Best AirPods Accessories for 2024
Apple AirPods are a superpopular iPhone accessory that have spurred a cottage industry of more accessories. Here are some of our top picks.
Our Experts
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What to Consider
Compatibility
Budget
Durability
Return Policy
Our Picks
Apple AirPods are the best earbuds you can buy for an iPhone. When you buy a new pair of AirPods, you might think that's all you need, but there's a litany of accessories that can bolster your listening experience. Supplementary cases and other compatible Apple AirPods add-ons can help overcome minor shortcomings (which, for some people, are huge shortcomings). The best AirPods accessories help your shiny new gadget stay in its original condition for months.
What are the best AirPods accessories overall?
These picks for the best AirPods accessories are based on my own hands-on experience and are mostly cases (including one charging case) and earbud enhancements, with a few other interesting AirPod accessories I've found. Note that these top picks of AirPods accessories are based on the non-Pro, or standard, versions of the true wireless earbuds.
Read more: Best noise-canceling true wireless earbuds of 2024
Best AirPods accessories of 2024
You can find cheaper knockoff versions of Catalyst's AirPods Case ($25), but the Catalyst is arguably the best AirPods rugged case you can buy. Not only does this act as a cover to protect your AirPods' case but it also makes your case fully waterproof. Another key feature: The bundled carabiner lets you strap the case onto a belt loop or backpack or use it as a keychain case to help keep your wireless earbuds from getting lost. The case is available in a few different color options, including a glow-in-the-dark version and special Apple Store-only colors for $5 more.
Best protective AirPods case
Speck Presidio Pro
When I first saw the name of this accessory, I thought it was for the AirPods Pro. But Speck's first AirPods case is actually for the standard AirPods. While it's somewhat pricey at $30, the design is better than many AirPods cases, with a hard plastic shell rather than the soft silicone finish of the Catalyst cases. The loop where the included carabiner connects to the case is more durable than the loop on the Catalyst case.
Best AirPods ear hooks
EarBuddyz 2.0 Ear Hooks
Some people find AirPods fit so securely in their ears that they can run with them. But other ears, like mine, aren't perfect AirPod receptacles. And that's where silicone cover options come in, including many that feature integrated ear hooks or "sport fins."
I've used the EarBuddyz, which now come in a version 2.0, but you can find plenty of other similar options, including ones from AhaStyle and others that work with both EarPods and AirPods. They all cost around $10 for two or three sets of hooks.
The only issue is that to get the AirPods back in their case you have to remove the fins and store them somewhere. That's a nuisance, and you might want to invest in a case that fits both the AirPods and EarBuddyz. The new AhaStyle ear hooks come with a little carrying pouch for the hooks but not for your AirPods.
Best AirPods wireless charging case
Apple Wireless Charging Case for AirPods
Apple's new $249 AirPods Pro comes with a wireless charging case, but Apple also sells a wireless case separately for customers of the first-generation AirPods. The only issue is that this wireless charging case costs $79, which seems a tad pricey for the ability to have an easy way to charge your earbuds, especially as no charging pad is included with this AirPods charging case. (The Belkin pictured here is an additional $45.)
Best leather AirPods case
Twelve South AirSnap case
Made of rugged leather and equipped with a snap closing system, as well "loss-prevention" clip, Twelve South's AirSnap leather case is a little bit of a different take on an AirPods case. It's available in three color options in leather for $35.
Best wired AirPods alternative
Panasonic ErgoFit earbuds
Why would we put a set of wired earbuds in a roundup of AirPod accessories? Well, if you don't shell out for a Bluetooth transmitter (about $30), you won't be able to use your AirPods on a plane to watch in-flight entertainment. Of course, you could ante up for an expensive set of noise-canceling headphones (you can see our top noise-canceling picks here), but it doesn't hurt to have a cheap, durable, good-sounding pair of wired headphones on hand. We've always liked the Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 earphones, which cost less than $9.
Factors to consider when buying AirPods accessories
Compatibility
The first thing you need to do is make sure the accessory you're buying is compatible with the AirPods model you own. Take care to avoid products made for the AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Pro 2, as there are definite differences between the models.
Budget
AirPods accessories can get kind of expensive. For example, some cases cost upward of $70. You can also find cheap cases that closer to $10. While a cheaper accessory may be fine, note that more premium accessories tend to cost more and likely hold up better over time.
Durability
You do want an accessory that holds up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality. Be sure the product you choose will meet your daily needs and keeps up with your lifestyle, no matter how active it may be.
Return policy
It's a good idea to buy your accessory at a retailer that has a good return policy in case you have buyer's remorse. Check the details both online and in store to make sure you're getting the best options.
How we test AirPods accessories
Using an accessory for at least a day and sometimes several days in a real-world environment, we evaluate it based on three key criteria. These criteria include design, features and value.
- Design: Evaluating design, we assess the build quality and how the accessory looks and feels (some AirPods accessories are more aesthetically pleasing than others).
- Features: Some accessories have extra features we take into consideration. For instance, a case may be waterproof or have an integrated clip or lanyard.
- Value: We evaluate value based on the overall quality of the accessory in relation to its price.
Other AirPods accessories we've tested
ZenPod: The fidget-spinner craze may have come and gone, but the $25 ZenPod from Air Vinyl Design may help bring it back. Yes, this is the first spinning case for your AirPods, and it's frankly kind of ingenious. Available in three color options, the ZenPod has precision bearings on each side of the leather case that give it that spin factor that we've all secretly craved. Alas, this leather case doesn't add wireless charging case capabilities to your AirPods case (where is that new case, Apple?), so it's not totally zen, but who knows -- maybe we'll see that battery charging feature in a future version?
EarBuddyz Ultra: The EarBuddyz Ultra are similar to the AhaStyle option (they might have been made in the same factory) -- and cost the same price ($14). They do come with three sizes of ear tips instead of two. I would have liked for an XL tip to be included. The large tip didn't create a tight seal for me, but it did create some noise-isolation and improve the bass performance of the AirPods.
Hagibis Cleaning Kit: Your AirPods will pick up dust, grime and perhaps even a bit of ear wax that can impact performance. You can find several cleaning pens on Amazon that are pretty similar and share a few elements, including a brush for cleaning the windscreens covering the AirPods microphones, a soft "flocking sponge" to clean gunk out of the wireless charging case and a metal pen tip to dig out any dust wedged in seams. The Hagibis Cleaning Pen has a slightly more elevated design but also costs a couple of bucks more than the cheapest cleaning pens.
