AirPods Pro tips wear out and need replacing
The silicone ear tips on AirPods Pro are replaceable parts, not permanent. They wear down from regular use, earwax buildup, and cleaning, and Apple sells replacement sets in three sizes: small, medium, and large. You can swap them yourself in under a minute — no tools or technical knowledge required. A fresh set costs around $4 to $9 depending on where you buy them, and the process is the same whether you're replacing one tip or all three.
Knowing when to replace them matters for sound quality and comfort. If the seal feels loose, the bass sounds thin, or the tips look cracked or flattened, replacement tips will restore both the fit and the noise isolation that makes AirPods Pro worth using.
Key Takeaways
- AirPods Pro tips come in three sizes and are sold as a set of three by Apple and third-party retailers for $4 to $9.
- You remove old tips by pinching the stem and pulling straight down, then press new tips onto the speaker nozzle until they click into place.
- Replacement tips last longer if you clean them monthly with a dry cloth and store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Third-party tips from brands like Comply and Spigen work with AirPods Pro but may affect warranty coverage depending on your retailer.
Where to buy replacement tips and what they cost
Apple sells official replacement tips directly through apple.com, in Apple retail stores, and through authorized resellers like Best Buy and Amazon. A single set of three tips (one size) runs $4.99 from Apple's website. If you need multiple sizes, you'll buy separate sets — there's no mixed pack.
Third-party alternatives exist from Comply, Spigen, JBL, and others, usually priced between $6 and $15 per set. These often claim better isolation or comfort, but they carry a trade-off: using non-Apple tips may void your warranty with some retailers, though Apple itself typically honors warranty claims regardless of tip brand. Check your receipt or contact the place you bought your AirPods Pro if warranty coverage matters to you.
Shipping from Apple takes 3 to 5 business days for standard delivery. If you need tips the same day, a nearby Apple Store or Best Buy location is faster — call ahead to confirm stock before you go.
How to remove old tips and install new ones
Start with your AirPods Pro in your hands, not in your ears. Hold one earbud with the speaker nozzle (the part that goes in your ear) pointing down. Pinch the silicone tip between your thumb and index finger, then pull straight down with steady pressure. The tip should slide off cleanly. Repeat for the other earbud and the spare bud if you're replacing all three.
Inspect the speaker nozzle underneath. It should be clean and dry. If you see earwax or debris, wipe it gently with a dry cloth — do not use water or cleaning solution, as moisture can damage the speaker.
Take a new tip in the correct size (small, medium, or large — check the size marking on the old tip or on the replacement package). Align the tip with the speaker nozzle and press straight down firmly. You'll feel a click when it seats properly. The tip should not slide or rotate. If it feels loose, remove it and try again — it may not be fully seated.
Test the fit in your ear before you rely on them. The tip should feel snug but not painful, and the seal should feel complete. If the fit is wrong, try the next size up or down.
Choosing the right size for your ears
AirPods Pro come with medium tips pre-installed, but many people need small or large instead. The wrong size ruins both comfort and sound — too small and they fall out or sound hollow; too large and they hurt or don't seal.
Start by testing the size that came with your AirPods Pro. Put them in your ears and listen for a tight seal — you should hear a subtle pressure change and the bass should sound full. If they feel loose or the sound is thin, try the small size. If they hurt after a few minutes or feel like they're pushing too deep, try the large size.
Once you find your size, stick with it. Most people use the same size in both ears, but if your ears are different sizes, buy two sets and use one size from each. Keep the unused sizes in a safe place — they're small and straightforward to lose.
How to make replacement tips last longer
Silicone tips degrade from sweat, earwax, heat, and repeated stretching. You can slow that process with basic care. Clean your tips once a month by wiping them with a dry, lint-free cloth while they're still on the earbud. If they're visibly dirty, remove them and wipe both the tip and the speaker nozzle before putting them back on.
Store your AirPods Pro in their charging case when you're not using them. The case protects the tips from dust, sunlight, and temperature swings. Do not leave them in a hot car, a gym bag, or direct sunlight for long periods — heat breaks down silicone faster.
Avoid touching the tips with wet hands or sweaty fingers more than necessary. If you use your AirPods Pro during workouts, wipe them dry afterward. Replace tips as soon as you notice cracks, flattening, or a loose seal — worn tips don't recover, and waiting only makes the problem worse.
Third-party tips versus Apple's official tips
Official Apple tips are the baseline: they fit perfectly, maintain the design of the AirPods Pro, and carry no warranty risk. They're also the cheapest option at $4.99 per set.
Third-party brands like Comply (foam tips), Spigen (silicone), and JBL offer different materials and claim better isolation or comfort. Comply foam tips, for example, expand slightly when you insert them, which some people find more comfortable and isolating than silicone. Spigen tips are thicker silicone and may last longer. The trade-off is price — most third-party sets cost $10 to $15 — and the fact that they may not fit as precisely as Apple's design.
Warranty coverage depends on where you bought your AirPods Pro. Apple's own warranty typically covers defects regardless of tip brand. Best Buy's Geek Squad protection and some third-party retailers may exclude coverage if you've used non-Apple parts. Check your warranty paperwork or ask the retailer before you buy third-party tips if warranty protection is important to you.
When to replace your tips and what to watch for
Most people replace their tips every 3 to 6 months with regular daily use. Heavy users — people who wear them 8+ hours a day or use them during workouts — may need replacements every 2 to 3 months. Light users might stretch a set to a year or more.
Watch for these signs that replacement is due: the seal feels loose even when you've tried all three sizes, the bass sounds thin or muffled, the tips look visibly cracked or flattened, or you notice earwax buildup that won't clean off. Any of these means the tips have lost their shape and won't perform as designed.
Don't wait until they fail completely. A loose seal lets outside noise in and reduces battery life because the AirPods Pro work harder to deliver sound. Replacing tips early keeps your AirPods Pro sounding and feeling like they did when they were new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use AirPods Pro without tips?
Technically yes, but you shouldn't. Without tips, the sound leaks out, the bass disappears, and the noise isolation doesn't work. The speaker nozzle also sits directly against your ear canal, which is uncomfortable. Always use tips.
What size tips should I order if I don't know my size?
Start with the medium size, which is what comes pre-installed. If medium feels loose or uncomfortable after testing, order a set of small or large to compare. Keep the unused size in case your ears change or you want to try again later.
Do I need to buy tips from Apple, or can I use any brand?
You can use third-party tips from Comply, Spigen, JBL, and others. They work mechanically, but they may not fit as precisely as Apple's design and may affect warranty coverage depending on where you bought your AirPods Pro. Check your warranty terms before switching brands.
How do I know if my tips are installed correctly?
A correctly installed tip should feel snug and not rotate or slide when you gently tug on it. You should hear a click when you press it down. If it feels loose or moves easily, remove it and press it down again until it seats fully.
Can I clean and reuse old tips instead of buying new ones?
You can clean them, but reusing worn tips defeats the purpose. Silicone loses its shape and seal quality over time, so even a clean old tip won't perform like a new one. Replacement tips are inexpensive enough that buying new ones is the better choice.