When Should AirPods Owners Replace Their Ear Tips?

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When brand new, nothing beats the convenience and sheer enjoyment of finding the perfect pair of AirPods. However, if you want to keep that experience enjoyable, there's also some regular care and maintenance you'll need to perform, particularly for the ear tips. When should you replace the tips, and how can you keep them fresh for as long as possible? The answers you're looking for depend largely on how you use them.

Some users only occasionally wear their earbuds during a work commute, and for these people, the tips can generally last for a year. Other people keep them in so much that they're practically a new body part, and for these users (especially those working out with them), damage can start showing up around the four-month mark. A rule of thumb: if you notice that one earbud sounds better, starts slipping out frequently, or you spot visible damage, time for a new set of tips.

Of course, proper maintenance can extend the lifespan of AirPods ear tips. No need to go gung-ho and clean them obsessively after each use — a weekly scrub can make all the difference. Even when the tips are too worn or dirty, replacing them is super simple, and getting two pairs of replacement tips directly from Apple is surprisingly cheap at $9.99 per set.

Not only are AirPods an overlooked environmental problem, but they can also cause health problems if not cared for properly. Our ears produce a whole lot of earwax, so cleaning the tips is also a great way to keep bacteria from entering your ear canal (no one wants to deal with a surprise ear infection). Now, you may be tempted to go overboard with things that kill germs, but avoid using rough chemical cleaners like rubbing alcohol, as these can destroy the silicone. Instead, good old warm water will do.

Remove each ear tip by pinching the base of the tip and detaching it. Then, soak them in a bit of warm water for a few minutes. If you skipped the regular cleaning and the tips are coated in hardened earwax, add a bit of dish soap to remove all the scum. Once they're squeaky clean, just dry them off and put them back on your AirPods, and you're done.

What about replacing the tips? Even easier. Hit Amazon and get a set of replacement ear tips for your exact model of AirPods (this is important as sizes vary across different generations). Inesore's set is a solid option. You get four replacement pairs and even a nifty cleaning pen for just $7.99. Alternatively, you can get tips straight from Apple for $2 extra. That's it — pop them on, and you get six months of clear ANC audio and earbud nirvana.