Apple was generous enough to include a headphone adapter with the iPhone 7 when it killed the headphone jack. But two years later, it stopped including the invaluable adapter in the box with its newer iPhones.

If you still want to use 3.5mm headphones on your iPhone, you can pick up the original adapter or a more durable alternative from other brands. These adapters bring back the 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing for a simple and no-frills listening experience.

Here are the best iPhone headphone adapters available today.

The Belkin 3.5 mm Audio + Charge Cable RockStar is the best iPhone adapter for headphones and charging. It has a 3.5mm aux port for connecting wired headphones and speakers to your iPhone, as well as a Lightning connector that lets you charge your phone at the same time.

It allows fast charging of up to 12W, which is fast enough to give you plenty of juice in a few minutes. It also fully supports remote audio controls, so you can play, pause, or adjust the volume on headphones with in-line controls.

The 3.5 mm Audio + Charge Cable RockStar will cost you more than the official Apple headphone adapter, but the extra money gives you charging compatibility and better build quality that will last you a lot longer.

Key Features
  • Lightning and 3.5mm ports
  • 12W pass-through charging
  • Supports data syncing
  • MFi certified
Specifications
  • Brand: Belkin
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack, Lightning
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • Charge and listen to music at the same time
  • Works for phone calls and remote music control
  • Officially certified for compatibility and safety
Cons
  • Expensive for an adapter
Buy This Product
Belkin 3.5 mm Audio + Charge RockStar

The Amazon Basics Lightning To 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter is a more durable alternative that outlasts many of the cheaper headphone adapters. It has a little thicker cable and a strain relief design that prevents damage from bends, pulls, and everyday use.

The adapter is MFi certified by Apple for compatibility with the iPhone and iPads with a Lightning connector. It allows high-quality and crisp audio passthrough along with remote music controls. In addition, the smaller cable makes it easy to throw the adapter in your pocket or bag to use it while on the go.

Key Features
  • MFi certified
  • Thick cable and reinforced connectors
  • Shorter cable
Specifications
  • Brand: Amazon Basics
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • Compact, durable design
  • Officially certified for compatibility
  • Allows mic and music control passthrough
Cons
  • Only available in black
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Amazon Basics Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The Apple Lightning To 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter is still the best option for most people. It's the adapter that was included with the iPhone 7 when Apple tossed the headphone jack.

It undercuts the pricing of most third-party offerings while delivering excellent sound quality and full compatibility with all iPhone models.

However, the thin cable and flimsy connectors mean it's not the most durable, but it should last a long while if you don't bend it pretty often. It offers pass-through support for music control, and you can even answer phone calls on your headphones.

Key Features
  • Original Apple product
  • Built-in DAC
  • Music control and microphone pass-through
Specifications
  • Brand: Apple
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • Affordable
  • Fully compatible with all Lightning devices
  • Great sound quality
Cons
  • Not durable
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Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter from UGREEN is another excellent iPhone aux adapter that focuses on durability. It combines a braided cable and aluminum construction into one solid adapter that can withstand fraying and damage caused by bending and folding the adapter.

It's one of the best options if you're looking for something that will last longer. It delivers a sonic masterpiece when connected to a good pair of wired headphones and supports in-line music controls and microphones for calls and recording.

To top it all off, the UGREEN adapter is MFi certified by Apple for flawless compatibility with the iPhone.

Key Features
  • Braided cable
  • MFi certification
  • Supports microphones and in-line headphone controls
Specifications
  • Brand: UGREEN
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • Braided for durability
  • Excellent sound quality
  • Certified by Apple for compatibility
Cons
  • Could be cheaper
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UGREEN Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Adapter

The Anker 3.5mm Audio Adapter with Lightning Connector doesn't offer anything fancy, but it is a solid solution for connecting 3.5mm headphones to your iPhone. Anker designed this adapter to withstand more than 12,000 bends, so it will last just as long as most braided options.

The adapter is available in black or white, and both options are MFi certified. It also lets you use the play, skip, and volume control buttons as well as the mic for phone calls when you connect a headset.

With Anker's reliability and official Apple certification, the adapter works right away with the iPhone without any compatibility or audio quality issues.

Key Features
  • MFi certified
  • Supports volume control and mic
  • Available in black or white
  • 12,000 bend lifespan
Specifications
  • Brand: Anker
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • High-quality audio
  • Flawless compatibility with iPhone
  • Solid and durable build quality
Cons
  • Expensive
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Anker 3.5mm Audio Adapter with Lightning Connector

The MOOU Lightning To 3.5mm Adapter stands out from the rest of the adapters on our list with a unique right-angle design. The design allows the adapter to sit flush against the bottom of the phone without protruding too much like other adapters. This makes it super compact and lets you easily use the phone in both portrait and landscape modes.

The adapter is small with a metallic unibody resistant to bending and fraying. It even has a small keyring, so you can attach it to your keys to listen to music just about anywhere. There's no noticeable loss in sound quality, and the adapter lets you use your headphones' in-line controls and microphone for calls.

Key Features
  • Right-angled design with an integrated ring
  • MFi certification for compatibility
  • Supports audio controls and mic
Specifications
  • Brand: MOOU
  • Input: Lightning
  • Output: 3.5mm Audio Jack
  • Cable Included: No
Pros
  • Compact and portable design
  • Lossless audio quality
  • Durable
Cons
  • Only available in black
Buy This Product
MOOU Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter

FAQ

Q: Do iPhone Headphone Adapters Affect Quality?

There is a slight sound degradation when using an iPhone headphone adapter compared to connecting a headphone directly to a 3.5mm port.

However, the difference isn't discernable to most people, meaning you'll hardly notice any loss in sound quality when connected to a Lightning to 3.5mm adapter.

Q: Can You Convert Lightning to 3.5mm?

You can convert Lightning to 3.5mm using an adapter, allowing you to connect standard wired headphones to your iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector.

There are many available Lightning to 3.5mm adapters from Apple and other brands, including Belkin and Anker.

Q: Does Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Adapter Have a DAC?

The Apple Lightning to 3.5mm adapter includes a DAC chip that converts digital to analog, allowing you to listen to lossless audio at up to 24-bit resolution. The adapter works well with other wired headphones, not necessarily Apple's, and fully supports in-line controls.