When Apple unveiled the latest AirPods Pro 3, there was plenty to get excited about, like the new heart rate sensor and live translation. But for me, the most exciting upgrade wasn’t flashy at all. It was comfortable and foamy.
I’ve been told by more than one consultant that my ear canals are unusually small (and, apparently, “oddly twisted” though that’s a story for another day). Add in some mild sensory sensitivities and I’m easily frustrated by earbuds that feel too tight, too loose, to claustrophobic or just wrong somehow. So seeing Apple now finally offering five ear tip sizes (including a new XXS option) feels like a small but significant win.
It may not sound like much, but it’s a big shift. Not all that long ago, plasticky earbuds, heavy builds and one-size-fits-all tips were the norm. If you didn’t fit the “average” ear, then tough luck. As someone who’s been reviewing audio tech for more than a decade, I’ve noticed just how much things have improved in just the past few years.
With several small-eared members on TechRadar’s audio team (we’ve even got a best earbuds for small ears guide), and so many of you telling us you face the same struggle, this feels like a genuine step forward. So let’s dig into how earbuds and headphones are finally becoming comfier, lighter, smaller and more of a sensory joy to use.
The more the merrier: improved size options (and materials) for ear tips
Need smaller ear tips? Unfortunately, they’re still not everywhere. But they do exist and, thankfully, more brands are starting to take them seriously.
The ear tip might seem like a tiny detail when you consider the rest of the body of an earbud. But it’s the biggest factor in whether earbuds feel secure or not. A tip that’s too small is going to fall out. Too large and you’ll feel constant pressure or not even be able to jam it into your ear at all. Ears come in a huge variety of shapes and the “average” size many companies design for leaves plenty of us feeling left out.
They’re certainly not alone, but Apple’s AirPods 3 make a clear step forward here. With five foam ear tip options, including an XXS size, they’re finally accommodating smaller ears. It’s not just the size here either, but the materials. Apple has stressed that they’re “foam-infused ear tips” which help with both comfort and passive noise isolation.
A tiny tip on a bulky bud won’t solve everything. But the trend toward more varied, softer tips is a win for anyone who has ever felt their ear canals were either the wrong shape or just too narrow for the neck of an earbud.
Size matters: smaller, super light designs
While ear tip size is crucial, it’s not the only factor that determines comfort. The shape of your concha (the hollow in the outer ear) and tragus (that small point of cartilage by the canal) can make or break whether an earbud causes pain. That’s why smaller, lighter designs are often the best as they reduce pressure points and sit more naturally.
Apple seems to understand this. The company cites more than 10,000 ear scans and 100,000 hours of user research in re-engineering the AirPods Pro 3’s architecture. We’d like to think that’s not just marketing fluff but instead reflects the real effort needed to create buds that don’t just perch in your ear but actually feel good staying there.
Again, they’re not the only ones doing this. Plenty of earbuds are still chunky but lightweight designs are easier to find across every budget. We even have a best earbuds for small ears guide dedicated to them.
The Sony LinkBuds S are a standout, we called them “smaller and lighter” than almost every other design we’ve encountered in our review. While the pocket-sized JLab JBuds Mini are genuinely tiny and comfortable for all-day wear at the budget end of the spectrum. At the premium end, the Montblanc MTB 03 were praised as “some of the smallest and most comfortable earbuds I’ve worn” in our review.
Weight might not seem like a big deal until you’re worn buds for an entire workday or taken them on a long run. Less bulk and weight means less fatigue and far few of those endless micro adjustments mid podcast.
Open your mind to the potential of open earbuds
If you hate that blocked, “bunged up” feeling from in-ear buds, you’re no longer stuck with uncomfortable compromises. The open earbud category has exploded, offering designs that leave your ear canals clear while still delivering strong audio.
What’s great about all of the best open earbuds is there’s a lot of variety between them. For example, the Shokz OpenFit 2+ use an over-the-ear hook design, while Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds clip to the side of your ear, almost like jewelry. Both get around the pressurised sensation of canal-sealing buds, while letting in ambient sound. And don’t think you can’t get excellent ANC from this design – the Honor Earbuds Open are proof that these days, you can.
Open designs aren’t just about comfort either. They’re safer if you run and cycle outdoors, keeping you aware of other people around you and traffic. And for those who don’t always love the eerie silence of ANC, they’re a good middle ground between immersion and awareness.
Less clamping force, more cushioned lightness of being
It’s not only earbuds that feel more comfortable: over-ear headphones are evolving too.
I’m personally a big fan of the Bose QuietComfort headphones, the only over-ears I’ve ever worn for all-day listening sessions. Granted, you’ll always expect a high level of comfort from Bose, but I love the memory foam cups and how easily adjustable the headband is.
But high-end headphones have long offered plush memory foam and adjustable bands. We’re now seeing more mid-range and budget options following suit.
Just look at recent models like the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 and Austrian Audio Hi-X20, offering more flexible headphones with less clamping pressure without sacrificing stability. That means fewer headaches after long listening sessions and a more comfortable feel, even at lower price points.
Why fit is important, whatever design you prefer
When I complain about uncomfortable headphones or earbuds, some people roll their eyes as if I’m being intentionally picky. But a comfortable fit isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.
A poor fit doesn’t just cause discomfort. It undermines everything that the product is supposed to do. Loose buds slip out during a run, risking a very costly accident, but they also can’t create the seal betwixt ear canal and ear tip needed to facilitate the best sound performance. Heart-rate sensors can’t take an accurate reading unless they sit securely. And, of course, sound quality suffers the most of all. Bass disappears, details are lost and leakage ruins the experience.
That’s why fit is as much a performance issue as a comfort one. As our audio editor Becky Scarrott put it in our guide to the best earbuds for small ears: “It’s no good stuffing extra mics into each headshell to support ANC and juicier batteries if the wearer cannot truly glean the benefit.”
Comfort and performance are clearly two sides of the same coin. It’s about time more audio tech brands started treating them that way.