AirPods Hurt Your Ears? Here Are Some Fit Tips and Alternative Earbud Options

 While Apple has designed the AirPods and AirPods Pro for most individuals to be as comfortable as possible, there are still some owners of the AirPods and AirPods Pro who find the earbuds uncomfortable and even painful.

We have gathered some helpful tips and tricks for fit in this guide, along with some alternatives for when changing fit is simply not an option.

AirPods Fit Problems

Apple's standard ‌AirPods‌ are not adjustable and do not have removable tips, which leaves little you can do if they cause ear pain.

Getting Used to AirPods Over Time

Some users on the MacRumors forums have said that their ears adjusted to the ‌AirPods‌ size after powering through wearing them for a few days to a few weeks, so trying to get used to them is one potential solution.

You should aim to use the 'AirPods' for a few hours per day while using this process , allowing your ears time to rest in between.

Wearing One AirPod at a Time

You should also try wearing one AirPod at a time to get the ears to adapt, allowing each ear a break from the 'AirPods' while still being able to use them with a connected computer. If you need to use the 'AirPods' for prolonged periods of time, alternating the ear wearing the AirPod will reduce an overwhelming amount of discomfort and allow for longer battery life.

AirPods That Fall Out

AirPods are not designed to fit deep in the ear and rest in the contours of the ear, so it can also help with discomfort to ensure that they are not put too far into the ear. You do not want to place pressure on the ear tragus, and the issue is often putting the 'AirPods' too far.

Thin silicone covers for the AirPods can also be bought from a website such as Amazon that can also make them feel better in the ear, as well as tips that are similar to silicone tips but adapted to stick to the AirPods. Notice that these types of tips do not work in the case of 'AirPods' and need to be removed before charging, and for people who already find the 'AirPods' too big in their ears, they might not be comfortable.

Returning AirPods

Ears come in all shapes and sizes, and no matter the transition time, the 'AirPods' would not be a good match in certain instances. The safest choice is to go for an alternate earbud or headphone option in this case.

Apple has a two-week return policy, which should allow consumers ample time before deciding whether to retain them, to try them out to ensure that they are a comfortable match. There are also common return policies for many other third-party stores, just make sure to search before making a purchase from a non-Apple retail store.

AirPods Pro Fit Problems

If you have issues with the AirPods Pro, which is very popular if you check out the MacRumors forums and Apple groups, there are a few more choices than you have with the AirPods regular.

There are a few more choices than you have with the regular AirPods First and foremost, AirPods Pro come with tips in three sizes: small , medium, and big if you have fit issues with the AirPods Pro, which is very popular if you check out the MacRumors forums and Apple groups. To see which feels better in the ear, you can try each of the three sizes. Surprisingly, some individuals with smaller ears have found the bigger tips to be the easier choice, so testing and experimentation is your bet.

The tips for AirPods Pro can also be adjusted to incorporate foam, which can allow for a closer and more supportive fit. In December, Federico Viticci of MacStories demonstrated the technique, which involves extracting the foam from an existing collection of foam eartips and then applying them to the existing tips for AirPods Pro. On the MacStories website, complete instructions are available.

Some firms, such as Comply, are also working on AirPods Pro foam tips that you can buy, but these are not yet widely available from reputable sources.

Alternatives to AirPods

At this point in time, there are quite a few alternatives to AirPods on the market, and you would probably want to go with one that has the option of silicone or foam tips or an earbud that has a smaller body if you are having problems with the regular AirPods.

You may also want to forego all together in-ear earbuds, opting for more convenient on-ear or over-ear headphones instead. Below, we have mentioned some common alternatives that, instead of AirPods, people often suggest or recommend. Much of what we list is wireless, but we do have a few wire choices, such as Powerbeats, and we've connected the retailer to the lowest prices where possible.

* AirPods Pro ($235 from Amazon)-AirPods Pro is an apparent alternative to the AirPods that are more convenient for certain individuals due to the flexible silicone tips that fit more securely into the ear canal. In the ear, the body of the AirPods Pro is also smaller and can contribute to less ear pain. AirPods Pro is more costly than AirPods, but provides technology for noise cancelling.

*Powerbeats Pro ($200 from Amazon)-Due to the silicone tips and earhooks that wrap around the ears to keep them in place, Powerbeats Pro is also an acceptable alternative to AirPods. These have the ability to be more convenient than AirPods, but due to the fit of the earhooks, they might not be the best choice for those with small ears.

* Sony WF-1000XM3 ($190 from Amazon) - Sony's WF-1000XM3 earbuds are a common alternative to 'AirPods' because they offer widely appreciated noise cancelling technology. These are wire-free earbuds, like all the earbuds on our list, that reviewers have claimed are comfortable, with adjustable silicone tips.

* Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 ($300 from Amazon)-The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 headphones, a step up from AirPods, offer excellent performance and successful cancellation of noise. These are smaller and lighter than the original Momentums of Sennheiser and while not all reviewers considered these to be comfortable for long periods of time, some found them to be a more comfortable choice than other wire-free earbuds.

* Jabra Elite 75 t ($180 from Amazon)-Because of their comfortable fit in the ear, the Jabra Elite 75 t's are the top choice from Wirecutter for wireless headphones. The new 75 t model is smaller and lighter in weight compared with previous models of the Elite earbuds, making them more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time. These are designed for use during physical exercise to fit close in the ear, and there are adjustable tips.

* Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus ($140 from Amazon)-These are designed for Samsung phones and are manufactured by Apple rival Samsung, but they work with an iPhone like any Bluetooth earbuds. For their light weight, which can go a long way towards relieving ear pain, the Galaxy Buds Plus have been praised. They also have a battery life that is super long and you can pick which ear tips suit best.

Of course, there are only a couple of other options for earbuds on the market. There are plenty to choose from, and you will need to experiment and take advantage of certain manufacturers' return policies if you have a hard time finding the right size at the right price point.