This affordable solution may be all you need to improve the sound quality of headphones

Apple’s brave decision to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack in 2016 appears to have worked in the company’s favor. AirPods are by far the most popular truly wireless earbuds in the world. The competition has also caught up in terms of sound quality and features, and it’s generally pretty hard to end up with a bad pair of wireless earbuds these days. With most premium offerings touting active noise cancellation, lossless audio codecs, and customizable EQ settings, the purchasing decision often comes down to comfort and ecosystem benefits.

Most truly wireless earbuds come with silicone tips. It is a material that is inexpensive to make and flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of ear shapes. Manufacturers often offer two additional pairs of ear tips in different sizes to maximize users’ chances of finding a fit that works. Unfortunately, human ears come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. In fact, a multi-ethnic study involving more than 1,400 people found that the human ear is a reliable biometric identifier, much like a fingerprint.

In addition to not providing a secure and comfortable fit, the wrong set of ear tips can also negatively impact sound quality. Unlike over-ear headphones which create a wider seal around your ears, earbuds rely almost entirely on the tips to form a proper seal. If it’s not a good fit, sound can escape and outside noise can enter. This results in weaker bass and noticeably lower noise cancellation performance.

Silicone tips are easier to clean and can last virtually as long as the earbuds themselves, but they shouldn’t be your first choice if you’re looking for the best comfort. There are a handful of reputable third-party manufacturers that sell foam ear tips. If you use memory foam pillows or insoles, you know where I’m going with this. Unlike silicone tips which come in a few predefined sizes at best, foam tips expand to fit the shape of your ear canal and create a much better seal.

I’m one of the lucky souls who doesn’t have a problem with the fit of most headphones. However, when I purchased a pair of AirPods Pro 2, I decided to go all out and replace the stock silicone ear tips with a set of memory foam alternatives. The first thing I noticed was how much better a fit they provided. I was no longer adjusting my AirPods every few minutes to keep them in place. The biggest difference, however, was how much punchier the bass was.

Now, switching to foam tips won’t magically make your headphones sound better, but by minimizing sound leakage, they can help music sound fuller and punchier without you having to turn the volume all the way up. Since foam tips create a tighter seal, they significantly improve passive sound insulation. Not only does this help improve the performance of active noise cancellation when you turn it on, but it also allows you to not have to rely as much on ANC in the first place.

Comply and Sonicfoam are two reputable brands you can buy from, but be sure to check compatibility with your headphones first. For example, AirPods have a proprietary snap-on mechanism that requires a specific type of ear tip. Although Woozad hasn’t officially tested them, I can personally vouch for the quality of the memory foam tips sold by Sonicfoam — I’ve been using them for over two years now.

Foam tips, however, have their share of drawbacks. For starters, they wear out pretty quickly. If you use your wireless earbuds every day, you can expect your foam tips to last about two to three months, although they start to lose their ability to fully expand well before that. They also tend to get dirty and attract dust more easily than silicone tips.

Prices can range from $10 to $40, depending on the brand and the number of ear tips included in the package. Once you’ve found a pair of foam tips that suit you, it’s worth checking to see if the brand sells refills containing just your preferred size. This way you’re not spending money on smaller or larger bits that you’ll never use.

The foam tips also make it very clear when it’s time to replace them. If you pinch them and they don’t expand as well, they won’t create the same seal in your ear canal. Ideally, you would also replace them when you notice visible deformation or damage. One last useful tip: it is best to clean them regularly. I’ve gotten into the habit of giving mine a quick wipe before each use, as any buildup of earwax or skin oils can make them smell less than pleasant over time.