This $15 adapter saved my headphones from the trash can

Remember when Apple killed the 3.5mm headphone jack and then everyone else followed suit? I do—and it still pains me to this day. I have wired headphones that I love, and I hated the thought of consigning them to history all because a phone manufacturer thought the 3.5mm interface was outdated. Doubly so with it coming from Apple, a company for whom I’ve never had much fondness.

I eventually had to get with the times and upgrade my phone to one without an audio jack, but I kept my beloved wired headphones. I tried going wireless with a set of Pixel Buds, but they weren’t for me—they were uncomfortable and I didn’t like relying on Bluetooth, which could be finicky and sometimes drained my phone’s battery.

Dave Parrack / Foundry

Fortunately, I found a nifty little accessory that let me keep using my wired headphones with my phone: this cheap USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter that I’ve never once regretted buying. It saved my headphones.

This adapter is nothing more than a short lead with a USB-C connector on one end and a 3.5mm audio jack on the other. Most varieties boast a 24-bit DAC chip in the USB-C end, promising clear sound regardless of what you’re listening to. The better brands cost a little more, but they’re built with stronger cords that are less likely to get damaged. That’s why I went with the Anker one. I trust Anker more than the no-name brands.

The upshot of buying this adapter? I can actually enjoy listening to music on my phone again. Those few weeks of messing around with Bluetooth earbuds weren’t fun in the slightest, and in this particular case, I prefer to stick with what I know rather than twist with newfangled alternatives.

Dave Parrack / Foundry

With my little adapter saving my wired headphones from the trash, I can once again get superb sound quality at louder volumes. And given that I love my headphones for their sound profile—that’s why it was so hard for me to give them up in the first place—this is the best result in a world where headphone jacks on phones are near extinct.

I’ve been using my Anker USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter for a while now, and it will likely outlast my phone. But with it being widely compatible with any phone that has a USB-C port, I’m happy knowing that I can continue using my own audio equipment regardless of what handset I buy next. That’s a phenomenal guarantee for a simple $15 purchase.