If you are new to the world of personal audio, you may wonder how to wear earbuds with wings. Some of the best headphones, after all, are earbuds and some earbuds even come with wings. So what exactly are earbud wings, what makes them the best wireless earbuds, and how to properly wear a pair? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Many wireless earbuds intended for fitness activities include integrated wings for increased stability as they expand to create an airtight seal.
- Some of these winged wireless earbuds also include ear hooks that wrap around the ear lobes, further locking them in place and increasing sound quality.
- To improve comfort while using a pair of earbuds, experiment with different tip sizes and ear hooks, and make sure you are wearing them in the correct ears.
What Are Earbuds With Wings?
Earbuds sometimes include wings and hooks to provide extra stability during use, which is helpful when learning how to wear earbuds. These are typically earbuds aimed at fitness enthusiasts, and they are primarily wireless models, so you won’t have to learn how to wrap earbuds. Winged earbuds do provide a tighter fit, but it is not universal, so you will still have to learn all about types of earphone tips.
Insider Tip
Most winged earbuds are highly water-resistant, but read the documentation accompanying the buds just to be sure.
How to Wear Earbuds With Ear Wings
There are a few things to keep track of to make sure you get a good fit with your winged earbuds. Let’s go over them now.
Learn About Hooks and Wings
Not all winged earbuds have hooks, and not all hooked earbuds have wings, though it is common for earbuds to have both stability-enhancing features. Wings go inside the ear canal, where they expand and create an airtight seal. Hooks go outside of the ear lobe and hook around the outer side of the ear. With both in place, these earbuds are not going anywhere, and they will not fall out even with the most strenuous of exercises.
Pay Attention to Which Ear
Despite looking nearly identical, earbuds do have a designated ear. Look for markings on the exterior to indicate which ear each bud should be placed inside of. Earbuds with hooks and wings will create a seal inside of whichever ear they go inside of, but your comfort level will be reduced when you are wearing your earbuds in the wrong ears.
Swap Out the Tips
Wings and hooks help create an airtight seal to reduce ambient noise and keep the earbuds locked in place during use, but this does not impact the overall comfort level. If you are finding the earbuds to be uncomfortable, experiment with different-sized earbud tips. Each pair ships with three or so tip sizes, but there are third-party tips available that allow for many different sizes to suit different ear canals.
STAT: Ever since hitting the mainstream in 2016, true wireless earbuds have quickly become the go-to choice for many. (source)
