Apple EarPods (3.5mm Headphone Plug)
Comfortable, cheap wired earbuds with a good mic; expect thin bass and little isolation.
The short version
- People with a 3.5mm jack on a laptop, older phone, tablet or Switch
- Anyone who dislikes in ear tips
- Buyers who want a spare pair for calls that never needs charging
- Your phone has no headphone jack
- You want strong bass or noise isolation
- You want earbuds for running or the gym
What owners like
- Comfortable for long sessions since nothing pushes into the ear canal
- Clear call quality from the inline mic
- Simple remote that works well for calls and media
- Low cost and nothing to charge
Common complaints
- Thin bass and rolled off treble compared with sealed earbuds
- Let in outside noise, which is a problem on transit
- Can slip out during brisk exercise
- Cable feels fragile near the plug and the earpieces
- Cable tangles easily
Based on Apple's support documentation, the Amazon listing, a hands on review at Expert Reviews and the Wikipedia summary of critical reception..
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- Nov 2025
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
Apple's wired open fit earbuds with a standard 3.5mm plug and an inline remote and microphone.
- Plugs into any standard 3.5mm headphone jack with no pairing or charging
- Inline remote handles playback, calls and volume
- Built in microphone for calls
- Contoured shell rests in the outer ear instead of sealing the canal
A cheap, simple pick for anyone with a 3.5mm jack who wants comfortable earbuds with a reliable call mic and no charging. The trade-offs are light bass, almost no noise isolation, a loose fit during exercise and a thin cable that can wear at the ends.
How it compares
Specs
- Connector
- 3.5mm headphone plug
- Type
- Wired, open fit earbuds with no silicone or foam tips
- Controls
- Inline remote for music, calls and volume, with built in mic
- Fit
- One size, contoured asymmetrical shell
- Compatibility
- iPhone, iPad and iPod models with a 3.5mm jack, plus other devices with a standard 3.5mm jack
- Other versions
- Also sold with Lightning and USB-C connectors
Worth knowing
- Apple notes volume or playback control may not work on some iPod models.
Questions
Do Apple EarPods with 3.5mm plug work with Android phones?
Apple says they work with other products that have a standard 3.5mm jack. Audio works; remote functions can vary by device.
Will they work with an iPhone with no headphone jack?
Not directly. Use the Lightning or USB-C EarPods instead, or an adapter.
Do EarPods block outside noise?
Very little. They are an open fit design that sits in the outer ear rather than sealing the canal.
Are EarPods good for calls?
Expert Reviews rated the inline mic's call quality highly.
Does the remote work with every iPod?
Apple notes volume or playback control might not work on some iPod models.
Sources
- Apple Support: Use Apple wired headphones
- Amazon.com: Apple EarPods Headphones with 3.5mm Plug
- Expert Reviews: Apple EarPods review
- Wikipedia: EarPods
Researched 2026-10-02. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.
