So, you’ve just bought a new pair of Apple AirPods…but hang on, how on earth are you supposed to wear these little devices?
Or maybe you’ve been surreptitiously ambling past the Apple store every day, wondering if they’re worth parting with your hard-earned cash for. Well, no fear, help is at hand!
We’ve conveniently put together an easy to follow guide on how to wear these ingenious inventions. If you’re a seasoned Bluetooth headphone wearer you may be thinking, should you jump ship and get on the AirPod bandwagon? It’s AirPods vs Bluetooth Headphones. We’ll have a gander at both of them and see which is the best option for YOU!
Still not sure? No problem! We’ll take a gentle stroll through some FAQs. From how to clean your earbuds to revealing some top-secret tips on how to get the best out of the controls, our FAQ section will answer any burning questions you have and help you to make that all-important purchase.
A Guide to Wearing Apple’s In-Ear AirPods Comfortably
1. Open Ear Design
If you want to be able to hear ambient sounds around you, for example, if you’re walking by the roadside, you can hang the AirPods loosely in your ear, with the stems pointing down. This way you still get good sound but for safety reasons, you’re still aware of potential dangers such as traffic.
2. Noise Cancelling
If you want to fully enjoy your music and benefit from the Airpods noise cancellation function, then pushing them into your ears with the speakers facing forward is your best bet. Make sure the stems are sticking out away from your ear. It may look slightly odd but this way you get the best bass and all ambient sounds will be blocked out.
3. Less Bass
If you want a little less bass then simply pop the Airpods into your ears with the speakers facing backward rather than forward. This gives less bass and almost no treble depending on how far you push them in.
4. Best Sound
If you want the best sound possible then all you need to do is turn the AirPods upside down, so the stems are pointing up and they’re pressed up against your outer ear. Although this does give the best sound, they do fall out easily. If you’re sitting still watching a movie or reading then having them in this position is fine, but it won’t be suitable if you’ll be out running or doing any high-intensity exercise. You don’t want to be losing your expensive AirPods!
5. Wear One At A Time
If your ears are particularly sensitive then you could try wearing one AirPod at a time so that the other ear gets a break. By switching between each ear you can prevent a lot of pain if you need to use them for long periods. Not only that, but it also makes the battery last longer. Score!
Apple AirPods versus Regular Headphones
So you may be wondering which is better, Apple Airpods or regular earphones? Different people have different tastes, needs, and wants and which style is best all depends on those factors. The most obvious difference is the price.
If you’ve ever shopped around for regular in-ear headphones you’ll know that the price range is massive. Airpods don’t offer that range, the price is set firm.
When it comes to compatibility, both products have their strengths and weaknesses. Airpods are a breeze to connect to different devices, however, they can only be used with other Apple products.
If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad then that’s no problem, but smartphone users will miss out, how unfair! On the flip side, traditional in-ear headphones can be used with any device, but they can be a pain to switch between gadgets.
What about the sound? Most users agree that Airpods deliver good sound and the average person would enjoy them. But if you’re a hardcore audiophile you may want something more advanced.
For the same price, you’ll probably be able to pick up a pair of regular in-ear headphones with better sound quality. It all depends on what you’ll be using them for, if you’re always on the go then Apple AirPods would probably be a great choice for you.
FAQs
What is the correct way to wear Apple earbuds?
To get the best out of your Apple earbuds, it’s important to make sure you’re wearing them properly. If you’re new to apple products you may find them slightly confusing. But don’t worry, we’ve got some tips to help you get the correct fit. For maximum sound quality, your earbuds need skin contact. One way to know that you’re wearing them correctly is if they give you a snug and comfortable fit.
Keeping your earbuds clean and dry will increase comfort levels and prevent any damage to them. This is important if you wear them for exercise or after contact with liquids such as soap or makeup which can irritate you. It’s also important that your skin is clean and dry as well to get the best possible performance.
What is the best way to clean Apple earbuds?
Once you’ve figured out the best way to wear your earbuds, you’ll start to use them more and more. Unfortunately, with all of this use comes a gross build-up from your ears. It’s super important that you clean them regularly, you don’t want to end up with any nasty skin irritations or suffer an ear infection.
You may want to wipe them off first with a tissue to dislodge any dirt or dust. Apple suggests using an antiseptic like isopropyl alcohol. This is a strong rubbing alcohol that will disinfect and clean your earbuds effectively. Keep your ears happy with nice clean earphones!
After a bit of use, you may notice weird black stains on your charging case. Seeing as it’s whiter than white, these marks will show up more, damn. It’s simply debris from metal on metal as you open and close it, and because the case contains magnets, well, it’s more likely to attract metal.
Now if this less than aesthetically pleasing look doesn’t bother you, then just enjoy your AirPods. However, if your perfectionist nature won’t let you rest, then there’s an easy solution to getting rid of those pesky marks.
Scotch tape! Yes, the old reliable, used-for-a-million-reasons tape. Simply pop it over the areas where the black marks reside, make sure it’s stuck firmly in place, leave for 30 seconds, slowly peel it off, and, voila, the black marks are no more.
How do I keep earbuds from falling out of my ear?
So your apple air buds look cool and you feel like a boss when you wear them, but there’s one issue. They keep falling out. Sound familiar? Everyone’s ears are all different shapes and sizes and unfortunately, Apple earbuds are only available in one size, so many people experience this very problem. Don’t worry though, there are some nifty tips you can use to help them stay put.
If you have the Airpods Pro then you’ll have three different size silicone tips to choose from. Play around with all three and see which one fits best. If you prefer foam tips you can also buy these separately.
This is a fairly old trick, but twisting the buds while they’re inserted in the ear canal may help. Try rotating them 30 degrees so the stem is almost horizontal and away from your ears. This makes them more secure.
If you want a more solid fit then the AirPod Grips might be the way to go. They consist of large plastic hooks that wrap around your whole ear. Although they are bigger and bulkier than normal AirPod covers, they do offer a sturdier fit. If you’re using them for running or high-intensity exercise, these Grips might just be your new best friend!
If you’re looking for something a bit more subtle, then the EarSkinz AirPod covers slide over your AirPods and offers a nice secure fit. They’re still a bit thicker than other covers but they’re comfortable and should keep your AirPods stuck firmly in place. Run, jump, or skip to your heart’s content, these bad boys aren’t going anywhere.
Whichever wear method you choose, it’s super important that your Airpods fit comfortably. Ears are sensitive souls, and if you end up with badly fitting earphones, you’ll know about it!
How can I use the controls on my AirPods?
With AirPods there’s so much you can do if you know how to use them properly. Want to talk to Siri? Connect to Apple TV? You can do that and more with a few handy tricks.
If you want to connect your AirPods to a new device, no problem! The process is quick and easy. First things first, enable Bluetooth on your iPhone. Then open the lid to your charging case but leave the earbuds in for now. You’ll get a notification on your phone that the buds are not connected. Select Connect. Then, press and hold down the button on the charging pod but keep the lid open.
Another notification will tell you that your Airpods are paired up. Select Done, take your buds out and start listening to your favorite music. Once you’ve paired them they’ll automatically connect every time you take them out. Genius!
Most Apple users know you can activate Siri through your phone or by voice, but did you know you can also talk to Siri through your Airpods? Simply double-tap on either AirPod and ask your question through its built-in microphone.
If you want to watch your favorite shows without disturbing others in the room, connecting to Apple TV is super easy! First of all, either pop your Airpods in your ears or make sure the charging pod is open. Turn on your Apple TV and navigate to the Home Screen. From there, hold down the Play/Pause button on your remote. Choose your Airpods when the options appear on your screen. Done! Piece of cake!
