You’re probably looking for a replacement. Maybe you lost one in the couch, or maybe you’re just used to every pair of high-end earbuds coming with a little plastic baggy of silicone nibs. But here’s the kicker: if you just bought the new AirPods 4, you’re going to be looking for a long time. There are no AirPods 4 ear tips. At least, not from Apple.
It’s a weird design choice if you’re coming from the Pro line. Apple decided to stick with the "open-ear" philosophy for this generation. That means they’re designed to sit in your concha—that little bowl-shaped part of your outer ear—rather than jamming deep into your canal. For some people, this is a godsend. No pressure. No "underwater" feeling. But for others? It’s a fit nightmare.
The AirPods 4 ear tips mystery explained
Apple spent years 3D scanning thousands of ears. They used over 50 million data points to map out what they call the "average" human ear. The result is the shape of the AirPods 4. Because they are an open-air design, they don't use the traditional silicone or foam tips you see on the AirPods Pro 2. They are solid plastic. One piece.
Honestly, it’s a polarizing move.
The AirPods 4 come in two flavors now: the standard version and the one with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). This is where things get really interesting. Usually, to get good noise cancellation, you need a "seal." You need those silicone AirPods 4 ear tips—except they don't exist. Apple is trying to do ANC through sheer computational power and a very specific acoustic vent system rather than physical blockage. It works surprisingly well, but it’s never going to beat a physical plug.
If you have "non-standard" ears—and let's be real, who actually has a 100% average ear?—you might find them sliding out when you're at the gym or even just chewing. This is exactly why the search for third-party AirPods 4 ear tips and "covers" has exploded on platforms like Amazon and Reddit.
What happens if they don't fit?
You aren't stuck. While Apple doesn't make tips, the secondary market is already flooded with silicon "skins" and wingtips.
These aren't exactly "tips" in the way the Pro model has them. Instead, they are ultra-thin silicone sleeves that slide over the head of the AirPod. They add just enough friction to keep the plastic from sliding against your skin. Some of them even feature "wings" that tuck into the fold of your ear.
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But there is a massive catch you need to know about.
If you put a sleeve or a tip on an AirPod 4, it probably won't fit back in the charging case. Most of these covers have to be peeled off every single time you want to charge them. It’s a huge pain. I’ve tried a few of the early "thin" versions, and even the ones that claim to be "case-compatible" often prevent the lid from clicking shut or stop the magnets from aligning for a charge.
Why the "Open" design matters for your hearing
There’s a health angle here that people usually skip. Audiologists like Dr. Cliff Olson have often pointed out that occluding (sealing) the ear canal can lead to the "occlusion effect." That’s that booming sound of your own voice or your footsteps echoing in your head.
By ditching the AirPods 4 ear tips and sticking to an open design, Apple eliminates that. You feel more "present" in the room. This is also a big deal for ear canal health. Sealing your ear for 8 hours a day creates a warm, moist environment—basically a petri dish for bacteria and wax buildup. The AirPods 4 let your ears breathe. It’s a tradeoff: you lose the isolation of a tip, but you gain a lot of comfort and hygiene.
Comparing the "Tip" experience
If you’re deciding between the Pro and the 4 based purely on the "tip" situation, here is the breakdown of how the physics actually changes your music.
The AirPods Pro 2 use a "closed" system. The silicone tip creates a pressurized chamber. This allows the driver to move air more efficiently, resulting in much deeper, punchier bass. You can feel the sub-bass frequencies.
The AirPods 4, lacking those tips, use something called "Computational Audio" to compensate. They have an inward-facing microphone that listens to how the sound is bouncing around your specific ear shape and adjusts the EQ in real-time. It’s impressive tech. But—and this is a big but—if the fit isn't snug, the bass leaks out instantly. That’s why people go hunting for AirPods 4 ear tips alternatives; they’re trying to reclaim that lost low-end.
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Third-party solutions: What actually works?
If you're scouring the internet for something to make these stay in, you'll see a few recurring names. Brands like AhaStyle and EarBuddyz have been making "covers" for the base-model AirPods for years.
- Silicone Skins: These are the most common. They add grip. If your AirPods 4 feel like they're "soapy" or slick, this is the fix. They don't change the sound much, but they change the security.
- Memory Foam Covers: Rare for the 4s, but they exist. They're bulky. They almost certainly won't fit in the case.
- Ear Hooks: These are for the runners. They loop over the back of your ear. They make the AirPods 4 look like Powerbeats. Functional? Yes. Elegant? Not really.
You also have to be careful with the sensors. The AirPods 4 have a new skin-detect sensor. If you buy a cheap, poorly designed third-party ear tip or cover that isn't precision-cut, it’ll cover the sensor. Your music won't pause when you take them out, and your battery will die in two hours because the pods think they're always in your ears.
The "Honeymoon" Phase and Ear Fatigue
Most people find that after about two weeks, their ears "adjust" to the lack of a tip. Your cartilage actually becomes a bit more flexible, or you just learn the specific "twist" needed to lock them in.
Apple suggests a specific insertion method: put them in and give them a slight turn toward your jaw. This locks the "tail" against the notch in your ear (the intertragic notch). If you're doing this and they still feel loose, no amount of software updates will fix that. You simply have a different ear geometry than the "50 million" Apple studied.
Is the ANC version worth it without tips?
This is the $50 question. Can you really have noise cancellation without AirPods 4 ear tips?
The answer is... mostly.
In a coffee shop, the AirPods 4 (ANC version) do a killer job of dialing down the hum of the refrigerator or the low roar of a vacuum. But they struggle with sharp noises—crying babies, clinking silverware, or loud coworkers. Without a physical silicone tip to provide "passive" isolation, those high-frequency sounds leak right past the plastic.
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If you work in a truly loud environment, like a construction site or a frequent flight path, you should probably skip the 4s and go for the Pros. The Pros have the tips. The tips are the barrier.
Maintaining your AirPods (Since there's no tip to replace)
When you have silicone tips, you just pop them off and wash them in warm water. It's easy.
With the AirPods 4, the "tip" is part of the speaker grille. This is a bit of a nightmare for wax. Since there’s no removable barrier, earwax can get pushed directly into the fine acoustic mesh.
Pro tip: Don't use a toothpick. You’ll puncture the mesh. Use a dry, soft-bristled toothbrush or a specialized cleaning putty (like Blu-Tack, but the electronics-safe version). Gently "dab" the mesh to pull the debris out. If you try to wipe it, you’ll just smear the wax deeper into the holes, which will muffle your sound and ruin the ANC's ability to "read" your ear.
Final verdict on the fit
The lack of AirPods 4 ear tips isn't a bug; it's a feature. Apple is betting that you value the "nothing in my ear" feeling more than the "locked-in" feeling.
For about 80% of the population, it works. For the other 20%, it’s frustrating. If you fall into that 20%, don't waste too much money on generic silicone covers that don't fit in the case. It ruins the seamless experience that makes AirPods worth the price tag in the first place.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your return window: If you just bought them, wear them for 48 hours straight (with breaks). If they hurt or fall out more than twice, the "no-tip" life isn't for you.
- Test the "Twist": Insert the pods and rotate them slightly forward toward your mouth. This is the intended "lock" position.
- Avoid "Case-Incompatible" accessories: If you buy a third-party grip, make sure the listing explicitly shows the case closing. If you have to remove the skin every time you charge, you will eventually stop using the AirPods altogether out of annoyance.
- Clean the mesh weekly: Since you don't have a silicone tip to act as a shield, wax buildup is your #1 enemy for sound quality. A quick brush once a week keeps the "Computational Audio" sensors working correctly.
- Consider the Pros if you need "The Seal": If you find yourself constantly pressing the AirPods 4 into your ears to hear more bass, you're fighting the design. Swap them for the AirPods Pro 2, which come with four sizes of actual tips (XS, S, M, L).