It’s almost over six years since Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone. Yes, you can get excellent wireless earbuds these days, but you may prefer to plug in, or simply don’t want to think about charging your headphones. The nice thing about the 3.5mm headphone jack is that it’s one of the few truly universal standards left.
You can use just about any wired headset – you don’t have to worry about whether it’s Lightning or USB-C or whether the connectivity is going in and out. No batteries to charge, no dongles to attach, no earbuds to lose. There are times when Bluetooth is preferable, but it’s also nice to at least have the option. After testing dozens of phones, these are the best options with the venerable port. Read our guides to the best Android phones and the best cheap phones for more recommendations.
Updated June 2022: We’ve revised this guide to replace old picks with new ones, such as the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, Sony Xperia 1 IV, and Moto G Stylus 5G 2022.
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