Best USB-C Headphones – Top 8 Brands of 2023

The headphones game has changed a lot in recent years. We’ve seen more phone manufacturers drop the audio jack in favor of a sleeker wireless approach. We’ve even seen a phone with no buttons or charge port at all!

Not just that, but micro-USB is so last decade. With insane charging and data transfer speeds, USB C is the reigning king of all the USB ports. Thus, it has become all the more important to decide which way to go when looking for headphones.

But what are the best USB C headphones? Let’s find out as we go through this review…

Top 8 Best USB-C Headphones of 2023

1 AUKEY B60 Wireless Earbuds

The B60 itself isn’t a USB C type headphone but a great value wireless pair of earbuds that charge via USB C instead. What you get are ergonomically designed earbuds made with sport and fitness in mind. They come equipped with a hook-shaped earpiece that fits securely and comfortably in your ears.

The earbuds themselves are plastic but don’t feel cheap at all. The cable feels strong and is coated with a rubber-like material. You also get magnets attached to the back of the earbuds, which make them snap together for safekeeping.

They come with an IPX-6 rating, which means they are splash-proof and dust resistant. The earbuds are made with hypoallergenic materials and won’t cause any irritation for sensitive users. A nice carry case is also included.

The sound itself is pleasant. The bass is boosted like most sport-focused headphones. They provide a nice thick low-end that compliments most EDM/Workout music. However, there’s not a lot of clarity present, so we don’t recommend using these headphones for anything more than workout sessions.

The earbuds come packed with Bluetooth version 5, which means an excellent connection. Connecting is easy since the earbuds switch on and off by clipping the two earbuds together with the magnets on the back of them. This is super convenient and provides instant connection once you pull the earbuds apart

You’ll get about 7 hours of playback before you need to charge them up. Charging is done via USB-C, which is convenient and provides faster charging.

2 AUKEY B80 Wireless Earbuds

These are the slightly more expensive option to the B60. And they provide the same premium feeling plastic design, a PX-6 rating, and a nice carry case. The real difference is in the sound quality. Here you’ll find High Res certification, meaning aptX and aptX HD supported codecs.

This means they are perfect for any wireless earbud users who want to take a sturdier yet budget friendly option for their gym sessions but don’t want to lose out on audio quality.

The design itself is kept the same with the hook-shaped earpiece, but this time you’ll find a dual-driver inside for better audio performance. The only issue can be the cable, which might irritate some. If you can live with that, you’ll find these earbuds to the perfect workout companion.

You’ll also find support for virtual assistants on this pair of headphones for easy access to things like schedules and hands-free calls.

They come paired with Bluetooth version 5 and USB-C fast charge. However, you can only connect to one device at a time. The battery life is about the same as the B60 at 7 hours of playback time on a full charge.

Overall, the Aukey B80 adds some extra oomph to what was already a great package. If you’re keen on not losing audio quality and willing to dish out some extra cash, this is the better of the two. If your budget is tight and you don’t mind some loss of audio quality, the B60 should be your go-to.

3 Razer Hammerhead USB-C Earbuds Flat Style

Razer is synonymous with gaming. They specialize in gaming accessories but have over the years branched out a bit. They have two Razer phones on the market at present, and both ship without audio jacks.

It’s frustrating seeing them follow suit with companies like Apple and Samsung that have also removed the 3.5 mm ports from their flagship devices.

Introducing the Razer Hammerhead USB-C headphones!

The Razer Hammerheads feel heavy and sturdy with exceptional build quality and cool glowing Razer logos on the sides of the earphones when plugged in.

You’ll also find comply memory foam tips in the box for out of this world comfort, and a nice premium feeling carry case.

The earphones sound great and come with active noise cancelling that actually works! They won’t be replacing any premium Headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM3, but considering the small and light-weight form factor, they perform well. They easily block out traffic noise or people talking. Perfect for casual use around town and daily commuting.

Surprisingly, where most gaming headsets seem to emphasize the bass, the Razer Hammerheads have a more balanced approach. The bass is only ever so slightly raised, which still favors gaming situations, but you can easily pop these in for casual music listening and find yourself pleasantly surprised at the clarity they provide.

Overall, the Razer Hammerhead is one of the best sounding noise cancelling earphones in this form factor. Unfortunately, it’s important to note that not all devices are supported. You can find out more information on their website and see if your device is supported.

4 Razer Hammerhead USB-C Earbuds Braided Cable

This is the braded cable variant of the Razer Hammerhead USB-C. It comes equipped with the same 10 mm drivers that sound absolutely amazing considering the size of the earbuds themselves. They are also a little lighter, at about 10 grams.

And are again packed with Bluetooth version 5 and support for high-quality codecs like aptX and aptX HD.

The earbuds come with a built-in line-in microphone for gaming on the fly, whether it’s on your phone during your daily commute or at home on your laptop. These headphones will provide the best sound quality within this form factor for not only gaming but also listening to music.

Whether you’d choose the flat style cables or braided cables is merely a style preference. You get some cable management with the flat style cables since they are tangle free, but other than that, these headphones are pretty much the same and highly recommended.

5 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i ANC Wireless Headphones

Bang & Olufsen, commonly known as B&O, are premium headphones manufacturers with a very premium price tag. The Beoplay H9i is their latest noise cancelling headphones and direct competition to the infamous Sony WH-1000XM3 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 models.

First off, the sound quality goes beyond what is already considered the superb quality of the Sony and Bose offerings.

The headphones come with 40 mm angled drivers. This is not a common occurrence at headphones in this price range. The drivers are not centered and placed more to the front of your ears and angled down slightly. This replicates the feeling of listening to audio from studio speakers.

The headphones are designed with very premium feeling materials and were designed by Jakob Wagner, a famous and critically acclaimed Danish designer.

They are an absolute wonder to look at and even better when wearing them. Most of the headphone is made with aluminum with a padded fabric headband. The earpads are made with memory foam and covered with real leather for the softest and most comfortable earpads we have ever felt.

The noise cancelling is also superb but is the one area where Sony still stays on top.

Overall, the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i provides a luxurious set of headphones at a premium price.

They are worth every penny if you have the budget and will surely last a long time with excellent build quality.

6 Libratone Q-adapt in-ear USB-C ANC Earbuds

“Made for Google” is the slogan Libratone slaps on advertising for their new ANC earbuds.

These earbuds come with a braided cable that split into two thin and cheap feeling plastic cables running to the earbuds. And you’ll find several included tips in the box that will fit most ears at the level of comfort you prefer. The earphones themselves are quite comfy. However, it’s unfortunate that they also feel flimsy and cheaply put together.

At least the build quality does not translate over to the sound quality, and they have a nicely balanced sound. The lows are where they should be, the mid frequencies are clear, and the high frequencies sparkle nicely without any distortion or audio masking taking place.

The active noise control works really well. With four levels to choose from with only subtle differences between them, you’ll find yourself transported away from the real world and into whatever musical journey you choose to partake in.

Within the downloadable app, you’ll find the settings for the noise cancellation, which Libratone is calling, “citymix.” You can control the ANC on the app or on the in-line remote for ease of use. It also comes equipped with virtual assistant support, which you’d hope it has with the big “Made for Google” sticker on the box.

This leads to the biggest issue. You’ll struggle to find a list of phones supported by these earbuds. It’s frustrating and something that the company needs to remedy as quickly as possible.

Built with Google in mind, you can expect these to work on your Pixel devices, but other than that, you’d have to test them.

7 USB Type-C Stereo Earbuds

Cheaper “no name,” alternatives are great for anyone with a very strict budget.

If you’ve purchased a phone with no headphone jack and you’re not a fan of the wireless options, your choices are limited. There aren’t many USB-C headphones and even less at an affordable price.

They feature plastic covered cables and standard earbuds with some size options for bigger and smaller ears. And there is an in-line volume control for external volume adjustments and a built-in microphone for convenience.

The earphones themselves sound good considering the price range we are at. The bass is a bit overwhelming and can cause audio masking, but this is standard practice for earphones at this price range.

The microphone sounds fine when used for hands-free calls and is about on par with what most phone microphones sound. Not better, not worse.

It really is the price we are talking about. These are extremely budget-friendly options, and to be frank, you can do way worse than these earphones.

Be careful though, check if your phone is supported since not all USB-C phones are.

8 USB Type C Earbuds With Hi-Res

Another cheaper “no name,” alternative USB type-C earbud for the budget conscious.

With more and more phone manufacturers removing headphone jacks and pushing for the wireless headphones, we’ll be seeing more and more USB-C alternatives pop up. There is still a market for wired earphone users, and this is to partially fill that gap that has risen.

As with the earbuds we’ve just reviewed, you’ll find plastic covered cables and a pair of standard earbuds, as well as some size options for different sized ears.

And again, they feature an in-line volume control for external volume adjustments as well as a built-in microphone. The sound of the microphone is more than acceptable when used for hands-free calls.

These earphones support Hi-res audio, which is great for audiophiles who want lossless audio. This also means improved sound overall. These are still budget earphones and won’t blow you away but sound very good when you consider the price.

Excellent value for money for those on a budget or are prone to breaking or losing their earbuds.

Best USB-C Headphones Buying Guide

Do You Choose a Wired USB-C Headset, or Do You Go Wireless?

We know plenty of die-hard wired fans who simply don’t want to do away with cable protesting that the quality of sound cannot be replicated through a wireless connection.

Therefore, if analog is your preferred choice, there are some important things to bear in mind.

Finding compatible devices can be more daunting and, in some cases, near impossible. Before buying any USB type C headphone, make sure the devices you want to use it for are compatible.

You’ll Also Need To Decide What Your Budget Is

This is a key step since it’s important to note the different features of a headset and which are important to you. This way, you get the best set for the best price.

Audio quality is also important. If you listen to high-quality codecs like FLAC, you’ll need a pair that supports high-res codecs. If you’re not a fan or just don’t care about audio quality, then you can opt for cheaper headsets.

However, If Wireless is What You Want

Here you’ll find that your options are much more varied than that of the wired variety.

When going wireless, it’s important again to note the audio quality and codecs supported by the headphones. On wireless earphones, this will most likely be aptX or LDAC.

Build quality is important for all earphones. It’s good to know what you will be using the headphones for. Do you need an IPX rating for exercise and outdoor use? Will you be using them in a studio or at work? Do you want noise cancelling? Will you be gaming on them?

As you can see, there is a lot to consider, so go through the thought process, and you’ll be surprised how much easier it will be to decide on your perfect pair of USB C headphones.

More Options

If, however, you want even more choice, then check out our reviews of the Most Durable Earbuds, the Most Comfortable Earbuds, the Best Earbuds under 100 Dollars, the Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds, the Best Earbuds under 50 Dollars, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, or the Best Headphones and Earbuds for Sleeping currently on the market.

So, What Are The Best USB-C Headphones?

With a wide array of options to choose from, it is apparent that more and more headphone manufacturers are going the wireless route and have provided some stellar options. On the USB C side, there is still room for improvement, but we have seen some great headphones emerge like our particular favorite, the…

Libratone Q-adapt in-ear USB-C ANC Earbuds.

There is no doubt that in the coming years, there will be an even bigger shift to wireless and USB C headphones with manufacturers completely ditching wired equipment for the sleeker and more futuristic wireless look.

Happy listening.