Yes, you should twist AirPods (especially Pro/3rd Gen) slightly when inserting them to get a secure, comfortable fit, improve sound quality, and enhance noise cancellation by creating a better seal in your ear canal, often rotating the stem towards your face or mouth. This small adjustment helps "lock" them in place, preventing them from falling out and optimizing performance.
The AirPods 60/60 rule is a hearing protection guideline: listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time, then take a short break (5-10 minutes) to let your ears rest and recover from loud sounds. This prevents permanent hearing damage from prolonged exposure to high sound levels, which is especially important with earbuds that sit directly in the ear canal.
Properly fitting AirPods remain stable and don't slide out. Sleep test (if you plan to sleep with them): lie on your side for a few minutes--discomfort or ejection indicates poor fit. Bass presence: good bass response (tight, present low end) indicates a reasonable seal; weak or thin bass suggests air leakage.
What makes the AirPods 4 stand out is their incredibly lightweight design—they won't feel like you're carrying ear-weights on long runs. They also fit securely, and with the improved shape, they're less likely to pop out mid-run.
Give your ears a break.
The World Health Organization suggests that people listen through their headphones for just one hour per day. Between Zoom calls, podcasts and New Music Friday that seems like a tall order but it serves as a reminder that our ears need a break.
Your AirPods should feel snug but not tight. If heart rate recordings are intermittent or seem inaccurate, try the following: Try a different ear tip size.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR AIRPODS FROM FALLING OUT
Choose ear tips wisely to prevent issues: Too small tips: May cause the earbud to move and potentially fall out. Too small tips for noise reduction: Smaller tips can increase outside noise interference. Too small for audio quality: Inadequate seal can lead to loss of audio quality, especially in low frequencies.
AirPods typically last around two to three years because users feel like they need to replace them. This is due to the lithium batteries slowly degrading over time.
Since headphones go over the ears and don't sit inside the ear canal, they send sound into the ear differently and may be less harmful at the same volume. No matter your career, age, or which device you choose, remember the 60/60 rule: Don't listen at more than 60% volume for more than 60 minutes at a time.
To minimize the risk, experts recommend adhering to the "60-60 rule," which involves listening at 60% of the maximum volume for no more than 60 minutes at a time. If you plan to wear AirPods while sleeping, consider using apps or device settings to limit the maximum volume.
Ear tip size and material directly affect how well earbuds stay in your ears. Tips: Test different sizes provided in the packaging to find the most snug fit. Silicone tips generally offer secure placement, while foam tips conform to your ear shape.
Adjust Sleeping Position
One Ear Only: Stick to one AirPod in the ear that's not against the pillow. If they sleep on their left side, pop it in the right ear. Switch it up when rolling over. Back Sleeping: Lying flat keeps both AirPods in play with no pressure.
Gently pull on the top of each ear to open the ear canal, and lightly insert the earbuds. See how they feel in your ears, and try each size of eartips. Be sure to push the earbuds all the way into your ears to achieve a proper seal with both ear canals. They should be snug, but comfortable.
Because they fit securely, earbuds with ear hooks are also popular for workouts. One factor to look out for with ear hooks is interference with eyewear or bike helmets, which can make earbuds with wings a better option.
For most people, the best Apple AirPods are the AirPods Pro 3. As Apple's latest flagship earbuds, they deliver powerful active noise cancellation, a comfortable and secure in-ear fit, and even a heart rate tracking feature designed for workouts. If you're looking to spend less, the AirPods 4 are our top budget pick.
AirPods Pro 1 are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529.
Wrong Ear Tip Size - The Inevitable Cause of a Loose Fit
You may fall into the 10% of AirPods Pro users that struggle to keep them in your ear. Well, as the ear canal experts.
The lifespan for these tips depends on use but averages about 2-3 months per pair. Luckily, they are fairly cheap, so replacing them won't put a dent in your wallet. A great memory foam ear tip option for AirPods Pro.
Gen Z likes wired headphones for a mix of nostalgia, anti-mainstream style (rejecting AirPods' "tech bro" vibe), and practical benefits like better sound quality, no charging, lower cost, and greater sustainability/longevity, tapping into retro aesthetics and a desire for simpler, more reliable tech, influenced by celebrities like Bella Hadid.
Also, consider giving your ears a break. Rather than wearing earbuds for eight hours, switch to over-ear headphones. Or wear an earbud in only one ear, then switch to the other. Consider opting for devices with noise-cancellation features and improved sound quality.
How many hours is 100% on AirPods? On a full charge, AirPods typically give you around 5 to 6 hours of listening time, depending on the model. Talk time is a bit shorter, usually between 3 to 4 hours.