USB vs. Aux: What's the Difference?

Which audio input is superior and when should they be used?

We compared the two so that you’ve got the option to make the best choice for you.

Overall Findings

Not as common or universal as aux inputs.

Safer and more convenient for driving: Allows hands-free control of a smartphone or tablet.

Superior sound quality, though not everyone notices the difference.

Digital-to-digital: No lossy conversion of audio.

Tends to wear out sooner than USB.

Which cord you should use depends on the speaker system and setup.

USB cords are generally more convenient and deliver better sound, but are only available on digital systems.

Wears out sooner than USB, leading to noise and hiss.

Inferior sound quality, but most people won’t notice a difference.

The chief benefit of an aux input is that it’s widely used.

(The biggest exception being every iPhone made since 2016.)

Playback is also simple and easy, with none of the compatibility problems that sometimes plague digital connections.

Aux cords also introduce more audible noise due to shorts in the electrical flow.

The cords are often shorter, flimsier, and more expensive than USB.

Superior audio quality, though most people won’t notice a difference.

Digital-to-digital conversion: No loss of information.

Not as common or universal as aux inputs, particularly on older devices.

Some head units and audio interfaces take direct control of a smartphone through the USB connection.

This is sometimes referred to asdirect control, and its safer and more convenient while driving.

The level of integration varies from one unit to another.

Despite their growing use, USB connections aren’t as universal as aux or headphone inputs.

The same cannot be said of USB.

Any throw in of auxiliary or secondary audio connection.

Most commonly associated with 3.5 mm headphone jack.

An auxiliary input isn’t a specific jot down of connection like USB.

It refers to an additional or secondary connection.

There are many kinds of Aux cables and connections.

(That’s why they’re sometimes called headphone jacks.)

USB is an industry-standard for digitally connecting computers and peripheral devices.

DAC stands for Digital-to-Analog Converter.

A DAC takes digital data and turns it into an analog signal that can then drive speakers or headphones.

This is because an aux connection utilizes the DAC in a phone.