First-Day Setup for Refurbished Noise-Cancelling Headphones

A pair of refurbished headphones is only as good as the setup you give it. Spend twenty minutes on day one and you'll know the pair is in good shape, it'll feel fresh, and you can stop thinking about it. This is the routine we'd follow with any pre-owned over-ear pair, using Sony's flagship noise-cancelling range as the example.

Step 1: Give them a proper once-over

Before you pair anything, take the headphones out and look them over in good light. Check the headband, the hinges and the ear cushions. Refurbished gear is graded for cosmetic condition, so light wear is normal, but you want to see that nothing is cracked and that the arms slide and fold smoothly.

Take a look at a pair like the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones (Good, Refurbished). A grade of Good tells you to expect some minor cosmetic signs of use, so a few scuffs on the band shouldn't surprise you.

Step 2: Clean the contact points

Even a pair that has been professionally refurbished benefits from a quick wipe-down on arrival.

• Use a soft, slightly damp microfibre cloth on the ear cushions and headband. Don't soak them.
• Dry a small cotton bud and use it on the seams and the speaker grilles. Be gentle.
• Leave the cushions to air-dry before you put the headphones on.
• Skip alcohol wipes and harsh cleaners, as they can dry out and crack synthetic leather.

Step 3: Charge before you pair

Plug in using a good USB-C cable and let the headphones charge fully before the first proper session. A full first charge makes it easier to tell how they behave day to day. If you need a spare cable, the Telstra USB-C to USB-C Cable 1m is a handy one to keep at your desk. Check your headphones' charging port and the manual before assuming any cable will do.

Step 4: Pair them cleanly

Here is the step people most often miss with pre-owned electronics: clear out any old pairing information so the headphones start fresh.

1. Turn Bluetooth on on your phone or laptop.
2. Put the headphones in pairing mode. Hold the power button until you hear the voice prompt or see the indicator flash. The exact timing varies by model, so check the manual if it doesn't work the first time.
3. Select the headphones from your device's Bluetooth list and confirm.
4. Delete old entries. If you see another device name that isn't yours in the headphones' pairing list, consult the manual and reset them to factory settings before carrying on.

A factory reset is worth doing on any pre-owned pair. It clears stored settings so you're starting from a blank slate.

Step 5: Update the firmware and customise

Install Sony's companion app (Sony | Headphones Connect) and check for a firmware update. Updates can fix bugs and improve connection stability, and it's far easier to do on day one than months later.

While you're in the app, take a minute to:

• Try the different noise-cancelling and ambient sound modes, so you know what each one is for.
• Adjust the equaliser to your taste. Flat is a perfectly good place to start.
• Set up the touch controls or buttons so they do what you want them to.

Not sure which size or style suits you?

If you're deciding between older and newer models, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones (Acceptable, Refurbished) follow the same setup steps. The main difference is the cosmetic grade: Acceptable means you should expect more visible wear than a Good or Pristine unit. If you'd rather something smaller for commuting, true wireless earbuds such as the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 FE need much the same routine of cleaning, resetting and pairing.

Keeping them in good shape

Once you're up and running, a few habits will keep them feeling like new:

• Store them in their case. Throwing them in a bag loose is how headbands get bent and cushions get squashed.
• Don't leave them in a hot car. Heat is hard on batteries and adhesives.
• Avoid draining the battery to zero. Charging a little and often is gentler than running them flat each time.
• Wipe the cushions weekly. Sweat and skin oils break down the material over time.
• Fold and unfold gently. Hinges are the part that wears first.

The short version

Inspect, clean, charge, reset and pair, update, then tweak the settings. It takes less time than a coffee break, and you'll know your headphones are set up properly and ready for years of listening.