Small ears can make AirPods slip, but the fixes are simple: new tip sizes, ear hooks or foam tips, most under $30.
If AirPods keep falling out of your ears, the fix may be cheap and simple. Depending on the model, you can swap ear tip sizes, add a small hook accessory or try foam tips. People with small ears often need a little extra work to get a snug fit, and most of the add-ons cost between $10 and $30.
Ear shape varies from person to person. Even your own two ears can differ, so you might need a different tip size in each one. A tight fit helps music playback, bass and noise cancellation. A loose fit lets in more outside noise and makes it more likely that the earbuds fall out during a workout.
Apple sells two models right now. AirPods 5 are solid earbuds with no ear tips. AirPods Pro 3 have active noise cancellation and come with tips in several sizes. With AirPods 5, the only adjustment is to push them in and rotate the stem toward your face until they lock. If your ear canals are small, that may not be enough. Hooks from KeyBudz and AhaStyle loop around your ear and cost $10 to $15.
The number of tip sizes depends on the generation. Medium tips are installed when you open the box, but it is worth trying others.
To swap a tip, pull the old one firmly away from the connector until it snaps off. Line up the new tip with the oval base and push until it clicks. Using different sizes in each ear is normal, such as small in one and medium in the other.
To check the fit, open Settings, tap your AirPods, then choose Test Acoustic Seal. On AirPods Pro 1 or 2 it is called Ear Tip Fit Test. Tap Continue, then Play. The result says Good Seal, Adjust or Try a Different Size. Bass-heavy music is another quick way to judge the seal.
Most AirPods Pro come with silicone tips, which should last as long as the earbuds. Some people find foam more comfortable and snug. Foam tips are squeezed before you insert them, then expand with body heat to fill the ear canal. That can help with smaller ears. Apple added foam-infused tips with AirPods Pro 3, but pure foam may still work better for some.
Comply and Foam Masters sell foam tips for $25 to $30 a set. They need to be replaced more often than silicone. Apple redesigned the tip connector on third-generation AirPods Pro, so check that any tips you buy match your model.
Try different tip sizes and run Apple's seal test first, then consider $10 to $15 hooks or $25 to $30 foam tips if AirPods still slip.
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