you can listen to music with your friend without bothering those around you.

Headphone Jack Adapter FAQ

Q: Do adapters ruin sound quality?

A: Many of the best headphone jack adapters keep your sound quality the same, and, if anything, help improve it. If the adapter is compatible with your device and features DAC chips, you can be sure that your headphone jack adapter will improve your overall listening experience.

Q: How long do headphone jack adapters last?

A: A typical 3.5mm headphone jack will last 5,000+ unplug and plug cycles. Many of the top-rated Type C headphone jack adapters boast 10,000+ cycles.

Q: Do headphone jack adapters work?

A: As long as your device supports audio adapter accessory mode and a connector for charging, then you should have no issues connecting a headphone jack adapter to your device.