Best AirPods accessories for 2020

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You can find cheaper copy versions of Catalysts AirPods case ($ 25), but the Catalyst is arguably the best sturdy AirPod case you can buy. It not only serves as a cover to protect the casing of your AirPods, but also makes it completely waterproof. Another important feature: with the included carabiner, you can attach the case to a belt loop or backpack or use it as a keychain to prevent your wireless earbuds from being lost. The case is available in different color options, including a glow in the dark version and a special version Apple Store colors only for $ 5 more.

Read more about the Catalyst case.

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This ear hook accessory solves two AirPod problems with one accessory. The AhaStyle earphones use a sports fin with earphones and transform the “open” AirPods into a noise-isolating design that keeps ambient noise out and improves the bass performance of the wireless earphones.

You will get two small and large fins, both of which have the same earplug on the small side. I couldn’t get a tight seal with the included earplug (it would be good if medium and large tips were included), but there were enough seals to improve the bass performance and overall sound of the AirPods. It’s also worth noting that a small silicone tote bag is included that you can attach to a keychain.

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When I first saw the name of this accessory, I thought it was for the AirPods Pro. But Speck’s first AirPods case is actually for the standard AirPods. Though a little expensive at $ 30, the design is better than many AirPods cases, with a hard plastic shell instead of the soft silicone finish of the Catalyst cases. The strap that connects the included carabiner to the case is more durable than the strap on the Catalyst case.

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Some people find AirPods fit so securely in their ears that they can walk with them. But other ears, like mine, aren’t perfect AirPod jacks. And that’s where silicone cover options come in, including many with built-in earhooks or “sport fins”.

I used that EarBuddyzthat are now available in version 2.0, but you can find many other similar options, including those from AhaStyle and others who work with both EarPods and AirPods. They all cost about $ 10 for two or three hook sets.

The only problem is that you have to remove the fins and keep them somewhere to get the AirPods back in their case. This is a nuisance, and you may want to invest in a case that is suitable for both AirPods and EarBuddyz. The new AhaStyle ear hooks come with a little carry bag for the hooks, but not for your AirPods.

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The EarBuddyz Ultra are similar to the AhaStyle option (they may have been made in the same factory) – and cost the same price ($ 14). They come with three sizes of earplugs instead of two. I would have liked an XL tip to be included. The big tip didn’t create a tight seal for me, but it did create some noise isolation and improved the AirPods’ bass performance.

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The fidget spinner craze may have come and gone, but the $ 25 ZenPod from Air vinyl design can help bring it back.

Yes, this is the first spinning case for your AirPods, and it’s frankly a bit awesome. The ZenPod is available in three color options and has precision bearings on each side of the leather case, giving it the spin factor that we all secretly yearned for.

Unfortunately, this leather case doesn’t add any wireless charging features to your AirPods case (where is this new case, Apple?), So it’s not quite Zen, but who knows – maybe we’ll see this feature for charging the battery in the future?

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Apple’s new AirPods Pro for $ 249 comes with a wireless charging case. However, Apple also sells a wireless case separately for customers of the first generation AirPods. The only problem is that it costs $ 79 (though you can currently find it $ 65 at Amazon), which seems a bit expensive for the ability to easily charge your earbuds, especially since there is no charging pad included. (The Belkin shown here is an additional one $ 45.)

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The AirSnap leather case by Twelve South is made of sturdy leather and is equipped with a push button system and a “loss prevention” clip. It is a slightly different variant of an AirPods bag. It is available in three color options in leather for $ 35.

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What do you do if you want to use your AirPods with an on-board entertainment system or want to make them compatible with the TV built into a device in the gym that requires a wired connection? One workaround is to buy a relatively inexpensive Bluetooth transmitter that you can connect to any 3.5mm audio jack. There are several channels from TaoTronics and other little known brands (I tried the TaoTronics). They cost $ 25-35.

To pair your AirPods with a transmitter, you need to turn off your phone’s Bluetooth (or just put it in airplane mode), put your AirPods in their case, press and hold the Bluetooth button on the transmitter until it switches to pairing mode, and then press the pairing button on the AirPods case.

Sarah Tew

Why should we put a set of wired earphones in a summary of AirPod accessories? If you don’t choose a Bluetooth transmitter (around $ 30), you won’t be able to use your AirPods on an airplane to see in-flight entertainment. Of course, you could opt for expensive noise canceling headphones (here are our top noise canceling tips), but it doesn’t hurt to have a cheap, durable, and good-sounding wired headphone hand. We have always liked Panasonic’s ErgoFit RP-HJE120 earphones, which cost less than $ 9.

Read the full review.