Get AirPods for Christmas? Here are some small upgrades that make them even better
Chargers, cases and small add-ons that'll make your AirPods even better.
I didn't think a piece of tech could impact my life the way that my AirPods Pro have in the past year. Sometimes I just sit with the noise-cancelling on, listening to absolutely nothing at all, just to quiet my mind a bit. Regardless of which model you just received this year for Christmas, if you're anything like me, yours will become a constant companion, and while they're fantastic on their own, here are some accessories you should check out if you want to get the most out of them.
Memory foam ear tips
If your AirPods never quite stayed put, here's a quick, easy, affordable fix. Better fit, better seal, better sound — and suddenly you're not adjusting them every five minutes.
My chief (only?) complaint about my AirPods Pro is that when I am working out or running, they fall out too easily. After trying more than a handful of third-party silicone and memory foam replacement tips, I've landed on these. They're comfortable enough to wear all day, fit nicely in my ears and they've yet to fall out. They also come in an upgraded AirPods Pro 3 version.
Protective case cover
AirPods cases get gross fast and are way easier to drop than you think. A slim cover adds grip, protects against scuffs, and makes them easier to spot at the bottom of a bag.
Amazon
The glossy white case does look nice and minimalist ... but not after you've dropped it a few times. Keep yours protected from unexpected scratches and oopsies with a heavy-duty protector that doubles as a keychain.
Want your case to have a little more personality? This flower-engraved cover pulls triple duty: keeping your case pristine, making it easy to clip onto a key ring or a backpack and looking really good while doing it.
Cleaning kit
You don't realize how much buildup gets into your Pods until your first unsettling clean-out. After that, a quick refresh will improve sound quality and keep things from getting truly unpleasant.
"My ears are clean, I don't need this," you think to yourself. Just you wait. There is no other device out there, other than those ear wax cameras, that'll make you realize just how poorly you clean your ears than a pair of earbuds.
If you're rocking AirPods, chances are you have a few other Apple devices around your house (or, as in my case, almost a dozen). Keep all of those speakers, screens and charging ports gunk-free with this.
Wireless charger
Dropping your AirPods onto the same charger as your phone is as simple as it is satisfying. Fewer cables, fewer decisions, less nightstand clutter.
If you're fully enveloped by the Apple ecosystem, a 3-in-1 wireless charger like this one just makes sense. Set all of your devices on it at night and wake up with everything fully charged (including yourself, hopefully).
Travel Adapter
Frequent getaways is one of the reasons I got my AirPods Pro in the first place (and why I am gifting my wife a pair this year), but some of the tech in airplanes has yet to catch up to the Bluetooth world. Luckily, there is a solution.
Travel often? Not all seat-back entertainment screens have Bluetooth (in fact, most don't). But there's no need to pack bulky wired headphones; not when you have one of these handy.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
