5 Types Of Headphone Jacks

Last Updated on June 19, 2021 by

When listening to music, the quality of sound is very important. One way that you can enhance the experience is by using a different type of headphone jack. There are many different types available on the market today, so it may be hard to know which one will work best for your needs. In this article, we will discuss 5 different types of headphone jacks and what they offer in terms of audio quality.

1. Lightning Jack audio jack

2.  Type-C

3. 3.5 mm mini-jack

4. 6.3 mm jack

5. USB audio jack

Lightning Jack Audio Jack

The lightning jack is a newer type of headphone jack that allows you to charge your device at the same time as listening. There are two main types:

Lightning EarPods With Extra Lightning Cable

This type of headphone jack is available with the newest Apple devices. It will have a lightning light on it and are considered to be premium headphones.

Lightning EarPods Without Extra Lightning Cable

These types of ear pods can only charge your device but cannot connect through them at the same time. They do not come standard with an iPhone or any other newer version of Apple products, so you may need to purchase separately if you prefer this sound quality over that from wireless Bluetooth technology.

Apple Airpods Wireless Headphones

These new, popular wireless headphones by Apple are not just for listening to music. They also have a built-in microphone and access controls so you can talk on the phone or receive notifications without having to reach for your device in your bag or pocket.

Pros

1. Lightning Jack audio jack is an innovative product

2. The design of the Lightning Jack audio jack makes it easy to plugin and use

3. It’s a sleek-looking device that will look great on any desk or countertop

4. The Lightning Jack audio jack has a retractable cord for convenience 

5. This product can be used with all Apple products, including iPhones, iPods, iPods, and Macs

6. You can purchase this product at your local electronics store or online through Amazon

Cons

1. Lightning Jack audio jack is expensive

2. It can be hard to find a compatible cable for your device

3. The sound quality isn’t as good as other types of cables, such as USB-C or 3.5mm headphone jacks

4. You need to have an iPhone 7 or newer in order to use the Lightning Jack audio jack 

5. There are no adapters available so you can connect your old devices that don’t have a lightning port 

6. You must remove the case if you want to charge and listen at the same time because there’s only one port on these new phones

Micro Jack 2.5mm

Type E is a two-pronged plug that can be used for either the left or right channel depending on how it’s inserted and has identical compatibility to Type-A.

The next jack type, usually referred to as Micro Jacks are also one of three different types of jacks that allow audio output from portable devices such as smartphones, tablets or MP players without needing any adapters.

Micro Jacks come in a variety of sizes: there’s the older standard size at 12 mm (0.47 inches) diameter with an overall length between 11 and 13 mm (less than 0.06 inch). There’s then the newer slim variant measuring just around eight millimetres across while retaining its predecessor’s length all at 14-16 mm (0.55 inches).

A newer, slimmer variant is also available measuring just around eight millimetres across while retaining its predecessor’s length all at 14-16 mm (less than 0.06 inch).

Pros

1. Micro jack 2.5mm Pros are a great way to make the most of your laptop’s audio port

2. They’re compatible with all laptops and smartphones, including Apple products

3. They offer excellent sound quality for both music and video playback

4. The cable is braided which makes it more durable than other cables on the market 

5. It has an in-line remote that provides easy control over volume as well as play/pause functionality 

6. You can purchase them in multiple colours to match your device or personality.

Cons

1. The 2.5mm jack is a new standard that has not been widely adopted

2. There are many devices with 3.5mm jacks, and it can be difficult to find adapters 

3. Plugging in headphones or earbuds into the 2.5mm jack can be tricky because of its small size 

4. It’s hard to plug in your phone charger without blocking the headphone port on your device 

5) You’re unable to use a microphone with this type of jack (e-g for gaming)

6) Some devices don’t have an adapter available and you’ll need to buy a whole new one if you want compatibility

3.5 mm Mini-Jack (Standard Size)

Headsets and earbuds that use a standard mini (or “miniature”) jack connector are by far the most common type.

The older, larger version of these plugs measure around 12 mm long and require an adapter for newer devices with smaller jacks. The new slim variant is available in three different sizes: Standard at 0.47 inches; Slim measuring just less than half as wide at 0.24 inches; or Goldilocks which falls somewhere between the two measurements at 0.35 inches across while retaining its predecessor’s length all at about 14 to 16 mm (.55 inch).

Some people refer to this plug as simply ‘mini’, but it can also be called a ‘Type A’.

Apple’s iPhone and iPad use this type of jack, as do various models by HTC, Motorola, Samsung.

The Square card reader also uses the standard mini plug to transmit audio from its built-in microphone to any headphone or speaker with a headphone jack input.

This is probably the most common kind of connector for headphones you can find on the market today due to it being used across so many different phone types and music players over time (including MPCs and CDJs).

Pros

1. The 6.3mm jack is smaller and lighter than the 3.5 mm jack

2. You can plug it into your phone, tablet, laptop or any other device with a headphone jack

3. It’s more durable than the 3.5 mm jack – you won’t need to worry about breaking it when it falls out of your pocket or backpack

4. The sound quality is better because there’s less interference from ambient noise (due to its size) 

5. There are no adapters needed for this type of connection so you don’t have to carry around an extra piece of hardware in your bag or pocket 

6. It doesn’t matter which way you insert the plug – this means that there’s no chance that you’ll break off one side of the connector by inserting it incorrectly

Cons

1. The size is too small for most headphones

2. It’s not compatible with many devices, including the iPhone 7

3. Most phones don’t have a headphone jack anymore

4. You’re going to need an adapter if you want to use your old headphones

5. There are no advantages that make this change worth it 

6. Some people think it’s just another way Apple can control what you do with your phone and how much money they make from each device sold

USB Audio Jack

The USB Audio jack is becoming more and more popular as a headphone connector due to its versatility. The most obvious advantage would be that it’s the standard for all computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones etc., so you can use these headphones with any of those devices without worrying about connecting different cords to different jacks on your audio player or computer every time you want to listen.

The only downside is that this type doesn’t come in many styles yet because they’re still relatively new. If you’re looking for an upgrade now then this might not be what’s available at your local electronics store but if you wait a few months there will likely be some newer models coming out soon enough!

Pros

1. The USB audio jack is small and lightweight

2. It can be used with a variety of devices, from desktop computers to laptops

3. You don’t need special drivers or software to use it

4. There are no wires involved – just plug in the USB cable and you’re set! 

5. It’s compatible with both Macs and PCs so there’s no need to worry about compatibility issues

6. The sound quality is excellent because of its digital conversion process

Cons

1. Requires a USB port

2. Needs the power to run

3. Needs an audio adapter for non-USB devices

4. Audio quality is not as good as high-end DACs and amps

5. Can be expensive to purchase the right equipment

Type-C

This type of headphone jack is the newest addition to the list. Specifically, it’s called a Type-C connector and was originally developed as part of USB specifications for use in laptops. As we all know, this technology has become more popular than ever recently so now they’re being included on smartphones too!

The good thing about these types is that they are designed with future-proofing in mind. They can be used either way up which means you never need to worry if your cords get tangled or run out of space (because cord management can be such a hassle). The downside though is that there aren’t many options yet because most companies haven’t adapted their products yet: just some newer models from Samsung and Apple have been released with this type of connector.

Pros

1. Type-C is reversible

2. Type-C can be plugged in either way, so there’s no need to worry about the orientation of the plug

3. You don’t have to worry about not being able to find a cable or adapter that fits your device anymore

4. The cables are thinner and more durable than other cords on the market today

5. There are many different adapters for all types of devices available on Amazon 

6. It’s designed with data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, which means you can charge your laptop quickly and efficiently without sacrificing battery life

Cons

1. Type-C cables are not as common, so you’ll need to go out of your way to find one

2. The cable is more expensive than regular USB cables

3. You can’t charge a laptop while using it

4. It’s possible for the connector to bend or break if bent too much

5. If you’re charging from a power bank, it takes longer because of the higher voltage output 

6. There is no universal charger that works with every device (Type-A and Type-B)

What Type Of Headphone Jack Do I Currently Use?

Locate the hole that connects to an input port at the bottom of your earbuds, near where they come out from under your chin when worn. If it has a plus sign (+) within it, then these are considered standard size plugs which means they will work with most devices including newer iPhones and iPads. However, if there is no symbol in this area then consider looking up what kind of plug it is specifically before purchasing any new headphones or earbuds.

If you have a Type A plug with two rectangular prongs then your device is compatible with most HPs, BlackBerry devices, and older iPhones.

Type B plugs are typically used for Sony products such as the Walkman series of MP players and digital cameras. They also work for recent Blackberry models and new iPads including iPad Pro which do not require any adapters to use them.

Types C (combo) and D (micro) both allow different types of connections to be made using one single jack connector by combining either three rings that fit into slots on the connector housing or four rings that connect in circular patterns around it depending on what type they are respectively while being functionally similar at the same time.