Wearing Comfort: Mastering the Art of Over-Ear Headphone Adjustment

Ear Cup Extension

There is no standard for how big or small a pair of headphones should be, and not all manufacturers choose designs that offer ample ear cup extension. Several problems arise if the cups are too short to properly fit on or over your ears. Cups (on-ear in particular) that can’t reach down far enough press the ears against the head. This constant force on soft tissue areas quickly leads to soreness if you wear glasses because the hard stem is in the middle.

Over-ear cups should have a complete, comfortable seal around the ears, which is vital for the headphones’ best audio quality. Over-ear cups with insufficient vertical reach can leave a gap around your earlobes, between your skin and the cushioning. If it’s significant, expect a negative effect on the music reproduction and isolation properties of the headphones.

If over-ear cups are too short for your head shape and size, you might feel inclined to squash the headband to force the fit. Not only is this a temporary, fussy solution, but you may end up feeling the weight on the top of your head.

When choosing headphones, pick ones that center the cups over your ears without being fully extended (if possible). The extra slack gives you a little leeway for easy adjustment. You can slide the band forward or back across the top of your head to relocate pressure or find the sweet spot based on how you’re positioned—sitting upright or leaning up against a pillow.

Although uncommon, you may come across headphones that are too big, even when the ear cups are set to their shortest. These are best to avoid ​in most situations unless you prefer sitting perfectly still to balance or constantly push the headphones back into place.

Clamping Force

The clamping force determines how snug the headphones fit against your face. A visual inspection won’t help since the only way to gauge clamping force is by wearing them.

Testing the clamping force shows you where the pressure points lie, no matter how thick the ear cushions are. If it’s too much, you might feel like your head has been placed in a vice, particularly if you wear glasses. If the clamping force is too light, the headphones are likely to slip off and fall with the slightest nod or turn of the head.

Ideally, you want headphones that deliver an even amount of clamping force throughout all contact made by the ear pads. If the cushions press harder at the temples (or any soft tissue) than they do anywhere else, you can expect that area to fatigue faster. Take extra care if you wear piercings, which can experience heightened sensitivity to direct pressure.

If you can, wear the headphones for 30 minutes or more. Anyone can sustain discomfort for brief bursts, but you’ll want to see how comfortable you feel after an extended period without any breaks.

Some headphones require a little time to be “broken in.” Products tend to be stiff right out of the retail packaging, so stretching the headphones can speed up the process to relax the materials. Find a large ball or box (similar or larger than your head size) to place the headphones on, and leave it like that for a day or two.

Some headphone models allow for permanent manual headband adjustment as long as you’re gentle. Proceed with care because many have rigid construction and little or no flexibility.

Ear Cup Rotation

Earcup rotation goes hand-in-hand with the clamping force to conform to the face’s natural contours and deliver even pressure. You can find headphones with varying degrees of lateral or vertical movement, so it’s worth paying attention to the product design.

Headphones with completely fixed ear cups offer the least amount of wiggle room. If the top or front sides of the ear cushions press harder against your head than the bottom or rear sides, there’s little you can do.

Some headphones feature ear cups that swivel and lie down flat. While this design is ideal for compact travel purposes (although earbuds are usually best), it also affects the ease of comfort. Ears and faces tend to taper, so ear cups with a more extensive range of lateral motion can adjust to individuals front to back.

Some headphones have ear cups that rotate vertically—often because of a hinged design. The vertical movement helps the cushions press snugly and evenly around the tops and bottoms of your ears. You can find headphones with both lateral and vertical rotation, which are likely to be the most comfortable right from the start.

When shopping for comfortable headphones, look for ones that have ear cups with some freedom of movement—even a little can go a long way. Such designs help sustain a clamping force that won’t focus on specific areas of skin, which lead to discomfort, fatigue, or soreness.

Remember that headphones can have fixed ear cups and still be comfortable to wear. Those with flexible headbands can provide the desired vertical and lateral mobility. Ultimately, you want ear cups that feel natural and cozy as they maintain firm yet even contact against your head.

Ear Cup Depth and Size

Although the depth and size of ear cups matter more in over-ear than on-ear headphones, they matter. If over-ear cups and cushions are shallow, your ears may touch or rub up against the insides. It might be a nuisance or even a deal-breaker. Typically, headphone manufacturers place thin fabric over the metal or plastic that houses the drivers. Don’t count on having a plush interior for your sensitive skin.

The size and shape of over-ear cups can be equally important. If you’ve ever worn shoes too small for your feet, you understand how uncomfortable it can be to cram ears into tiny spaces. Even soft leather cushions can feel abrasive over time through constant rubbing by moving. Those with piercings can also be subject to more irritation from claustrophobic-sized ear cups.

Most over-ear cups/cushions are one of three shapes: circle, oval, and D. Though ears are round, circular cups/cushions are the most compatible. They usually offer ample room, and you don’t need to worry about angling the headphones. Oval and D-shaped cups/cushions tend to be trickier and more particular; they may not always align with the direction of ears.

Most headphones present ear cups that maintain a straight line with the headband, even though most humans don’t have ears that sit entirely vertical. However, you can find some headphone designs, such as the Phiaton BT460, which consider natural anatomy.

On-ear headphones can be easier to deal with since there’s no concern over the depth of the cups. You need to decide if the size of the pads matter or not. Larger on-ear cups/cushions spread the clamping force over a greater area of skin but leave less room for adjustment. Smaller on-ear cups/cushions are easier to move around for comfort but focus more directly on those particular spots.

Cushioning and Headbands

Lastly, consider the quantity and quality of cushioning on both the ear cups and the headband. For over-ear headphones, the shape and size of the pads on the cups contribute to the overall depth and space available for ears.

Thin cushions leave little room to keep ears from touching the hardware and feel less plush against the head. Thicker ones are more comfortable, but they could put a bit of a squeeze around your ears. For on-ear headphones, the amount of cushioning is directionally proportional to comfort. Either way, it takes wearing the headphones to know.

The cushioning material makes a difference, too. Memory foam is commonly used for its supple-soft springiness and breathability. Keep in mind that not all memory foam is created equally, and it is made in various densities. Then you have the standard everyday foam, which offers less support and tends to squash down flat over time. While this type of foam may be OK to use with headbands (depending on the style), it’s best to avoid it for ear cushions. It doesn’t hold up.

While most headbands incorporate foam under a polyester fabric, nylon mesh, or leather (natural or synthetic), some headphones skip it entirely. You might come across headphones that line headbands with a layer of squishy silicone. Other headphones, such as the Plantronics BackBeat Sense, incorporate a leather-wrapped elastic and silicone pad below the metal band. The former maintains soft contact with the head, and the latter provides structural support and clamping force.

Actual headband padding tends to be less important with lighter headphones, especially ones designed with comfort in mind. It’s the heavier headphones—typically the larger over-ears—that you’ll want to look at more closely.

There is an unspoken balancing act between clamping force and headband cushioning. The more clamping force holding the headphones in place generally means less weight will bear down on your head, eliminating the need for thicker cushioning. The reverse of that also holds true.

When in doubt—or deciding between a pair of close contenders—go for the one with the thicker foam. Just make sure there is sufficient padding to make full contact with your head, as anything extra is only for looks.

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