Headphone Test
Not sure if both sides of your headphones work? This free headphone test plays sound in your left ear, your right ear or both, so you can spot a dead or swapped side in seconds. Run a bass test from 20 to 200 Hz, sweep the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, or play single bass tones. It works with headphones, earbuds and wired earphones.
Turn the volume down first
Test tones are close to your ears. Set your volume to about 30 percent before you start, then raise it slowly if you need to.
How to Test Left and Right Headphones
A left right headphone test takes less than a minute. Follow these steps with your headphones on and the volume low.
Put them on correctly
Check the small L and R marks and wear the headphones or earbuds on the right ears.
Look for L and RStart with low volume
Set the volume to about 30 percent. You can turn it up after the first beep.
Protect your earsTap Left, then Right
The beeps should move from one ear to the other. Tap Both to hear them in the middle.
4 seconds eachRun the sweeps
Play the bass sweep and the full range sweep and listen for crackles or a side that drops out.
10 to 15 secondsEarbuds and Earphone Test
This earbuds test and earphone test use the same tool. What you should check is a little different for wireless earbuds and wired earphones.
Wireless earbuds
Bluetooth, true wirelessWired earphones
3.5 mm, USB-C or LightningRun this headphone sound test after cleaning your earbuds too. Our guide on how to clean earbuds shows the safe way.
Bass Test for Headphones
The bass test plays a sweep from 20 to 200 Hz and three single bass tones. It shows how deep your headphones can go and if anything rattles. It also works as a quick subwoofer test for a speaker system.
Start the bass test20 to 60 Hz: sub bass
You feel this range more than you hear it. Big headphones play it, small earbuds often fade out below 40 Hz.
Sub bass tone at 30 Hz60 to 120 Hz: punch
This is the kick drum and bass guitar range. Every pair of headphones should play it clearly.
Bass tone at 60 HzListen for rattle or buzz
A rattle at the same point every time often means a loose part or a damaged driver on that side.
Compare left and rightFit changes everything
Earbuds lose most of their bass when they do not seal well. Try a bigger ear tip and run the bass test again.
Check the sealOne Side Not Working? Common Fixes
If the headphone test shows that one side is silent, quiet or swapped, go through these fixes in order. Tick each one as you try it.
FAQs
Quick answers about testing headphones, earbuds and earphones.
Check the balance slider and Mono Audio first, then try the headphones on another device.
Go to the toolPut your headphones on the right ears and set a low volume. Tap Left and listen for beeps in your left ear only, then tap Right. If the sound comes from the wrong side, the sides are swapped. If you hear it in both ears, check that Mono Audio is off.
Very low tones are hard to hear, and most earbuds and small headphones cannot play much below 30 to 40 Hz. Not hearing the start of the bass sweep is normal. Bigger over-ear headphones usually go deeper.
Yes. Play the bass sweep or the single bass tones through a speaker system with a subwoofer. The subwoofer should take over smoothly in the low range without buzzing or rattling.
The other earbud may have a flat battery, a lost Bluetooth connection or a blocked mesh. Charge both buds, put them back in the case, pair them again and clean the mesh. Then run the headphone test again.
Other Tools
Every tool runs in your browser on iPhone, Android and desktop. No app, no sign up.
Check both sides of your headphones in a minute.
Tap Left and Right, then run the bass and full range sweeps. Free and in your browser.