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When they’re new, nothing beats the convenience and pure joy of finding the perfect pair of AirPods. However, if you want to keep this experience enjoyable, you will also need to carry out some regular care and maintenance, especially 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 seek depend largely on how you use them.
Some users only wear their headphones occasionally during a work commute, and for those people, the tips can typically last a year. Other people keep them on so much that they’re practically a new body part, and for these users (especially those who train with them), damage can start to show around four months. A general rule of thumb: if you notice that an earbud sounds better, starts to slip frequently, or notice visible damage, it’s time for a new round of advice.
Of course, proper maintenance can extend the life of AirPods ear tips. No need to clean them obsessively after each use: a weekly scrub can make all the difference. Even when the tips get too worn or dirty, replacing them is very simple, and getting two pairs of replacement tips directly from Apple is surprisingly cheap at $9.99 per set.
How to clean and replace AirPods tips?
Not only are AirPods an overlooked environmental issue, but they can also cause health problems if not properly cared for. Our ears produce a lot of earwax, so cleaning the eartips is also a great way to prevent bacteria from entering your ear canal (no one wants to have to deal with a surprise ear infection). Now, you might be tempted to go overboard with germ-killing products, but avoid using harsh chemical cleaners like rubbing alcohol because they can destroy the silicone. Instead, good old lukewarm water will do the trick.
Remove each tip by pinching the base of the tip and detaching it. Then soak them in a little warm water for a few minutes. If you’ve skipped regular cleaning and the tips are covered in hardened earwax, add a little dish soap to remove all the scum. Once they’re squeaky clean, simply dry them and put them back on your AirPods, and you’re done.
What if we replaced the tips? Even easier. Go to Amazon and get a set of replacement ear tips for your exact AirPods model (this is important because sizes vary between different generations). The Inesore 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 directly from Apple for $2 more. That’s it: slip them on and you get six months of clear ANC audio and earphone nirvana.
