AirPods Pro Ear Tip Size: How to Find the Right One
Contents6
The right AirPods Pro ear tip size is the most important and most overlooked factor for good sound. Apple includes four sizes (XS, S, M, L), yet most people simply leave the pre-fitted M tips in and then wonder about thin bass or weak noise cancelling. This guide shows you how to nail your size in a few minutes, and it applies to AirPods Pro 1, 2 and 3.
Why the fit decides the sound
AirPods Pro are in-ear headphones. The silicone tip has to seal the ear canal cleanly, otherwise the whole concept falls apart. A good seal gives you four things at once:
- Full bass: Only a tight fit builds the pressure in the ear canal that low frequencies need. A leak lets the bass escape and the sound turns thin and tinny.
- Active noise cancelling: ANC only works well when the tip passively pre-seals the ear canal. With a poor fit it stays loud.
- Secure hold: The right tip stays put, even while jogging, brushing your teeth or on the tram.
- No ear pain: The correct size does not press and can be worn for hours.
Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test: how to run it
Apple has a built-in test that measures the seal with the microphone. Here is how to start it:
- Put your AirPods Pro in and connect them to the iPhone.
- Open Settings and tap your AirPods at the top (or the “i” under Bluetooth).
- Choose Ear Tip Fit Test and start it.
- A few seconds of music play, then the iPhone shows “Good Seal” or “Adjust the Ear Tips” per side.
If you do not get a good seal, switch to the next size and repeat the test. Each run takes only about ten seconds.
Signs of the wrong size
Even without the test, your ear tells you a lot. The most common signals:
- Falls out or sits loose: the tip is too small, go one size up.
- Pressure, tightness or pain: the tip is too big, go one size down.
- Weak bass, quiet ANC: the seal is missing, usually the tip is too small or not seated properly.
Symptom, cause and fix at a glance
| Symptom | Likely problem | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Falls out of the ear | Size too small | One size up (e.g. S to M) |
| Pressure or pain | Size too big | One size down (e.g. L to M) |
| Thin bass | No seal | Go bigger, press the tip in firmly |
| ANC feels weak | Leaky fit | Run the fit test, adjust size |
| One ear sits badly | Ears are different sizes | Mix left and right |
Mixing left and right is fine
Human ears are rarely symmetrical. It is completely normal and explicitly OK to wear, say, M on the left and S on the right. Feel free to run the fit test with different combinations until both sides report “Good Seal”. All that matters is that the tip clicks into place correctly, you hear and feel a light click.
Foam or silicone: third-party tips
If the four original sizes are not enough, there are third-party alternatives. Roughly two types:
- Silicone (like the original): easy to care for, washable, durable. Sometimes available in in-between sizes for ears that fall exactly between two Apple sizes.
- Memory foam: conforms to the ear shape, seals especially well and blocks more noise. Downside: it wears out faster and needs replacing more often.
With third-party tips, make sure they are explicitly designed for AirPods Pro, because the bayonet lock is Apple-specific. You will find matching audio accessories and spares in our Swiss warehouse, free shipping from CHF 15 and with a 2-year warranty.
Cleaning and replacing in time
Ear tips collect earwax, which harms ANC and sound and is unhygienic. Here is how to stay on the safe side:
- Pull the silicone tips off the AirPod and clean them with lukewarm water and mild soapy water.
- Let them dry completely before refitting, never insert them wet.
- Carefully clean the fine protective mesh of the AirPods with a dry cotton swab.
- Replace tips as soon as the silicone is cracked, hard or discoloured, usually after 6 to 12 months.
With clean, well-fitting tips you get the full potential out of your AirPods Pro, whether generation 1, 2 or 3. You will find the matching AirPods and accessories right here.