Although Apple's Airpods deliver good sound quality, most users rarely get to enjoy it. This is because the earbud tips come with smooth plastic rather than silicone, thus making it a bit challenging for the gadgets to stay in their ears securely. Unfortunately, a loose fit means no noise isolation, so audio quality dramatically suffers.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your Airpods' fit. Here's everything you need to know about keeping your Airpods from falling out.
Why the Airpods Keep Falling Out
When you purchase the AirPods pro, constant dropping is one of the last things you'd expect. Unlike their silicone-free siblings, Airpods Pro has proven to fit better and feel more comfortable. However, you might still find yourself experiencing this annoying menace. Possible reasons behind it include the following.
You're Incorrectly Wearing Them
If you hook your AirPods with the stem facing downwards, then they most definitely won't fit. To properly wear them, you first have to insert the stem into your ears. Then, twist the Airpods until they're directly aligned with your jawline. This should help them become a bit stable.
Alternatively, you can use waterproof tape to add some friction to your ears. The waterproof tape will assist in keeping the AirPods in the ears when you get sweaty. All you need to do is apply the strips at the center, above and underneath the AirPods, and you're good to go. Nexcare Absolute Waterproof First Aid Tape is an ideal choice if you want to purchase a quality waterproof tape.
Dirt on the AirPods and Sweaty Ears
Over time, dirt can build up on your AirPods, especially after long periods of use. This accumulation will eventually cause your wireless headphones to become loose on your ears. Other culprits here include earwax and sweat.
That said, it's always wise to clean your ears before wearing Airpods. Also, don't go to the gym or tackle other workout sessions wearing your Airpods. Instead, opt for over-the-ear headphones made for physical activities.
Wrong Fit
One of the main reasons why your earbuds keep falling off is because they might be bigger or smaller than your ear. Generally, Apple went above and beyond to design their Airpods to fit up to 90% of their customers. Yes, this is a considerable number, but it leaves 10% of the customers unsatisfied and struggling in terms of fitness and comfort.
Remember, everyone has their own unique ear shape and size. So, perhaps this one-size-fits-all approach is one of Apple's largest flaws.
Making the AirPods Fit Better
Finding out that your AirPods don't properly fit in your ear is a frustrating experience, especially if you've spent a fortune of your hard-earned money on them. Luckily, there are various easy and quick solutions on how to keep Apple Airpods in-ear. To ensure you have a remarkable experience with the Airpods, below are possible fixes to consider.
Flipping and Swapping
Wearing the AirPods upside down, as some runners have discovered, is a viable solution. Also, swapping, i.e., switching the right ear side AirPod with the left one or vice versa, is a practical alternative. But keep in mind that this solution is primarily applicable in AirPods Pro.
Plus, ensuring that the stem of the AirPods Pro is vertically straight upon switching can significantly help prevent ear fatigue. This method helps alleviate pressure and pain when you wear the AirPods pro over extended periods.
Use of Memory Foam Tips
Apple tried to address their problem by introducing silicone tips on Airpods Pro. While this somehow solved the problem of earbuds falling off, they birthed a couple of new issues: they were slippery and prone to accumulating dirt.
So, why not switch to a reliable tip for your device?
Unlike most silicone tips, memory foam tips quickly adapt to your ear's shape and size, thus offering a more sealed fit. And since there are many types of memory foam tips in the market currently, it's better to purchase a multi-pack consisting of three sizes, i.e., S, M, and L., so that you can easily find the right fit for each ear as per your preference.
But why a memory foam ear tip? Well, for starters, materials used in making the silicone tips render them slippery. Also, you'll have to "deep clean" them since they easily collect earwax at the tip.
A notable advantage of using memory foam tips is that they contour to the shape of ears. That is, as long as you wear them correctly on your ears. With memory foam tips, you're sure to have a fantastic experience and ear fatigue elevation, especially when you wear your AirPods pro for a long time.
Third-Party Accessories That Can Help Keep Airpods from Falling Out
If you try all the tricks but still your Airpods keep falling out, you can consider third-party accessories to make them fit better. These include;
DamonLight AirPod Covers
These covers are among the best accessories that aid in preventing the AirPods from falling out. Materials used to make them consist of anti-slip silicone that makes your devices fit better by adding grip and friction. What's more, they give your AirPods a better sound quality.
They bear a comfortable fit in the ears when worn together with the AirPods. So, you can feel a boost in your self-esteem and confidence when walking around with them.
These covers work spectacularly with the charging case of the AirPods. Being one of the few accessories capable of fitting in the charging case, it'd be better if you considered purchasing them. A notable advantage is a one-time load. So, you won't have to constantly remove or put them back whenever you want to use them.
Sound Round Ear Covers
These AirPods covers are an ideal option if you're looking for a quick and straightforward solution. Surprisingly, they date back to the olden days when old wired earphones were common. But still, they are compatible with AirPods. At an affordable price, you can get a 25 pack of these fuzzy foam earphone covers.
They're easy to put on and will add more comfort and grip to your ears. That's if the spacing between your ear canal and the AirPods isn't so large. And just as the DamonLight AirPods covers, they work well with the AirPods charging case.
Ear Skins 2
Ear skins 2.0 are by far the best accessories that provide the apple AirPods with great sounding. Their design also improves the AirPods' sound quality than a majority of AirPods accessories. They add some padding around the AirPods' speaker parts that goes directly into your ear canal, thus producing a base-enhanced rich sound. Although they provide the utmost comfort to your ears, they don't work well with the charging cases of the AirPods
AhaSound Hooks
These ear hooks will work great for you if you prefer accessories that deliver an in-ear earphone style. With their sizes, it's apparent that they're not compatible with AirPods Pro cases. But they're comfortable when worn on the ears, especially inside your ear canals.
They have a chic design, and their silicone material makes them soft and durable for Airpods users. They come in three packs and different colors, giving you a more comprehensive option to choose from. In addition, Ahasound Hooks makes for a good fit, except that you'll also have to solve another significant noise-related problem with your AirPods.
EarBuddyz Ear Hooks
The Ear Buddyz 2.0 is one of the most highly rated and most durable accessories on the market today. Their perfect design is tailor-made to work well with apple AirPods without interfering with the functionality of the sensors. Besides, the design of the hook at the top enables it to fit over your ear canal, giving more grip.
So, no matter how vigorously you move, you don't have to worry about your AirPods falling out. The materials making up the ear hooks consist of anti-slip silicon similar to ear covers to provide maximum comfort to the ear canals.
How to Keep AirPods Clean
Apart from excellent fitting, it's crucial to watch out for your ears' health by adequately cleaning or disinfecting the Apple Airpods. Precaution: do this every time you lend them out to someone to avoid transferring bacteria. Basic cleaning such as wiping might not effectively eliminate the earwax that builds up over time in the grills. Also, don't use a cloth or a soaking wet wipe when cleaning the Apple AirPods.
Using toothpicks and fun-tacks is the most efficient way of cleaning. However, this cleaning technique requires a gentle touch to avoid damaging your Airpods. But, how should you go about it?
Press a warm tuck onto the hollow speaker and then withdraw it to remove dirt stuck in the mesh. Proceed with a toothpick to gently remove the hardened particles that didn't come off. After that, you can use a toothbrush and 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove the remaining dirt particles. Note that failure to clean the AirPods properly can ruin the active noise cancellation and sound quality as well.
Final Thoughts
To get the most out of your AirPods, try using them as designated by the manufacturer, i.e., correctly wearing the AirPods in your ears. With countless third-party accessory solutions and various alternatives to wearing Airpods, there's no need to wait for the company's first-part solution. You can now walk, work out, and even run without having to worry about your device falling.
Do your Airpods fall out easily? Feel free to tell us what fixes worked for you in the comment section below.
