lightning earbuds

Now that Apple has discontinued the last iPhone with a headphone jack, the iPhone SE, it's time to consider third-party Lightning earbuds. The SOUNDOT AF1 FM Headset ($79.89) from Blackloud is a worthy competitor to Apple's cheap EarPods. The SOUNDOT AF1 work with their companion app to deliver two valuable features, namely an audio equalizer and control of a built-in FM receiver. Even when you are away from the internet, you can access music via radio.

I finally embraced Apple's modern phone design, with no headphone jack. I used the headphone jack often, so I was hesitant to move to the newer iPhones without the inherent ability to charge while listening. The opportunity to use wireless charging helped; but for long plane or train rides, which I find myself on too often, you will want a way to listen and charge, via Lightning, simultaneously. Enter the Pioneer Rayz Plus ($129.95–$149.95).