We asked, you told us: USB audio isn’t a dealbreaker

USB-C audio is becoming a practical feature in modern wireless headphones. It enables true lossless playback, offers a fallback when your battery runs low, and gives premium headphones a longer useful lifespan—something more buyers are starting to care about. In short, it’s the modern alternative to the disappearing headphone jack, and some of us here at SoundGuys, including my colleague Christian Thomas, think you shouldn’t buy headphones without it.

But we always want to know what you, the reader, think, so we asked: How important is USB audio to you when buying headphones?

The results

Over 1,400 readers responded to our poll, and the results were mixed:

• 16% said it’s essential, and that they won’t buy headphones without it.
• 21% called it important, and a significant factor in their decision
• 44% said it’s nice to have, but not a dealbreaker
• 20% don’t use wired audio at all

While 37% value USB-C audio enough to factor it into purchasing decisions, the majority (64%) view it as optional or irrelevant. This perhaps explains Sony’s confidence in launching the WH-1000XM6 without USB-C audio—most buyers aren’t there yet. However, economic pressures, improved streaming quality, and disappearing headphone jacks could shift these numbers over time.

The takeaway

USB-C audio in wireless headphones is following the typical adoption curve—early adopters demand it, the middle majority appreciate it, and many remain indifferent. But that could shift as more buyers prioritize longevity, flexibility, and lossless performance, especially in a market where prices are rising and expectations are higher than ever.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 probably won’t suffer significantly from this omission. However, competitors like Sennheiser, JBL, Apple, and JLab, which already include USB-C audio in their flagship headphones, might find themselves ahead of the curve when the market eventually catches up.