If one earbud sounds quieter than the other, only one side plays, or bass fades, start with fit and balance settings before assuming the earbuds are broken. Check the audio source, reseat each bud, inspect openings for debris, confirm charge and connection, then restart or update using instructions for your exact model.
First, find out whether the problem follows the earbuds
Play another track or try another app. If convenient, connect the earbuds to a second phone or computer. This is a useful comparison, not a guaranteed diagnostic test: if the same bud sounds weak across sources, the cause is more likely to be its fit, condition, or connection. If the issue occurs only with one app or device, check that app’s audio settings and the device’s balance controls first.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Note whether one side is silent, merely quieter, or mainly missing bass. Bass loss can come from a poor seal even when the earbud is playing normally.
Reseat the earbuds and check the seal
Remove and reseat both earbuds, making sure each sits as intended by its manufacturer. For models with removable tips, try the supplied sizes. A comfortably snug seal can improve weak bass and reduce apparent left/right level differences; Sony notes that the best fit can differ between ears for the products covered by its guidance (Sony fit and sound guidance). You may need different tip sizes in each ear.
#1 Best Overall
- JBL Deep Bass Sound: Get the most from your mixes with high-quality audio from secure, reliable earbuds with 8mm drivers featuring JBL Deep Bass Sound
- Comfortable fit: The ergonomic, stick-closed design of the JBL Vibe Beam fits so comfortably you may forget you're wearing them. The closed design excludes external sounds, enhancing the bass performance
- Up to 32 (8h + 24h) hours of battery life and speed charging: With 8 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 24 in the case, the JBL Vibe Beam provide all-day audio. When you need more power, you can speed charge an extra two hours in just 10 minutes.
- Hands-free calls with VoiceAware: When you're making hands-free stereo calls on the go, VoiceAware lets you balance how much of your own voice you hear while talking with others
- Water and dust resistant: From the beach to the bike trail, the IP54-certified earbuds and IPX2 charging case are water and dust resistant for all-day experiences
If a tip is torn, loose, or the wrong shape for your earbud, use only a compatible replacement listed for that exact model. A tip that does not fit securely can affect both comfort and sound.
Center left/right audio balance
A shifted balance setting can make one side seem faulty. Check both the playback device and any companion app for your earbuds; changing one does not necessarily change the other.
Rank #2
- 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.*
- iPhone or iPad with AirPods: open Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual and center the Balance slider. Apple’s instructions and labels may vary by software version (Apple: Adjust audio settings on iPhone).
- Supported Samsung Galaxy Buds: check the Galaxy Wearable app and the phone’s accessibility or hearing settings for left/right balance. The control is not available on every Buds model; consult Samsung’s model-specific steps (Samsung: Galaxy Buds audio and volume troubleshooting).
- Other phones and computers: look in Accessibility, Sound, or Audio settings for a left/right balance control. Menu names and availability depend on the operating system and version.
Inspect speaker openings and clean only as instructed
Look at the speaker mesh, air holes, and removable tips for visible wax, lint, or other blockage. Debris can muffle sound or reduce output on one side. Apple, Samsung, and Sony all identify blocked openings or debris as possible causes of poor sound; their cleaning instructions differ by product (Apple cleaning guidance; Samsung Galaxy Buds cleaning guidance; Sony headphone cleaning guidance).
Use the cleaning method approved for your exact model. Do not push tools into the mesh, remove protective pieces, or assume water, solvents, or household cleaners are safe. If the manual does not clearly permit a method, avoid it.
Rank #3
- Powerful Bass: soundcore P20i true wireless earbuds have oversized 10mm drivers that deliver powerful sound with boosted bass so you can lose yourself in your favorite songs.
- Personalized Listening Experience: Use the soundcore app to customize the controls and choose from 22 EQ presets. With "Find My Earbuds", a lost earbud can emit noise to help you locate it.
- Long Playtime, Fast Charging: Get 10 hours of battery life on a single charge with a case that extends it to 30 hours. If P20i true wireless earbuds are low on power, a quick 10-minute charge will give you 2 hours of playtime.
- Portable On-the-Go Design: soundcore P20i true wireless earbuds and the charging case are compact and lightweight with a lanyard attached. It's small enough to slip in your pocket, or clip on your bag or keys–so you never worry about space.
- AI-Enhanced Clear Calls: 2 built-in mics and an AI algorithm work together to pick up your voice so that you never have to shout over the phone.
Check charging and Bluetooth connection
Confirm that both earbuds charge in the case and that both show as connected on the playback device. If one has stopped connecting reliably, put the earbuds back in the case, check that the case and contacts are clean according to the manual, then reconnect them using the model’s normal procedure. Keep the playback device nearby and move away from likely sources of wireless interference; Bluetooth interference can disrupt communication.
Restart, reconnect, and install supported updates
If fit, balance, and visible blockage are not the cause, use the manufacturer’s instructions to restart or re-couple the earbuds. A reset may remove saved pairing information, so follow the exact model’s steps rather than trying a reset sequence from another product.
Rank #4
- 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.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of 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.*
- Place the earbuds in their case and charge them if needed.
- Restart the phone or computer if the connection or audio still behaves erratically.
- Reconnect or reset the earbuds using the exact model’s official instructions.
- Check the companion app or manufacturer’s support page for a supported earbud software update.
Apple recommends charging and resetting when an AirPod remains silent; Samsung’s troubleshooting includes recoupling, restarting, and checking for updates. The names of settings and reset procedures vary by model and software version (Apple: If your AirPods sound quiet or one side isn’t working; Samsung Galaxy Buds troubleshooting).
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Know when the issue may be your hearing, not the earbuds
Take the earbuds out and listen to ordinary sounds without them. If the imbalance remains, do not assume an earbud setting is responsible. Sudden hearing loss can affect one ear and may be mistaken for a blocked ear or wax. NIDCD says symptoms of sudden deafness should be treated as a medical emergency and assessed immediately (NIDCD: Sudden deafness). NICE guidance for adults in the UK says unexplained hearing loss that developed over three days or less within the past 30 days should be referred immediately for specialist assessment within 24 hours (NICE: Hearing loss in adults). Follow local urgent-care advice; this article cannot diagnose a hearing condition.
Best Value
- LED Power Display and 50H Playback: Dual digital LED power display outside of the case is to show the power level for charging case and earbuds. When charging for the case, the LED light will start to flash from 1 to 100. When you put wireless Bluetooth earbuds into the case, then the Bluetooth earbuds will start charging. The 470mAh battery capacity charging case can provide extra 4 times full charging for both earbuds; each earbud can last 6H on a single charge. So, you can enjoy 50H music time in total by using them in turn
- 2026 Upgraded Bluetooth 5.4 and Ultra-Low Latency: S58 Pro wireless earbuds with mics feature the next-generation Bluetooth 5.4 chip. Compared to version 5.3, it offers 30% lower power consumption and 35% stronger signal penetration. Equipped with a high-sensitivity antenna and a Hall switch, wireless Bluetooth headphones auto-pair as soon as you open the charging case, with a stable connection within 15 meters. Whether you're gaming or binge-watching, enjoy smooth, flawlessly synced audio
- Hi-Fi Stereo and 4 ENC Mics: The wireless earbuds feature triple-layer 13mm coil dynamic drivers and a polymer diaphragm, resulting in sufficiently strong bass that naturally connects to the mid and high frequencies, supporting AAC/SBC audio coding technology and Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Audio technology. Noise Cancelling Earbuds adopt a 4-mic design and ENC noise cancelling technology that picks up your voice precisely and blocks out 80% background noise, providing a crystal clear call experience
- Smart Touch Control and Wide Compatibility: These wireless Bluetooth earbuds feature a high-precision touch sensor, offering greater accuracy than similar products. A simple tap allows you to control playback/pause, volume, song switching, calls, and voice assistants, minimizing accidental touches. The in-ear running headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops, and connect effortlessly with Android 4.4, iOS 8.0 and above, or Bluetooth 4.0 and above
- Ergonomic and IPX7 Waterproof: Thanks to an ultra-light nano coating, these wireless Bluetooth earbuds are IPX7 waterproof and dustproof—perfect for workouts or outdoor adventures. The ergonomic in-ear design provides a secure, comfortable fit while keeping outside noise out, letting you immerse yourself fully in your music
When to contact the manufacturer or seek service
If one side remains weak or silent after model-approved checks, contact the manufacturer or an authorized service provider. Damage, liquid exposure, or a persistent fault may require service; cleaning or resetting cannot be assumed to repair a hardware problem. Use the official support route for your model and region.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
