The Tool Desk
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Headphone settings are spread across a few menus rather than gathered on one universal page. Use Bluetooth or connected-device settings to pair headphones, Sound or Output settings to choose where audio plays, Accessibility settings for hearing features and channel balance, and a manufacturer’s app for model-specific controls.
Choose the menu based on what you want to change
- Pair, connect, or remove headphones: Open Bluetooth or Connected devices.
- Choose where sound plays: Open Sound or Output, or use the active media controls.
- Change hearing accessibility or left-right balance: Look in Accessibility audio settings.
- Adjust an equalizer, touch control, or other headphone-specific feature: Check whether the manufacturer provides an app for your model.
If the menu name on your device differs, search Settings for “Bluetooth,” “Sound,” or the specific feature. Labels and availability can vary by operating-system version and device maker.
Where to find headphone settings on iPhone and iPad
Hearing adjustments, mono audio, and balance
Pair your headphones, then go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Headphone Accommodations. Apple says this feature can adjust selected frequencies and amplify soft sounds on supported Apple and Beats headphones. The Phone and Media switches control whether the adjustments apply to calls or media. See Apple’s iPhone guide to Headphone Accommodations and Apple’s setup instructions.
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For mono audio or left-right balance, open Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual. Apple also documents a Control Center shortcut for Headphone Accommodations in its iPhone guide.
#1 Best Overall
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Where to find headphone settings in Windows
Connect or manage headphones
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices to connect, remove, or manage headphones. Microsoft documents these device-management steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11, although menu names and layouts can vary. See Microsoft’s Windows device-management guidance.
Select the audio output
To choose which device plays audio, open Settings > System > Sound and select your headphones under Output. Some advanced sound properties appear only after the headphones are connected. Microsoft’s Windows sound troubleshooting guidance covers these output settings.
Rank #2
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with Lightning Connector also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a Lightning connector and support iOS 10 or later, including iPod touch, iPad, and iPhone. Also works with iPad models with iPadOS.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Where to find headphone settings on Android and Pixel
Sound and active audio output
Android menus vary by manufacturer. On Pixel, broader audio options are under Settings > Sound & vibration; the volume panel’s media controls let you check or change the active output. Google notes that steps may differ across Android devices, so use Settings search if these labels are not present. See Google’s Pixel sound settings help.
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On Pixel 3 and later, and selected other Android devices, open Settings > Accessibility > Sound Amplifier. Google documents support for wired and Bluetooth headphones, but warns that some Bluetooth headphones may have delayed or lower-quality audio when used with Sound Amplifier. See Google’s Sound Amplifier help.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Audio switching and Multipoint
For compatible headphones, open Settings > Connected devices, then tap the settings button beside the headphone name to look for Audio switch or Multipoint. These options depend on headphone capability and Android or Google account requirements; they are connection features, not general sound-quality controls. Google explains the requirements in its Audio switch and Multipoint help.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When to use a headphone manufacturer’s app
A companion app may offer controls that are not in the phone or computer’s general settings, such as an equalizer or headphone-specific feature. For example, Microsoft documents equalizer controls for Surface Headphones in the Surface app. The available controls and exact app path depend on the headphone generation and whether the app is running on Windows, iOS, or Android. See Microsoft’s Surface Headphones settings guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![2 Pack [Apple MFi Certified] Wired Headphones for iPhone 14 13 12 Pro Max](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31ueJW0hVnL._SL160_.jpg)
- 【Wired Earbuds for iPhone 14 13 12】 Compatibility with lightning devices, including iPhone 14/14 Plus/14 Pro/14 Pro Max/13/13 Mini/13 Pro/13 Pro Max/12/12 Mini/12 Pro/12 Pro Max/11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/SE/XS/XS Max/X/XR/8/8 Plus/7/7 Plus and more lightning devices. Designed specifically for iPhone iPad series with Lightning Audio Port, with built-in decoding chip, perfectly support with all iOS systems.
- 【Remote and Microphone】 The buit-in remote in the iPhone 14 Pro Headphons wired lets you adjust the volume, control the playback, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord. The speakers inside maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, provide you high-quality audio.
- 【High-Quality Sound】 The iPhone Earbuds wired uses 100% copper core to provide lossless digital sound quality, supports 48KHz and 24-bit audio output, ensuring sound transmission stability and fidelity, allowing you to better immerse yourself in the world of music during exercise
- 【Ergonomic Design】 Ergonomic noise reduction in-ear headphones for iPhone 14 13 12, using high-quality materials, minimize the noise in the surrounding environment, and bring you a better music experience. It is suitable for your daily work, study, and sports use. Wearing it for a long time will not make you feel uncomfortable in your ears.
- 【What You Get】 2 Pack Wired Headphones for iPhone 14 13 12 11 Pro Max, a 36-month worry-free warranty and 24/7 friendly customer service. Any questions about the apple iphone headphones wired, please feel free to contact us and we will reply within 12 hours.
Rank #4
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
If you cannot find the setting
- Connect the headphones first; some output and advanced sound options appear only for a connected device.
- Search Settings for the feature name or for “Bluetooth,” “Sound,” or “Accessibility.”
- Check the device maker’s instructions when Android labels differ or a control appears to be model-specific.
- Confirm that the headphones support the feature. Some accessibility and connection controls are limited to particular models.
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