How to wear the earbud headphones and select the right size earbud tips (2024)

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

The following information is important in order to maximize the the noise canceling function and sound quality for music and calls.

Note: The earbuds may not work as designed if they are not worn properly, or the size of the earbud tips doesn't match the size of your ear canals.

• Wear the earbuds properly
• Measure the air-tightness of the earbud tips
• Check the optimal size of the earbud tips

Wear the earbuds properly

Gently pull up on the top of your ears, put the earbud tips in your ear canal, and then twist the earbuds into place. This makes sure the earbuds are firmly in the ear canal.

WF-1000XM5

WF-1000XM4

LinkBuds S

Note: The Noise Isolation Earbud Tips (for the WF-1000XM4 headphones) will adjust their shape to fit in your ears. Wait for about 10 seconds for the earbud tip shape to stabilize, and then check that they fit firmly in your ears and if the noise canceling effect is sufficient. If you feel the earbud tips don't fit well, or the noise canceling effect is insufficient, remove and reinsert the earbuds, making sure the earbud tips fit snug in your ears.

Measure the air-tightness of the earbud tips

You can measure the air-tightness of the earbud tips using the Determines Optimal Earbud Tips function in the Headphones Connect app.

Note: The images in this article use the WF-1000XM4 headphones as examples.

1. Open the Headphones Connect app, and make sure the earbuds have a Bluetooth connection with the audio device.
2. Tap the System tab, and then tap Determines Optimal Earbud Tips.
   

   Note: If a message appears, tap OK.

   
   
3. Tap TEST THE WEARING CONDITION, then follow the instructions on the screen.
4. Tap START, then wait for the test to complete.
   

   Note: Perform these measurements in a quiet location and make sure not to move while measuring.

5. Check the results of the measurement.
   

   Note: If the earbuds are worn correctly, the message Earbud tips are air-tight is displayed under each earbud. If this message doesn't appear under both earbuds, refer to the Wearing the earbuds properly section, or try different size earbud tips, and then measure again.

   
   

Check the optimal size of earbud tips

Different sizes of earbud tips are supplied so that you can achieve the maximum effects of the earbuds. Ear canals vary in size from person to person, and can also vary in size from the left to the right sides. Use the Determines Optimal Earbud Tips function in the Headphones Connect app to check the size of the earbud tips that best fit your ears.

Note: The Determines Optimal Earbud Tips function measures how snug the earbud tips fit in your ears to achieve the optimal noise cancelation effect and sound quality. Select a proper size that feels comfortable when worn before using the earbuds.

1. Open the Headphones Connect app, and make sure the earbuds have a Bluetooth connection with the audio device.
2. Tap System, and then tap Determines Optimal Earbud Tips.
   

   Note: If a message appears, tap OK.

   
   
3. Tap COMPARE ALL SIZES.
4. Select the sizes that fit and you can wear comfortably among the three size options (S, M, L), and then tap NEXT.
   
5. Follow the instructions on the screen, attach the first size earbud tips, and then insert them in your ears.
   

   Note: For details on how to remove or attach the earbud tips, refer to the How to remove, attach, or clean the Noise Isolation Earbud Tips article.

6. Tap Start.
   

   Note: Perform these measurements in a quiet location, and make sure not to move while measuring.

7. After the measurement is completed, repeat the process for the next size earbud tips.
   

   Note: Measure all the earbud tip sizes checked in step 4. Repeat the measurement in steps 5 to 6.

8. When all measurements are complete, check the measurement results. The size that best fits your ears will be displayed.
   

   Note: If you feel the earbud does not fit well, push the earbud gently into your ear so that it fits well, or try other size earbud tips.