Apple EarPods USB-C review: sleek, stylish, yet sonically unremarkable wired earbuds
Apple EarPods USB-C: Two-minute review
Readers, I hope you’re thinking back to the 2010s, or even the 2010s – I’m sure many of you will have fond memories of plugging into a wired network. apple The headphones plug into your iPod, maybe even an early iPhone. When I got the Apple EarPods USB-C, my mind went back to that period. These wired earbuds may no longer fit your iPod, but thanks to their USB-C connector, they’ll work with almost any modern phone, Apple or not. But do these buds simply open a window into the past, or do they create an intense sonic experience in their own right?
Well, to find out, let’s start with sound quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you won’t get a higher level of performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they’re only $19 / £19 / AU$29. But they still provide adequate audio in most situations. I rarely felt that the treble was too harsh, or that the overall sound was tinny—a problem many budget competitors suffer from. Best of all, you get pretty good bass assistance – even if it’s not super clear or capable of extending to extreme depths. Given that they also support Apple’s lossless audio, their general audio quality seems good at first glance, but let’s dig into the details.
I try to listen young blood Produced by Naked and Famous, a critical problem was quickly discovered. The electric guitar that chimes throughout the track is meant to have a clear place in the mix – in the low-mid range, separate from the bass – to keep the track’s strong and full sonic profile. However, it does sound less pronounced and the low-end is a bit muddled – an issue you won’t experience with some products. The best wired earbuds.
Speaking of low-end, you won’t be shocked by the incredibly sharp quality. For example, I have played but it’s a good idea Written by Pino D’Angiò, the signature, funky bassline is uncharacteristically muddy. This turbidity almost suffocates D’Angiò’s smooth, deep voice, confusing the soundstage. Still, actual bass levels are respectable – for some ultra-cheap wired headphones, you get a fair amount of low-end heft, even if the clarity isn’t the greatest. But you won’t get delicious double bass. I try to listen The boys are back in town Created by Yung Gravy, although the bass is audible, it lacks a heart-pounding roar.
The lack of bite of the treble element is also obvious. It’s raining again The high notes by Solji and the vocals – while avoiding the wear and tear caused by some cheap buds – failed to live up to their grand, awe-inspiring potential, sounding slightly dull and restrained.
However, the thing that I feel significantly degrades the listening experience actually has nothing to do with the audio quality. That’s right: I’m talking about the Apple EarPods USB-C fit. These earbuds don’t have ear tips, so they don’t provide a proper seal. This loose fit means the sound isn’t fully focused, and it sometimes feels like the headphones are falling out of your ears. This can be very frustrating when you’re on the road. I found myself readjusting often to get a more comfortable feel, which wasn’t to my liking. It’s worth noting, though, that some people may find wearing headphones with earbuds uncomfortable for extended periods of time, so your impression of the fit will vary based on personal preference.
One less controversial drawback of the EarPods’ relatively loose fit is that it allows a lot of external noise to filter through. Likewise, the lack of earbuds removes the usual layer of passive protection, so I often heard cars whizzing by while my colleagues were talking in the office or taking a walk. If keeping the wider world out is a priority, I’d just recommend not grabbing these – there are better wired options for isolating noise, like Sound Magic E80D Or cheap wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, e.g. Earphone Air Pro 3.
But on the plus side, this is a very elegant pair of wired headphones – in fact, many budget rivals don’t even come close in terms of style. At 1.1 ounces/30 grams, they’re a bit heavier than many competitors, but they don’t feel heavy or uncomfortable to wear for long listening sessions. The drive is encased in a classic white gloss casing that Apple fans will be accustomed to. The cable is also slim and rounded, and isn’t too bad in terms of cable noise – it’s still noticeable, but it’s not overwhelming either. The USB-C connector here is also very compact and doesn’t get in the way when I’m holding the phone.
Finally, the included controller is stylish and a good size, although it does sit a little too close to my cheek – it would be perfect if it were a little further away from the wires. It includes volume and play/pause controls for music and taking calls, as well as a microphone. In terms of quality, the microphone is pretty standard. Vocals were fairly clear during recordings and calls, although there was some noticeable static in the background – typical of budget headphones and even some not-so-cheap ones.
So, at the end of the day, where do I stand on Apple EarPods USB-C? Do they provide me with a fun, nostalgic ride? Of course, in my opinion, they still have Apple’s signature charm, sleek looks, and minimalist design, and look good wired. But am I impressed with their sound quality? Well, not exactly. The soundstage is a bit cluttered, with instruments often unable to find a clear position to play. But having said that, there’s not a lot of screeching or unpleasantly aggressive treble with a lot of cheap wired headphones. Overall, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty reliable considering their low price, if you can get around their lack of earbuds.
Apple EarPods USB-C review: Price and release date
- US$19/£19/AU$29
- Launch in 2023
Released in 2023, Apple EarPods USB-C is the tech giant’s debut in the wired USB-C space. One of the most attractive things about these buds is their ultra-low price. They’re priced at just $19 / £19 / AU$29 – cheaper than many of the competition, or cheaper. You can only get them in one colour, white, but that’s not a problem in my book as the smooth, bright look suits them perfectly.
Apple EarPods USB-C review: Specs
| driver | dynamic |
| weight | 1.1oz/30g |
| frequency range | 20Hz-20KHz |
| Waterproof level | Unspecified |
Should you buy Apple EarPods USB-C?
| property | notes | grade |
|---|---|---|
| feature | Attractive slim controller with solid microphone but lacks noise isolation. | 3.5/5 |
| sound quality | The audio is adequate and not too tinny, but may lack separation and clarity. | 3.5/5 |
| design | Very elegant minimalist design, although it will be too baggy for many people. | 3.5/5 |
| value | The overall quality may not be top-notch, but these ultra-low prices are worth it. | 4.5/5 |
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Apple EarPods USB-C review: Still something to consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Apple EarPods USB-C | Skull Candy Set USB-C | Sound Magic E80D |
| price | US$19/£19/AU$29 | US$31.99/£29.99 (approximately AU$50) | US$44/£39.98/AU$66 |
| driver | dynamic | 9mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic |
| weight | 1.1 oz/30g | 0.53 oz/15g | 0.56 oz/16 g |
| frequency range | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Waterproof level | Unspecified | IPX4 | Unspecified |
Apple EarPods USB-C review: How I tested it
- Tested for a week
- Use in the office, at home and on walks
- Listen on Apple Music and Tidal
I spent a week testing the Apple EarPods USB-C. I use them when using Apple Music iphone 16 and tides Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I also play music on Spotify and watch video content via Youtube. I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home, and while walking near busy roads.
When listening to music, I played tracks from TechRadar’s test playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – although I also spent a few hours playing hits from my personal music library. When the time comes, I’ll compare these headphones to the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C to better evaluate audio quality, comfort, and design elements.
- First review: November 2024
- Read more about How we test
