Key Takeaways:
- Standard size earbuds may not fit well for those with small ear canals. Signs of a poor fit include: ear pain, discomfort, or trouble staying in the ear.
- A better fit may even mean safer listening levels for small ears.
- Our selection criteria for earbuds for small ears includes: fit, ear tips, connection type, and battery life.
- Our top five include: TOZO A1 Mini Wireless earbuds, Apple Airpods Pro, Sony Linkbuds S, Anker Soundcore Space A40 Truly Wireless, and Bose QuietComfort Noise II.
.png)
Popular opinion: Any task worth doing is done better with some background music. But what if you’re streaming some tunes and those earbuds just don’t fit well?
Many products on the market have larger in-ear design styles which can cause an improper fit and discomfort. Ear pain and feelings of discomfort also result from these larger in-ear pieces pressing on parts of the ear and/or the ear canal during wear. (And, I know this feeling all too well: My ear canals are on the smaller side, and I often remove earbuds after an hour or two of use due to discomfort. So, I’m personally invested in finding new and comfy earbuds, too!)
Which means, you might be wearing earbuds that aren’t the right size for your ears. If your ears are on the smaller side, mainstream-sized devices are probably uncomfortable to wear.
And, if you’ve been suffering with poor fitting earbuds, you might already have some concerns. Can ill-fitting devices actually hurt your ears? According to Soundly’s lead audiologist, Dr. Amy Sarow, if a person has much much smaller than average ear size, sound from the earbuds will be louder than a wearer with average or large size ears.
“Physics causes the sound in a smaller space to sound louder than if the sound is played in a larger space,” says Dr. Amy. “Wearing the wrong size earbuds can cause discomfort, such as sore or tender skin when pressure creates friction on the skin.” Essentially, when you’re wearing properly sized buds, you’re automatically listening to sound at a safer listening volume.
So, how can you solve this predicament? It’s time to tap a pair of earbuds for small ears. With proper fitting earbuds, you’ll make ear pain and fatigue disappear.
Even with earbuds at the right size, your ears are still vulnerable to damage. “Regular earbuds do not protect your ears and while noise canceling earbuds can block out some ambient noise, they do not protect hearing from loud sounds in the environment, even when muted,” says Dr. Amy. Which means that you’ll still need to engage with safe listening levels (aka, below 80 decibels and 60-70% maximum volume).
How can I find a snug and comfy fit with my earbuds?
Finding a good and snug fit isn’t hard and it’s easy to do. “The correct ear tip should feel comfortably snug and stay in place with typical head movements,” says Dr. Amy. “If the ear tip moves or slides around easily or if it presses uncomfortably, choose a different size.”
What should I look for in earbuds for small ears?
- Fit
- Swappable Ear tips
- Connection type
- Battery life
Fit is the foundation of an enjoyable—and comfortable—listening experience. To start, well-fitting earbuds should sit in the ear without moving, falling out, or causing discomfort during or after use. The best earbuds for small ear canals usually have multiple ear tips that easily swap out.
In this guide, we looked at earbuds that have various ear tip sizes, so if you’re often moving earbuds in or around for a more secure fit, you’ll want to size down in the ear tips for a snugger fit.
Once you get the right fit, you shouldn’t be readjusting them continuously with use or pushing them in to keep the fit snug.
Ok, time to talk products.
Cue, ultra-thin earbuds that can fit seamlessly in your ears. Scroll on to see our top five picks for ultra comfy earbuds for small ears. 👇
Want comfort, style, and a budget-friendly price? Choose these TOZO earbuds that retail for $19.99.
These earbuds are small but mighty, with impressive sound quality and customizable 5 in-ear tips (now, that’s variety). Meaning, it’s easy to find a totally snug and easy fit with this model.
With smart touch controls (for volume, sound settings, voice controls, etc.), an IPX5 waterproof rating (aka, don’t fret about getting caught in the rain), and a lightweight design make this set a stellar option.
Note: These earbuds have the lowest battery life in the article. However, the charging case does provide wireless charging on the go!
Fit: Extra small to extra large
Ear tips: 5 sizes
Connection type: Bluetooth
Battery life: 5.5
Customer review - “The first thing that I’ve liked about this product is the various little rubber piece that fits in your ear. I’ve always had an issue with an earbud not fitting my ear since long term it just makes it painful. Sometimes what you think fits doesn’t so I’m glad I have this little option.” - Michaela
- Great price
- Solid overall reatures
- Water resistant
- Battery life
- Less premium build-quality
.jpg)
Are you a tried and true Apple fan? Well, you’re in luck because the 2nd Generation Apple AirPods Pro earbuds are just the ticket for $199.00. These noise-canceling earbuds pop in for an easy fit (and have four ear tip sizes!), and this current generation of earbuds are much-loved for their balanced, clear, and clean sound.
Even better: These earbuds are designed with adaptive EQ, which means that the sound streaming from the devices automatically adjusts to the shape of your ears.
Compared to other earbuds in this round-up, Apple does have the second shortest battery life. But, the charging case has 24 hours of charge, making powering up on the go very easy.
Fit: Extra small to large
Ear tips: 4 sizes
Connection type: Bluetooth
Battery life: 6 hours
Customer review - “The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) wireless earbuds have redefined my audio experience with their exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit, and seamless integration with Apple devices.” - Danny
- Sound quality
- Noise canceling
- Shorter battery life
- More expensive than some
Comparable in price to the Apple AirPods Pro, the $199.00 Sony Linkbuds S offer exceptional fit and sound quality. And also similar to their Apple counterparts, these very light earbuds are also outfitted with four different ear tips sizes for a quality fit.
This intuitive earbud has a lot going for it: The Sony Linkbuds S automatically switches between noise canceling and optimized ambient sound for a premium listening experience (whether you're listening to music or on a call). The earbud’s smart features also learn from your listening behavior and adjust sound settings. Now, that is neat.
Be warned if you’re more inclined to charge on the go, the case charges with a USB Type-C cable only.
Fit: Extra small to large
Ear tips: 4 sizes
Connection type: Bluetooth
Battery life: 7 hours
Customer review - “I've always preferred Sony headphones/earphones for their fit and sound quality. I guess I have weird ear sizes but Sony's have always fit my ears when others (JBL/Bose) wouldn't. These lil buds fit great, sound FABULOUS and with the app, are incredibly versatile.” - Jade
- Sound quality
- Noise canceling
- No wireless charging
- Premium pricepoint
Don’t want a high-end device but don’t want a wallet-friendly one, either? Take a look at mid-range earbuds like Anker Soundcore, which comes in at $79.00.
The noise canceling buds also boast an unbeatable size range with 5 in-ear tips to choose from. Speaking of fit, it’s widely noted among fans how well the in-ear tips fit and how snug they feel during wear.
This device is also noted for its sound clarity and noise isolation, which make going on a jog, errands, commuting, or just listening highly enjoyable.
As an added audio enthusiast bonus, there’s an app where you can adjust sound, EQ, volume, and make presets based on your preferences. But there are two caveats—noted in various reviews—the microphone quality is lacking and discerning speech is a little muddy. If you’re on frequent calls, this might give you some pause.
Fit: Extra small to extra large
Ear tips: 5 sizes
Connection type: Bluetooth
Battery life: 8 hours
Customer review - “With the correct tips they work flawlessly. They have a fit process called Real Ear ID (or something like that). The testing will determine the best fit and seal by running those tonal sounds you're used to in hearing test booths.” - Randy
Pros:
- Sound quality
- Noise canceling
- Battery life
Cons:
- Microphone quality
- Speech differentiation
Bose QuietComfort Noise II Canceling Earbuds
Bose QuietComfort Noise II Canceling Earbuds
For a premium product, Bose takes the cake and the price ($299.00). Now, these earbuds are stacked with sound quality—which is superb for any music lover—but the devices only come with three in-ear tips for sizing.
But, the three in-ear tips may not be a total drawback. The earbuds also have small and soft hooks that help secure the bud easily in place.
With many intuitive noise-canceling settings (hence the name, QuietComfort), equal sound representation, and an IPX4 waterproof rating, this set is ideal for everyday usage where music and podcasts are involved (working out, walking, commuting, lounging, travel).
There’s much to love about this device, though some reviewers complained about a hissing or static sound in the earbuds when there is no music or sounds streaming.
Fit: Small, medium, large
Ear tips: 3 sizes
Connection type: Bluetooth
Battery life: 6.5 hours
Customer review - “These have very good ANC. They kind of turn off the outside world and I love it. They also fit my ear really well and do not need constant adjustment at the gym moving around.” - Nathan
Pros:
- Balanced sound
- Noise canceling settings
- Waterproof
Cons:
- 3 ear tip sizes
- Hiss or static noise
