It’s been Nearly eight years since Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone. Yes, you can get excellent wireless earbuds nowadays, but maybe you prefer plugging in or you don’t want to think about charging your headphones. The joy of the 3.5-mm headphone connector is that it’s one of the few universal standards left.
You can use any pair of corded headphones—no need to worry about whether they’re Lightning or USB-C or whether the connectivity will blip in and out. No batteries to charge, no dongles to attach, and no earbuds to lose (or earbud cases to run through the washing machine). There are times when Bluetooth is preferable, but it’s nice to have the option. As WIRED’s smartphone reviewer, I go through handsets big and small, cheap and expensive—these are the best with the venerable port. Read our Best Android Phones, Best iPhones, and Best Cheap Phones guides for more.
Updated June 2024: We’ve added the Moto G Stylus 5G 2024 and HMD Vibe.
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