How to find the best earbuds that don’t fall out

Listening to music with wireless earbuds can help you get in the zone during work, stay motivated while exercising, or relax after a long day — but only if they fit properly. If your earbuds keep falling out of your ears, you’re more likely to end up frustrated than anything else.

The good news is that there are earbuds that don’t fall out and are comfortable to wear for hours at a time. Whether you’re looking for open-ear headphones or noise cancelling earbuds, here’s what you need to know to find the right fit so you can enjoy your favorite audio in comfort.

If your earbuds keep falling out during use, there are a few factors that might be to blame. The most common reason that earbuds fall out is that they just don’t fit properly. Everyone’s ears are shaped a little differently, so earbuds aren’t one-size-fits-all. (Some are sold as such, unfortunately.) If your headphones came with multiple eartip sizes, try sizing up or down to see if that keeps them stable.

Dirty earbuds may also be to blame if your headphones keep falling out. If earwax builds up on the tips, it can make them slippery, increasing the chance that they’ll shift out of place. To prevent this, clean your wireless earbuds regularly.

There’s also a chance that the way you’re using your earbuds is causing them to fall out, so read the directions on how to wear earbuds properly. If you talk on the phone or even eat while your earbuds are in, the movement of your jaw can cause them to become dislodged, increasing the chances of them falling out.

Certain products offer a more comfortable and secure fit, minimizing the risk of them falling out of your ears. If you’re in the market for true wireless earbuds, look for customizable fit and even open-ear designs, like:

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer next-gen immersive audio, world-class active noise cancellation, and unbeatable comfort, and you can customize their fit to ensure they stay put in your ear canal.

These earbuds come with three eartip sizes and three pairs of stability bands that you can mix and match, creating nine potential combinations to suit your ears. For those with extra-small or -large ears, there’s even an alternate sizing kit that offers two additional eartip sizes and two more pairs of stability bands. The umbrella-shaped eartips are made from super-soft material that forms to your ear canal, creating a tight seal to keep the earbuds secure and provide noise-isolating abilities.

The customizable fit isn’t the only thing that makes these earbuds special. They deliver immersive audio that places sounds in front of you for a more natural listening experience — it makes it sound like you’re listening live, not through headphones. The earbuds also have CustomTune technology that analyzes the shape of your ears and automatically adjusts the noise cancellation and sound performance for optimal results, and you can adjust your audio through convenient touch controls.

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds offer water resistance that protects against water and sweat, so they’re perfect for hitting the gym. They deliver up to six hours of battery life per charge, and the case holds up to three additional full charges so you can listen all day long.

If in-ear headphones cause discomfort, you might want to try a new type of earbud altogether. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are an innovative new open-ear design that don’t sit inside your ear canal at all. Instead, these cuff-shaped headphones rest on the outer edge of your ear and use OpenAudio technology to project high-quality sound that only you can hear. Because they wrap around your ears instead of fitting inside them, the earbuds are incredibly stable and comfortable enough to wear all day long.

These innovative earbuds are perfect for multitasking around the house or running errands, and they automatically adjust the volume based on ambient sound levels, ensuring you can always hear your favorite tunes, engrossing podcasts, or important phone calls. Despite their open-ear design, the earbuds are surprisingly private and won’t disturb those around you, and they boast up to 7 hours of play time, with an additional 19.5 hours of battery life in the charging case.

The fit of your earbuds can make or break your listening experience. If you’re tired of earbuds that fall out, it’s time to upgrade to a more customized fit — or switch to open-ear headphones to prevent the issue completely. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy your audio in comfort, no matter where you go.