Best Headphone Splitter – 5 Top Picks From Reliable Brands

A headphone splitter is one of the most versatile audio accessories I’ve come across. It’s pocket-sized, inexpensive, and lets me connect two (or more) headphones to a single sound source for sharing music, movies, or games with my family and friends. Thus, you should also have one. But since all splitters aren’t made equal, it’s a good idea to pay attention to a few things, in order to get the best headphone splitter out there. 

Continue reading this article as I discuss every important thing related to this small device, including detailed reviews of the top 5 models as recommended by experts and rated by customers. 

So, let’s start. 

Key Takeaways

• Headphone splitters split a single audio signal into multiple signals.
• Doing so makes two or more people listen to the same audio, with their own set of headphones. 
• There are two main categories of splitters – dual and multi. While the former lets you connect a maximum of two headphones, the latter accepts multiple. 

How to Choose a Headphone Splitter? 

Choosing a headphone splitter is fairly simple. Below are some important things you must take care of. 

Purpose

The first thing to consider is how many sets of headphones you plan to use with your splitter. While dual splitters are the most common, I suggest a multi-splitter as it’ll let you connect more than two pairs of headphones. And it doesn’t cost much! 

Connector Material

For the connector material, both gold and nickel-plated ones work for me. But, I’m more inclined towards splitters with gold connectors due to their better electrical conductivity and protection against corrosion. 

This way, you don’t have to fret about sound choppiness or wear & tear. 

Audio Mixing

This is a kind of additional feature, but worth having! It helps you control the bass, treble, and volume of your headphones from the connector itself. For example, the 5-jack Belkin Rockstar multi-splitter is one of my favorites when it comes to audio mixing. 

Cable Length 

There’s nothing called a perfect cable length. While a longer cable means more freedom of movement, it’ll often get tangled and take more space inside your bag or pocket. 

Conversely, a shorter cable will limit your movement, but it won’t get tangled or eat up much space. Hence, which cable length is ideal for you is completely your preference. 

Note: For the cable quality, look for ones with a double shield, as it provides better isolation from static noises around you. 

Warranty

Most headphone splitters aren’t expensive, with a few costing less than a slice of pizza at Times Square! Still, it’s better to buy a product with at least some warranty, say, a year, to avoid unnecessary spending in the future. 

Additional Features

Some additional features that are worth the money are a built-in amplifier, in-line microphone, LED indicator lights, app integrations, etc.

Weigh the importance of these extra features and how they suit you before making the purchase decision.

How Do Headphones Splitters Work?

A headphone splitter has a very straightforward working principle. It takes an audio signal from a single source, say, you’re connecting the headphones to a TV, and “splits” it into two or more signals.

How can it do so? It contains a circuit that replicates the audio signal from the source and sends identical copies to each connected pair of headphones.

This makes two or more people listen to the same audio, from their own set of headphones. 

Headphone splitters come in handy in a variety of situations, such as:

• Sharing music with your friend(s)
• Watching a movie with a group
• Playing video games with a friend
• Recording audio from two different sources simultaneously, say voiceovers, an interview, etc. 

Related: Best HDMI Splitter: 8 Reliable Options in 2023

What Is the Best Brand for a Headphone Splitter? 

The market of headphone splitters is flooded with numerous models from different brands. While this gives you enough options to choose from, I know it can also become overwhelming at times. 

Below is a list of the top five headphone splitter makers.

Brand	Price (Avg.)	Connector Material	Design & Comfort	Cable Length
SOLMIMI	$	Gold-plated	Sleek & stylish	Long
INVERSE Net	$$$	Nickel-plated	Premium build	Short
Belkin	$$	Nickel-plated	Lightweight	Short
UGREEN	$$	Gold-plated	Comfortable & durable	Long
Syncwire	$	Gold-plated	Stylish	Medium

Related: Ultimate Review Of Best Headphones for Mixing In 2023

5 Best Headphone Splitters – Summary

• Best Overall Headphone Splitter – SOLMIMI Headphone Splitter
• Best Dual Headphone Splitter – INVERSE Net Headphone Splitter
• Best Multi Headphone Splitter – Belkin Rockstar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter
• Best Budget Headphone Splitter – UGREEN Headphone Splitter
• Best Headphone Splitter for Travel – Syncwire Headphone Splitter

5 Best Headphone Splitters – Reviewed 

Now, let’s check out the specific features, pros, and cons of the 5 best headphone splitters. This way, you’ll be able to pick the most suitable product that meets your budget and personal needs.

1. Best Overall Headphone Splitter 

SOLMIMI Headphone Splitter

Specifications

• Connector Type: Auxiliary
• Connector Material: Gold-plated
• Cable Length: 1 ft. 
• Compatibility: Universal
• Weight: 0.88 ounces

The first product on the list is the SOLMIMI Headphone Splitter. It’s one of the most reliable splitters with a best-in-class build and sound quality.

Compatible with all 3.5mm auxiliary ports, the splitter easily plugs into all your regular devices, be it a PC, smartphone, laptop, Xbox, or even Sony’s PlayStations. Hence, no more worries about sharing your favorite audio or movies with your family and friends. 

I’ve so far tried & tested 28+ headphone splitters, but the build quality of this particular product remains unmatched. While the internal wires are made from pure oxygen-free copper, the connectors are finely polished and 24K gold-plated for anti-corrosion. This results in a stable setup between the connected devices, and a premium sound experience.

I have also been using it for quite some time, and its durability speaks volumes. 

Not to forget the matte black metallic shell on the outside that gives you a firm grip on the splitter and goes great with your expensive gadgets. The only thing missing is audio mixing! 

Regarding the cable of the splitter, I found its length quite decent. It measures 1 ft. and, thus, is neither too short nor too long. The cable doesn’t tangle either, due to its nylon braided design. And don’t worry about its strength. SOLMIMI has conducted 15000+ bend tests on this cable to ensure its long lifespan. 

Note: This SOLMIMI Headphone Splitter has a 3.3 ft. cable length option, too. 

Lastly, SOLMIMI’s 1-year hassle-free customer service and limited warranty back the product. 

Pros

• Build to last
• Smooth audio transmission 
• Compatible with most devices 

Cons

• No audio mixing
• Doesn’t work with condenser microphones

Check the SOLMIMI Headphone Splitter’s latest price on Amazon.

2. Best Dual Headphone Splitter 

INVERSE Net Headphone Splitter

Specifications

• Connector Type: Auxiliary, USB Type-C
• Connector Material: Nickel-plated
• Cable Length: NA
• Compatibility: Laptop, tablets, headphones, cellular phones
• Weight: 0.774 ounces

What if your headphone splitter could also function as a fast 60W charger? Yes, that’s possible with the INVERSE Net Headphone Splitter. 

Besides the twin 3.5mm auxiliary ports for the headphones, this splitter also brings you a built-in USB Type-C charging port. The best part is its support for PD fast charging up to 60W, with a maximum output power of 20V/3A. Hence, you can listen to music, binge Netflix movies, or even navigate with car audio while charging your gadgets (with Type-C compatibility.)  

As for the sound quality, I would say it’s just decent. Although the high-resolution DAC chip with a 24-bit/96kHz audio output does its job perfectly, a slight loss of signal quality is evident due to the nickel-plated connectors. Had they been gold-plated, things could have been better for sure! 

Again, the INVERSE Net Headphone Splitter lacks audio mixing. But it compensates well with online controls for answering calls, volume adjustment, and Play/Pause – all proving very convenient. 

The cable length, in my opinion, is very short. Hence, you’ll find the headphone splitter hanging in the air at most times. But this also makes it extremely lightweight, travel-friendly, and easy to store in your backpack, purse, or pocket. 

Pros

• Fast PD charging up to 60W
• Made from durable materials 
• Online multifunctional controls 

Cons

• No gold-plated connectors
• Charging speed often drops

Check the INVERSE Net Headphone Splitter’s latest price on Amazon.

3. Best Multi Headphone Splitter 

Belkin Rockstar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter

Specifications

• Connector Type: Auxiliary
• Connector Material: Nickel-plated
• Cable Length: NA 
• Compatibility: Universal
• Weight: 2.1 ounces

If you’re searching for the best multi-headphone splitter, I’ve got the Belkin Rockstar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter for you. 

Thanks to its multi-jack design, the splitter accepts a maximum of five headphones (or auxiliary cables) at a time. This lets your group enjoy a lively music or movie session together. However, there was a slight drop in the sound quality and volume when I connected more than two devices simultaneously, contradicting the company’s claim. 

With this Belkin Rockstar splitter’s audio mixing feature, you can create a new mix on the go using audio from multiple devices. But you must be a pro to do so; otherwise, the results won’t be as good as expected. Speaking from my experience. 

The next thing I really liked about this particular product is its minimalistic design. Despite being a multi-splitter, it’s lightweight and small. While one main reason is the small cable, the central unit is also cleverly designed to occupy less space inside your pocket or backpack. 

Lastly, the connectors aren’t gold-plated, and thus, the chances of corrosion and signal loss are inevitable. 

Pros

• Built-in audio mixing
• Lightweight and compact design 
• Hard-wired auxiliary cable for connecting to devices

Cons

• Performance drops with multiple devices
• Small cable length 

Check the Belkin Rockstar 5-Jack Multi Headphone Audio Splitter’s latest price on Amazon.

4. Best Budget Headphone Splitter 

UGREEN Headphone Splitter

Specifications

• Connector Type: Auxiliary
• Connector Material: Gold-plated
• Cable Length: 1.5 ft. 
• Compatibility: Laptops, PCs, tablets, smartphones, speakers
• Weight: NA

For shoppers on a budget, the UGREEN Headphone Splitter is the right choice. Here’s why. 

Your perfect companion for audio sharing, this 2-in-1 splitter is compatible with most devices with an integrated 3.5mm port. Be it MP3 players, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, or computers. This makes it super easy to enjoy your favorite music, movies, and games with others. 

When it comes to the sound quality, it’s pretty good. Despite costing under $12, there’s surprisingly no signal loss or static noise to disrupt your listening. So, full marks to the splitter’s construction that comprises polished 24K gold-plated connectors and oxygen-free copper wiring, protected inside a tough aluminum casing. 

Another key highlight of the UGREEN headphone splitter is its unique right-angle connector design. This lets you connect to tight spaces and hard-to-reach areas, for which a normal straight connector won’t suit.

Lastly, the 1.5 ft. flat noodle cable is tangle-free, less space-consuming, and strength tested with 20000+ bend tests. I found the cable length decent for all your jobs without creating the mess of tangles.

Pros

• Long cable for better maneuverability 
• Easy to connect to hard-to-reach areas
• Unrivaled stereo sound

Cons

• Gripping the connector is tough
• No 4-pole plug 

Check the UGREEN Headphone Splitter’s latest price on Amazon.

5. Best Headphone Splitter for Travel 

Syncwire Headphone Splitter

Specifications

• Connector Type: Auxiliary
• Connector Material: Gold-plated
• Cable Length: 0.77 ft. 
• Compatibility: Universal
• Weight: 0.7 ounces

Last but not least, here’s my all-time favorite Syncwire Headphone Splitter for travel. 

The best thing I like about this 3.5mm all-device compatible splitter is its high-quality construction. If I talk about the connectors, they are 24K gold-plated and further treated to resist corrosion in the long run. This results in high-speed and accurate data transmission, eliminating signal loss and noise for the Hi-Fi listening experience. 

Regarding the cable, it’s neither too long nor too short at 0.77 ft. I used this splitter at home, in the office, and of course, while traveling. The cable didn’t take up much space and stayed tangle-free. Some credit also goes to its premium nylon-fabric braided design, too. 

Syncwire also claims the cable to withstand 15000+ bend tests, and I can ascertain this from experience. 

Overall, costing a mere $9, the Syncwire Headphone Splitter is a steal deal, in my opinion with all bases covered. 

Pros

• Ensemble-like sound quality
• Reliable and durable construction
• The cable is less likely to kink or knot up

Cons

• Makes a weird sound with speakers
• Non-humanized connector grip 

Check the Syncwire Headphone Splitter’s latest price on Amazon.

Related: How to Connect Two AirPods to One Phone?

Best Headphone Splitter: FAQs

Q: Do Headphone Splitters Affect Sound Quality? 

A: The answer to this question is yes and no. If your headphone splitter is made from cheap material, it will likely impact the sound. Otherwise, I faced no audio issues while testing the above (and other) premium-quality splitters. 

Q: Do Headphone Splitters Work With Mics?

A: Yes, headphone splitters work with mics. However, they must be specifically designed for this purpose. For example, check out the KINGTOP Headphone Splitter. I’ve been using this mic audio splitter, and its performance is pretty decent. 

Q: Can You Connect Headphones to 2 Devices at Once?

A: It’s possible to connect headphones to two devices at once. One only prerequisite is Bluetooth multipoint. You can call this a feature, technology, or profile that lets your headset form stable connections with multiple devices simultaneously. 

Q: What Are the Different Types of Audio Splitters?

A: The different types of audio splitters, each with its own purpose, are: 

• Dual splitters
• Multi-port splitters
• Mic splitters
• Line splitters

Related: How to Connect Two Monitors to One Computer With One VGA Port?

Conclusion 

Here you go. I hope you found the best headphone splitter in this guide, and now understand how it works.

These nifty gadgets are very useful and have a bunch of cool features that can come in handy. Imagine sharing your favorite tunes with your buddies, throwing an epic movie night where everyone plugs into a single device, teaming up with pals for podcast recordings, or diving into collaborative audio editing and mixing projects. Well, a headphone splitter will simply save the day in such cases.

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