Apple EarPods (USB-C)
Are the EarPods (USB-C) right for you?
The EarPods (USB-C) are Apple's wired earbuds, with a USB‑C plug on the end of the cable.
Best for
- People with a USB‑C iPhone, iPad or Mac who want call and playback buttons on the cable.
- Anyone who'd rather plug in than charge or pair.
Skip if
- You want strong bass, or outside noise kept out. Reviewers found the bass weak or muddy, and with no ear tips there's nothing to seal your ear.
- Your ears don't suit Apple's shape. Reviewers found the fit loose without tips, and one had them fall out during physical activity.
Want outside noise kept out? That's what noise-cancelling earbuds are for, and you can get it on a wire: see Can Wired Headphones Have Noise Cancelling? What to Buy.
Want to see them next to a keyboard and a mouse? Try them on the QuickDesker board and build a whole desk setup around them.
What do they cost, and what should you check first?
Prices change, so check the current one before you buy. The plug is USB‑C, so it won't fit a 3.5 mm headphone jack or a Lightning port. Apple lists them for Mac models with USB‑C running macOS Monterey 12.6 or later, iPad models with USB‑C running iPadOS 16.4 or later, and iPhone models with USB‑C running iOS 17 or later.
The remote on the cable adjusts the volume, controls music and video, and answers or ends calls, Apple says. Apple's box list is one line: the EarPods with their USB‑C connector. Apple also describes them as having protection from sweat and water.
What changes when your earbuds plug into USB‑C?
Wired earbuds like these take their power and their sound from the port, so there's no battery to charge and nothing to pair. The catch is the port itself. On a phone with one USB‑C port, you can't charge it by cable and listen through these at the same time without an adapter. Wireless earbuds drop the cable, though they bring back a battery to charge.
What do reviewers say?
Fit is the big one. Apple says the design is defined by the geometry of the ear, and reviewers note there are no ear tips to adjust it. One review found them insecure unless your ears match Apple's shape; another put its fit problems down to the missing tips.
On sound, the reviews and Apple part ways. Apple promises "deep, rich bass tones". One review found a distinct lack of bass; another called it muddy, and found outside noise seeped straight in.
Full specifications
| How it is worn | earbud-style headphones |
|---|---|
| Connections | USB‑C |
| Water resistance | Protection from sweat and water |
| In the box | EarPods with USB-C Connector |
Apple's EarPods (USB-C) product page, support page and user guide don't list active noise cancelling or a weight.
Specifications from Apple's EarPods (USB-C) product page, support page and user guide, read 17 Sep 2026.