We love Apple’s AirPods, and judging by the number we see on the street, so do lots of other people, too. There’s a thriving AirPod accessory market out there but which ones are worth looking at? Here are our favorites.
The beauty of AirPods is their simplicity and minimalistic approach, but sometimes an accessory or two makes a good thing even better. Maybe you love your AirPods but wish they would just fit inside your ears a little better. Or perhaps you would like to carry your AirPods around on a keychain for safekeeping, making sure they’re always to hand when you need them. There’s an accessory for all of those occasions and more.
Best Wireless Charging Case: Apple Wireless Charging Case ($79)
When Apple updated its AirPods line to include a wireless charging case, it also made that case available as a stand-alone purchase. Even if you are using the first generation AirPods, you can pick up Apple’s Wireless Charging Case and enjoy wire-free charging.
It’s not the cheapest wireless charging case on the market, but it’s the best by far.
Best 3rd-Party Wireless Charging Case: NeotrixQI Wireless Charging Case ($19)
Considerably less costly than Apple’s first-party alternative, this NeotrixQI charging case has all of the features you’d want from a wireless charging solution. Where it differs greatly from Apple’s is the fact that this case isn’t a case for your AirPods, but rather their own charging case.
That means that charging is a multi-layer affair. Your AirPods go into their charging case, and then that case goes into this NeotrixQI case. It’s cumbersome, but it works and if you’re a fan of Russian nesting dolls, you’ll feel right at home here. It’s also available black or white, which is more than can be said for Apple’s own case.
Best Ear Hooks: EarBuddyz 2.0 Ear Hooks and Covers ($11)
The one-size-fits-all approach of the AirPods works great—until it doesn’t. If you find your AirPods don’t sit securely in your ears, a set of ear hooks might be in order. They attach to your AirPods and then hook around the inside of your ear to keep them in place.
The EarBuddyz 2.0 come in four different colors and you’ll get three pairs in each pack. For $11, that’s a bargain but these things also work, too. And not only will they prevent your beloved AirPods from slipping out of your ears, but they’ll also improve sound isolation thanks to the snug fit they’ll give you.