How to choose 3.5mm audio cables and adapters (2024)

Different types of 3.5mm connections

You can tell a lot about male 3.5mm plugs just from their appearance. They'll have one, two, or three black bands separating connections on the metal shaft.

TRS (aka "stereo mini") is the most common type of 3.5mm connection. The tip of a TRS plug is for the left channel signal. The ring is for the right channel. And the sleeve is for the ground wire.

TRRS connections are used in headsets or earbuds that include an inline controller and a built-in mic. The tip is for the left channel, and the first ring is for the right channel. The second ring is for the ground, and the sleeve is for a microphone channel.

TS (aka "mono mini") plugs have a tip for the audio signal and a sleeve for the ground. 3.5mm TS cables are often used for 12-volt trigger connections between audio components.

3.5mm headphone inputs

When you shop for 3.5mm cables and adapters, be sure you get the right plug for the jack you're connecting to.

How do you know which type of 3.5mm jack you have? Computers, tablets, and other devices often identify the connection with a pictogram.

The headphone jacks on most laptops, portable high-res music players, and other devices will work with both TRS and TRRS connectors. If you plug headphones with a TRS connection into your laptop, you won’t have a microphone for voice calls, but you’ll hear audio just fine.

3.5mm headphone adapters

Most headphones have either 1/4" or 3.5mm plugs. The same goes for headphone output jacks on integrated amps, receivers, headphone amps, and other components.

If your plug doesn't match your jack, you can make the right connection with a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter or the other way around.

Adapters for smartphones without a 3.5mm output

Most newer phones don't have 3.5mm outputs, but you can get adapters for a traditional wired connection.

If your Android device doesn’t have a 3.5mm out, get a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter like this USB-C dongle, which you can use for headphones or connection to a stereo system.

If you have an iPhone with a Lightning connector, you'll need a Lightning to 3.5mm cable or adapter like these from Belkin.

3.5mm headphone splitters

Headphone Y-adapters split a headphone signal from one to two. That's great if you and a friend want to listen to the same music.

3.5mm headphone extension cables

You can give yourself some freedom from whatever component or device you're plugged into with a headphone extension cable.

Some models, like these from Pangea, feature high-quality conductors and a durable woven nylon jacket. That's great if you want a cable that lays flat and blends with your decor.

3.5mm aux connections for home and car stereo gear

A wired aux connection usually sounds clearer and louder than a Bluetooth signal. Having the right cable or adapter in your car or listening room makes it easy to plug in and start playing music whenever you want.

Connecting your phone to home or car stereo with 3.5mm aux input

If your device has a 3.5mm output, just get a 3.5mm aux cable. You can get them in different lengths. Premium cables like those from AudioQuest have robust shielding and use high-quality copper conductors and connectors, for clear, interference-free sound.

Connecting to home hi-fi systems

You can connect and play music from a smartphone, tablet, computer or other player with a 3.5mm output to your home stereo hi-fi system or any sound system that has an RCA input. If you've already got a decent RCA cable, this adapter will do the trick.

3.5mm to RCA cables come in different lengths. Audiophile-grade models like the AudioQuest Evergreen have the same quality construction as their aux cable siblings, just with a pair of male RCA connectors on one end.

Connecting to pro audio gear

Pretty much all of the cables and adapters we've talked about above will work in pro live and studio recording applications.

You can connect your phone, portable high-res music player, computer, or other device with a 3.5mm output to a small PA system to do things like jam to your favorite playlist at a birthday or wedding party.

But different PA systems have different types of inputs. Some even have dual mono inputs instead of a single stereo input. Never fear. You can get breakout adapters and cables that will let you connect your device to pretty much any input.

3.5mm to RJ45 adapter for custom audio installations

If you want a wired connection to play music from your phone, tablet, computer, or other device to an amp or receiver that's a long distance away (up to 150 feet), you can use CAT-5 or CAT-6 Ethernet cable with one of these 3.5mm to RJ45 adapters on each end. These adapters are often used in commercial audio systems or whole-house audio systems. If you have a building with a wired network, you can put the audio source component in one room and the amplifiers in another.

Still have questions?

Need help choosing audio cables and adapters? Contact one of Crutchfield’s expert Advisors.

Want to learn more about audio cables, jacks, and plugs? Read our A/V cables buying guide and our A/V connections glossary.