If you’re like most people, you spend countless hours with your headphones on listening to music, watching YouTube videos, or playing games. And if you’re like most of those people, eventually your headphones will become damaged, and you will need to replace them. But here’s the good news: there are steps you can take to make your headphones last longer and prevent them from getting damaged in the first place.
This guide will help you keep your headphones healthy and working at their best so that you don’t need to worry about replacement as soon as possible.
Let’s get started!
9 Ways to Make Headphones Last Longer
Below are the most effective ways to make headphones last longer:
- Always buy good quality headphones
- Store Them Properly
- Clean and condition your headphones
- Keep Them Dry
- Avoid Putting pressure or weight on them
- Keep Your Headphones away from Extreme Heat and Cold
- Moderate your volume
- For wireless headphones: Have a charging schedule
- Get a headphone repair kit
Always Buy Good Quality Headphones
When it comes to headphones, good quality is key. High-quality headphones won’t only sound better and last longer, they’ll also be more comfortable on your ears and have a tighter seal.
Noise canceling and noise isolating features are worth spending the money on if you fly a lot because they will make flying much more pleasant.
Store Them Properly
One way of making your headphones last longer is by storing them properly. This includes not only the physical location, but also the manner in which they are stored.
The ideal storage place should be dark, dry, and out of sight so that dirt or dust won’t be able to accumulate on them.
You can hang your headphones on a peg near an electrical outlet if you’re going to leave them there for a while, but do be sure that they are completely dry first.
The most important thing about how to make headphones last longer is to treat them with respect. It’s as simple as being gentle when plugging them into devices, turning down the volume when they don’t need it all that high, and storing them properly (even though it might seem like too much work).
Clean and Condition Your Headphones
You should also clean and condition your headphones once every few Weeks. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to properly clean and care for your headphones, and you’ll have them lasting a lot longer.
The first step is to find a soft, damp cloth that won’t scratch the surface of your headphones. Then grab any old toothbrush with some water (that’s all you need!) Dip the toothbrush in the water and then scrub around inside each of the nooks and crannies of your headphones.
Clean any stubborn dirt or grime away from the speakers with a little more wet rubbing from the brush. If there’s anything still remaining, use a lint-free cloth to make sure that it’s removed fully before drying off.
Be careful not to get too close to the speaker itself, as it could damage your headphones! Afterward, turn them upside down over a bowl or another container and let them dry overnight.
Once they’re dry, feel free to put the cushions back on and enjoy your newly cleaned set of headphones!
Keep Them Dry
The best way you can extend the life of your favorite set of headphones is by keeping them as dry as possible. There are two common mistakes that people make when it comes to storing their headphones.
They are: 1) storing them in the same bag with their dirty clothes and 2) wearing them in the shower.
Since most people sweat a lot when they work out, this will lead to more build up than necessary on the electronics in your earbuds and increase the risk of it corroding over time.
On top of that, having moisture next to an electrical device will decrease its lifespan exponentially because moisture causes electronics to oxidize.
If water does happen to get into the inside of your earphones, there’s no need to panic. Just let them air dry for at least 24 hours before using them again.
If your device doesn’t start working again after 24 hours or if it starts acting strangely after coming into contact with water (example: making a buzzing sound), then do not try to fix it yourself and bring it in for professional help instead.
Avoid Putting Pressure or Weight On Them
A common mistake people make with their expensive new headphones is wrapping them up for storage in an ill-fitting case or bag.
It can seem like a good idea at the time because there are no wires getting tangled or pinched–but once you realize how much damage can happen just from placing something heavy on top of your prized possession (like putting your laptop bag on top of your headphone case), you’ll regret it every day until you buy another pair.
Storing headphones properly will help protect against any sudden jolts which could cause cables to break–keeping away from sharp objects will also prolong the lifespan of those expensive cords.
Keep Your Headphones Away from Extreme Heat and Cold
Keeping your headphones out of extreme heat or cold is beneficial for a number of reasons. First, it prevents the cables from shorting.
Second, it helps prevent certain substances from entering the mic/headphone input and messing with the sound quality. Third, higher temperatures are known to cause memory foam cushions to break down which in turn causes their shape to change.
Finally, if you live in a warmer climate where people like to blast the AC year-round, your headphones may get too cold or be damaged by low humidity levels.
So, if you want to make sure your investment lasts as long as possible, store your headphones in an area that ranges between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Plug in Only When Necessary
All electronics generate heat, which breaks down and speeds up wear and tear on the internals. The headphones work harder when running on a low battery, so give it as much life as you can by plugging them in only when needed.
Keep Them Away from Electromagnetic Waves
The electromagnetic waves can cause power fluctuations which can lead to faster wear and tear on the headphones.
To avoid this, try to keep your head phones away from computers or other electronic devices that emit these waves.
If you’re using them in an environment with a lot of radio waves, consider investing in noise-canceling earbuds. Also make sure not to use them for long periods of time as this will put more stress on the materials inside them.
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Moderate your volume
If you want your headphones to last a long time, make sure you’re not playing them too loudly. The louder the volume, the more strain it puts on your headphones.
This can cause them to become damaged and break down faster than they would if you were listening at a lower volume. In general, try to limit the amount of times you listen at high volumes during the lifetime of your set of headphones.
When you do crank up the sound, keep it for shorter periods of time.
The same goes for turning up the bass: turn up the bass just enough so that you can still hear your music as intended, but don’t turn it all the way up so that you lose track of what’s going on in any other part of your song.
Turning up the bass will likely decrease battery life as well, which is why it’s best to only play with the setting for short amounts of time.
For Wireless Headphones: Have A Charging Schedule
Wireless headphones are convenient and can last a long time if you charge them properly. For example, with my Apple Airpods, I charge them once every two weeks. When they start running low on battery, the case will notify me.
The same is true for any other wireless headphones as well. This way you can keep your wireless headphones charged without having to worry about it all the time.
Keep in mind that you should only use the charging cord when it is necessary, because this will help extend their lifespan and make them last longer too!
If you’re using wired headphones, then try not to wrap the cords around anything that would cause strain on the wires. If there’s an excess wire at the end of your headphone wire (where it plugs into an audio jack) then coil it up and tuck it away so that it doesn’t get bent or caught on something while in storage.
It might seem like these things don’t matter much, but they really do help prolong how long your headphones last.
Get A Headphone Repair Kit
Get a headphone repair kit from your favorite store or online, which includes a bag of screws, glue and adhesive patches. Repair kits are the ultimate savior for any broken headband.
Related Post: Are Expensive Headphones Worth It
My Experience – How I Take Care of My Headphones?
With so many things that can go wrong with headphones, it can be tough to keep your headphones from breaking down. It doesn’t take much though! I’m sharing some do-it-yourself ideas for how to make your headphones last longer.
The most obvious solution is probably using a case or carrying bag when you’re on the go, which protects your precious music machine from getting crushed, or tangled up in other objects.
A big part of making a good connection and listening experience involves keeping them clean and storing them properly when they’re not being used.
Remember that dirt and sweat can quickly build up inside your buds! Soak those suckers in rubbing alcohol or dish detergent occasionally to wash out bacteria and remove ear wax.
One more thing that’s easy to overlook: cleaning off your cables if they start feeling sticky and gunky. Wrap them tightly with a towel and use an old toothbrush to scrub away all the gunk.
Once your work is done, wrap them back up again so they don’t get all nasty again.
If these DIYs are starting to sound like too much work, you might consider investing in higher quality headphones that have better protection against the elements and sound better because there’s less interference between your device and the speakers.
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How To Make Headphones Last Longer
- Charge up to 80% or less, avoid overnight charging.
- Prevent overheating and don’t use it while charging.
- Turn off when not in use and use a protective case.
- Safeguard the charging port with magnetic cables or guards.
- Clean monthly to prevent debris buildup.
How to make Apple headphones last longer?
- Maintain cleanliness and proper storage.
- Periodically replace ear pads.
- Protect vulnerable areas and prevent moisture.
- Match ohms, control volume, and follow a charging routine.
How to make earphones last longer?
For prolonged earphone lifespan:
- Store properly to prevent damage.
- Clean earphones and cable regularly.
- Check and maintain connections.
- Keep dry, replace sleeves, and invest in quality products.
How to make your Bluetooth headphones battery last longer?
- Turn it off when idle.
- Store in a shaded place to avoid sunlight exposure.
- Opt for proper charging: full to low before recharging.
- Prevent extended storage without periodic charges.
Conclusions
There are a few ways you can make your headphones last longer. First, don’t use them when it’s raining outside. This will prevent moisture from getting into the wires and causing them to corrode. Don’t forget the very hot weather too. Secondly, be aware of what you’re doing with the cord.
For example, don’t wrap it around your phone or laptop as this will cause the wires inside to break over time. Finally, avoid putting pressure on the cord by sitting on your headphones or laying them on their side in your bag when they’re not in use. If you follow these easy steps, your headphones should last for years and years!
