If your AirPods won't stay put, you can fix the fit with a few simple, affordable accessories.
I've always struggled with earbuds fitting properly. For years, the only ones I could reliably use were the $10 JVC Marshmallows, while everything else either fell out or hurt my ears.
When AirPods launched, I knew they wouldn't work for me. Apple's previously-included-in-the-box EarPods didn't work at all — so I skipped AirPods.
But AirPods Pro tempted me — I was sure that they would work, even though history suggested they wouldn't. So I made a expensive purchase that ultimately lead to a few more very expensive purchases.
I loved transparency mode and ANC that didn't cause stabbing ear pain, but they still fell out whenever I talked on the phone. Your ear canal shifts when you move your mouth, which meant I spent calls shoving them back in.
My "solution" was dropping $550 on AirPods Max, which felt very "throwing good money after bad." To their credit, I do use my AirPods Max nearly every day, but I don't like to wear them out.
I eventually did wind up buying the second-gen AirPods Pro. Fortunately, with the addition of the XS ear tip, they actually stay in my ears nearly all of the time.
And it only took a cool $1,000 to find this out. Or, you know, I could have spent about eight minutes seeing if there was a better solution that cost a fraction of what I paid.
So, dear reader, feel free to benefit from these incredibly easy, incredibly cheap solutions. At least before you throw your AirPods away or throw your hands up and buy AirPods Max.
AirPods Pro 2 - Double check your tip fit
I know this is an easy fix, but there's a good chance you might not have tried it. And there's a non-zero chance that you might need two different-sized ear tips.
As it turns out, that was my issue. I just needed to size down my left AirPod Pro tip.
By sizing down, it naturally sits a bit deeper in my ear, which means it no longer makes a break for it the second I say more than four words in a row.
Apple Tip Fit Check
If you haven't done so, I suggest doing the AirPods Pro 2 fit test by following the steps:
- With your AirPods Pro in your ears, open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
- Tap Bluetooth
- Tap the More Info button next to your AirPods in list of devices
- Tap Ear Tip Fit Test
If the test says your size is wrong, don't immediately assume it is. Sometimes a simple readjustment is all that it takes — just reposition them and try one more time.
If it still doesn't pass the test, try sizing up or down. Remember, a poor fit on the test doesn't mean that that your ear tip is too small. It might actually be too big, causing the AirPod to sit too far outside of your ear.
AirPods - Silicone covers
The smooth plastic of AirPods, while pretty, isn't exactly conducive to staying in place.
Not to mention, AirPods aren't technically IEMs (in-ear monitors, the fancy term for earbuds). They're a half-step between on-ear headphones and IEMs. This means there's a good chance that they might not sit right.
These silicone tip covers are charging-case compatible
But, if you feel like you can almost wear them without fear of them falling out, there's an extremely cheap solution. You just put a thin silicone cover over the part that sits "in" your ear.
The extra grip of the silicone is surprisingly effective at keeping them in place. Lots of people have said that this alone has fixed their problem.
And the best part, you can find them for as low as $8.99 on Amazon — just make sure you buy the right ones for your specific AirPods.
If you want a little extra insurance, there are silicone covers with additional pieces that tuck into your cymba concha — that's the name for the cartilaginous pocket just above your ear canal.
This is ideal for people who want to wear their AirPods while at the gym, or just don't want to drop your AirPods in the sink while doing the dishes. The one downside, though, is that they will need to be removed before charging, unlike the ones listed above.
This pack comes with four pairs of ear tips and a cleaning kit, all for $9.99
Any in-ear AirPods - Over-ear hooks
Taking a cue from sports headphones, there are a fair number of over-the-ear ear hooks available for your AirPods. These are great because they work for both AirPods and AirPods Pro, as they just slip around the stem.
This is probably the best choice for anyone who wants to wear their AirPods to the gym. While these may not stop your AirPods from falling out, it will stop them from falling to the floor and bouncing under the treadmill or weight machine.
Ear hooks for AirPods and AirPods Pro
Again, the downside is that they aren't charging-case compatible. Every time you want to charge your AirPods, you'll need to remove them from the hooks.
But, if the alternative is that your AirPod falls down a storm drain on your afternoon job, the 10 seconds of inconvenience is probably worth it.
DamonLight makes a highly rated ear hook, and you can get two pairs for $8.99 As a bonus, they're also available in white, black, and pink.
Strings, straps, and cords
When all else fails, you can just turn your wireless earbuds into wired-wireless earbuds. There are a number of ways you can accomplish this task.
One of the most popular is a set of silicone cords that you can slip your AirPods into. They feature magnets to clip them together when your AirPods aren't in your ears, minimizing the risk that you'll also lose the cord.
Magnetic AirPod strap
You can pick up a pair on Amazon starting at $6.99. It's worth clicking through the options, though, as the seller also offers multi-packs and bundles with ear hooks.
If you're looking for a bit of a classier option, there are also a number of AirPod chains. These are designed to look more like jewelry, which is nice if you're not into the whole silicone band look.
You can find them readily on both Amazon and Etsy. This delicate gold-toned one, for example, retails for $16.99.
AirPods necklace
Some versions are designed to work as earrings. This one for pierced ears starts at $13.99, while a clip-on version can be purchased for $15.99.
