This article will give you 8 useful tips which you can use to greatly extend the life of your earbuds, thus getting the maximal possible value from your purchase. Keep in mind that it takes up to a month to establish a new habit, but, once you do, it will stay with you for a very long time.
Keep the Jack Unplugged
A faulty headphone jack is one of the most common reasons why people return their headphones or throw them straight into the garbage. What happens is that the repeated stress damages the cables inside, which causes music to skip or not play at all. This often happens because people leave their earbuds plugged into their smartphones as they go about their daily business.
You should always keep the jack unplugged and safely store your earbuds inside a protective case. If you don’t have one, at least, wrap the earbuds in such a way that they won’t tangle.
Get a Headphone Case
Most midrange and high-end earbuds come with their own protective case. These cases can be either soft or hard and are made from a variety of materials. They isolate the earbuds from their surroundings, thus minimizing the damage that can be caused by friction. Hard-shell cases provide additional impact resistance, but they also add some bulk.
Use the Right Cable Length
A cable that’s neither too long nor too short increases comfort and durability. Long cables can get caught into something and short cables put extra stress on the audio jack, due to excessive tugging on the cable. The best option is to buy headphones with removable cable and purchase an appropriate long cable for your height.
Don’t Pull on the Cable
It may be tempting to save yourself a second or two and unplug the cable by pulling directly on it. By doing so, you risk damaging the audio jack and making your earbuds useless. We advise you to take your time and always grab the plug itself.
Avoid Sitting on Your Earbuds
You have your smartphone in the left pocket, keys in the right one; where do you put your earbuds? In the back pocket. Five minutes pass by, your mind preoccupied with something else and the weight of your body crushing your new, expensive earbuds. That doesn’t sound like something you would want to experience, does it?
Water Is Your Enemy
Sophisticated electronic devices and water don’t mix. That’s true even when it comes to many “waterproof” earbuds and headphones. They might take the occasional splash of water, but anything beyond that is a pure gamble. Resist the temptation to use your expensive headphones for exercise or outdoor use. Instead, get a cheaper backup plan that you wouldn’t miss.
Quality over Quantity
High quality pays off over time. Sure, you may save a few buck today by purchasing a cheap pair of headphones, but chances are that you will have to replace them much sooner than a well-constructed model.
Add Shrink Wrap for Reinforcement
Shrink wrap costs just a few cents per centimeter and can be used as a very effective stress reliever for the cable. All you need to do is slide it into the desired place, apply some heat, and voilà – you’ve just dressed your earbuds in a protective armor.
