'Sign of the times': Panasonic launches a USB-C version of its cheap wired earbuds, because who has a headphone jack any more?

Date:
Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:37:50 +0000

Description:
Panasonic has unveiled the ErgoFit In-Ears are coming in a new USB-C form. Goodbye, 3.5mm.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Panasonic unveils new version of very affordable ErgoFit in-ear buds New
model ditches 3.5mm for USB-C Otherwise, same buds Panasonic has just announced a new model of its low-priced ErgoFit In-Ear wired earbuds, affordable and colorful in-ears that have been on the market for a few years now, and are design for everything from working out to commuting. The new offerings seem to retain the same drivers and design, but make one crucial change.

Now, the Panasonic ErgoFit can be bought with a USB-C connector, not just
with the 3.5mm flavor that the 'original' version used. You can tell the new model by its suffix "(USB-C Compatible)", but otherwise, online listings look similar. The new earbuds cost $24.99 (about 20, AU$40), a slight increase
over the past models which are listed online between $8 and $20. At the moment, they sell in white, black and blue; no bright orange or red or any of the other vibrant colorways which the 3.5mm options come in. Article
continues below You may like Sennheiser's cheap new USB-C headphones bring Hi-Res Audio everywhere Wired earbuds are trendy right now, and this budget set from Sennheiser is all you need Sennheiser CX 80U review: a brilliant
pair of budget-friendly wired earbuds

They have a 3.6-foot cable, three in-box ear tip sizes, and playback buttons on the cable. Who has a headphone jack any more? This isn't Panasonic's first pair of wired USB-C in-ears, but the reason it's announcing the spin on its popular buds is likely due to the slight comeback wired earbuds seem to be making (in the public eye, at least I've yet to see any sales figures make such an argument).

While 3.5mm jacks are the traditional connector of personal audio, there's a problem: how many phones have headphone jacks any more? A brief handful each year, and rarely from the big brands. If you want wired audio, you generally need to buy an an adapter, or go USB-C in the first place.

That's why USB-C headphones make sense: you can actually use them on your smartphone (and tablet, laptop, PC; whatever has a USB-C port). It's a sad sign of the times, but USB-C is replacing 4.4mm as the connector of choice
for non-audiophiles (and audiophiles probably aren't buying $25 earbuds anyway). Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

I like my wired audio, but I'll admit that I barely use 3.5mm. Most of the tech I test is Bluetooth, my keyboard/guitar/amp set-up is 6.3mm, and my PC and bookshelf speakers are both (gasp) USB-C. The only 3.5mm device I use
with any regularity is a lapel mic, which requires an adapter to use on anything.

Panasonic is, of course, still selling its 3.5mm ErgoFits, and there are
still plenty of people still using this kind of connector. Laptops and the best portable music players still use them, and not all laptops and PCs have USB-C (or, at least, ports to spare). But increasingly, we'll see new
releases among the best wired earbuds using USB-C, at least as an option. The best music players for all budgets Our top picks, based on real-world testing and comparisons

Read our full guide to the best hi-res music players 1. Best overall: Activo P1 2. Best budget hi-res player: Fiio JM21 3. Best step-up hi-res player: Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/earbuds-airpods/sign-of-the-times-panasonic-la unches-a-usb-c-version-of-its-cheap-wired-earbuds-because-who-has-a-headphone- jack-any-more


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