Switching to a phone or laptop without a headphone socket means you need a reliable USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to keep using your favourite wired earphones, headphones, or aux car lead. This guide rounds up three sensible picks for UK buyers and explains what to look for.
Top picks
1. UGREEN USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter - Best Overall
SPP Score: 8.8 / 10 - USB-C to 3.5mm with a Hi-Fi stereo DAC. Our all-round pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 7.6/10 - Build 8.5/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 9.8/10
Fit for this guide: Wired earphones need a working 3.5mm socket back, and this adapter has a DAC UGREEN rates at 24bit/96kHz.
Every pick here is scored out of 10: four marks rate the product and are the same in every guide, and the fifth rates its fit for this guide - how we test and score.
UGREEN is a well-established maker of charging and audio accessories, and this USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is a dependable everyday choice. It carries an analogue headphone signal out to a 3.5mm jack, so it works neatly with wired earphones, headsets, and the aux input in many cars (if you're kitting out the car anyway, our MagSafe car charger guide covers the charging side). The compact in-line design keeps it pocketable and out of the way when plugged in.
Pros
- ✓ Brings a standard 3.5mm headphone output to a USB-C device
- ✓ Works with standard wired headphones, earphones, and aux leads
- ✓ Slim, low-profile design that travels well and stays out of the way
Cons
- ✗ No charging pass-through, so you cannot listen and charge at the same time
- ✗ Compatibility with some manufacturers' ports can vary, so confirm your device is supported
Who it's for: Anyone who wants a fuss-free, well-built adapter for daily use with wired audio gear.
Who it's not for: People who need to charge their device and listen through wired headphones simultaneously.
2. Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter - Best Budget
SPP Score: 8.6 / 10 - The plainest route to a respected DAC. Our value pick.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 7.6/10 - Build 9.4/10 - Value 8.9/10 - Fit 8.9/10
Fit for this guide: An Apple-designed inline DAC in a one-piece moulded dongle returns the headphone jack with nothing to set up.
The budget slot goes to the least glamorous product Apple makes, and it's earned it. This is a one-piece moulded dongle with nothing detachable to work loose and no buttons to break, and Apple's own inline DAC handles the conversion. It's plug-and-play on USB-C iPhones, iPads and Macs, and in practice on most other USB-C phones and laptops too. At this end of the market, it's simply the easiest way to get wired audio back from a converter people actually rate. What you give up is extras: there are no in-line controls, so calls and volume happen on the phone.
Pros
- ✓ Apple's own inline DAC in the simplest possible package
- ✓ One-piece moulded build - nothing detachable, no buttons, nothing to snap
- ✓ Plug-and-play on USB-C iPhones, iPads and Macs
Cons
- ✗ No in-line controls - calls, volume and track skips happen on the phone
- ✗ So small it's easy to lose; it lives on the headphone plug or it disappears
Who it's for: Anyone who wants wired audio back with zero fuss from a name they trust.
Who it's not for: Anyone who wants in-line volume and call controls on the adapter itself.
3. UGREEN Hi-Res DAC USB C to 3.5mm Adapter (32bit/384kHz) - Best Premium
SPP Score: 8.3 / 10 - Hi-Res 32bit/384kHz DAC in a braided aluminium build. Our pick for maximum capability.
Capability 8.5/10 - Versatility 7.6/10 - Build 9.4/10 - Value 8.5/10 - Fit 8.0/10
Fit for this guide: A 32bit/384kHz DAC with mic and in-line control support fits listeners bringing hi-res or lossless sources.
This is the same UGREEN dongle idea as our overall pick with a better converter inside: UGREEN rates this DAC at 32bit/384kHz, up from the 24bit/96kHz it quotes for the standard adapter. With decent wired headphones and hi-res files or a lossless streaming tier, that conversion headroom is what the upgrade buys. Mic and in-line control support is on board for calls, and the braided cable with an aluminium shell is made for a life on a keyring or in a coat pocket.
Pros
- ✓ UGREEN-rated 32bit/384kHz Hi-Res DAC, a clear spec step up over the overall pick
- ✓ Mic and in-line control support, so calls and volume work as they should
- ✓ Braided cable and aluminium shell take daily-carry wear better than bare plastic
Cons
- ✗ With standard streaming quality or basic earphones you may not hear the difference
- ✗ Its braided cable and aluminium shell add bulk next to the slim overall pick
Who it's for: Wired-headphone listeners with hi-res or lossless sources who want the best conversion a dongle this size offers.
Who it's not for: Anyone on standard-quality streams and everyday earbuds - you're unlikely to hear what the extra spec buys, so the overall pick is the smarter spend.
Quick verdict
For most people the UGREEN USB C to 3.5mm Audio Adapter is the standout all-rounder, pairing a slim in-line build with a DAC UGREEN rates at 24bit/96kHz. (The Apple dongle is the sturdier one-piece design; the UGREEN's stated conversion figure and pocketable body keep it our default.) If you just want the jack back with no fuss, the Apple USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter is the value pick. If your headphones and sources can show it, the UGREEN Hi-Res DAC USB C to 3.5mm Adapter (32bit/384kHz) is the spec step up in conversion.
How we chose
We focused on the things that actually matter for a USB-C to aux adapter: genuine USB-C to 3.5mm compatibility, reliable analogue output for wired headphones, compact and durable build, and brand track record for accessory quality. We weighed UK everyday use, from wired earphones to in-car aux inputs, and overall value. Each link opens the live Amazon UK listing, where you can check the compatibility notes for your phone before you buy.
FAQ
Q: Will a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter work with any USB-C phone or laptop? A: Most do, but some devices handle the analogue conversion differently, so it's worth confirming your specific phone or laptop is supported before you buy.
Q: Does the adapter affect sound quality? A: A good adapter passes a clean signal to your headphones; for everyday listening any of these picks should sound clear and consistent. The premium pick's higher-spec DAC only pays off with hi-res sources and capable wired headphones.
Q: Can I charge my device while using one of these adapters? A: These are headphone-only adapters with no charging port, so if you need to charge and listen at the same time you will want a combo adapter that adds a separate USB-C power input.
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