You just spent $249. You open the white box, pop the buds in, and… they feel kinda loose. Or maybe they’re digging into your ear canal like a plastic chisel. It’s the classic AirPods Pro rubber tips struggle. Most people just live with it, assuming their ears are the problem. Honestly? It’s usually the tips.
Apple calls them silicone, but we all call them rubber. They’re these tiny, pliable mushrooms that act as the gatekeeper between you and that "Transparent" mode magic. If they don't seal, the noise cancellation is trash. If they’re too big, you get a headache.
The Physics of the "Perfect Seal"
Why do these little pieces of silicone even matter? Because of the Ear Tip Fit Test. You’ve probably seen it in your Bluetooth settings. It uses the internal microphones to listen for sound leakage. If the AirPods Pro rubber tips aren't creating an airtight vacuum, the low-frequency waves escape. You lose the bass. The ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) has to work twice as hard to compensate for the air gap. It’s basically like trying to air-condition a house with the windows open.
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Apple ships three sizes in the box (or four if you have the Gen 2s, which added the XS). But here’s the kicker: your left ear and your right ear are likely different sizes. Seriously. Evolution is messy. I’ve met plenty of people who wear a Medium in the left and a Large in the right. If you’re forcing a symmetrical fit, you’re doing it wrong.
Silicone vs. Memory Foam: The Great Debate
The stock AirPods Pro rubber tips are made of liquid silicone. It’s durable. It’s easy to clean with a damp cloth. But silicone is slippery. If you’re sweating at the gym or just have naturally oily skin, those buds are going to slide out. It’s inevitable.
This is where the aftermarket explodes. Companies like Comply and Foam Masters make memory foam tips. They’re basically like earplugs. You squish them, insert them, and they expand to fill every nook and cranny.
The trade-off? Foam tips degrade. Fast. You’ll be lucky to get three months out of a pair before they start looking like a crumbled biscuit. They also soak up earwax in a way that’s—let's be real—pretty gross. Silicone is the "forever" option, but foam is the "comfort" option. Choose your struggle.
How to Actually Change the Tips Without Breaking Them
I’ve seen people rip the silicone right off the plastic mounting bracket because they were too scared to pull. Don't be timid. The AirPods Pro rubber tips are held on by a click-into-place proprietary notch. To get them off, flip the rubber skirt inside out. Grab the base firmly. Pull hard. You’ll hear a "pop." That’s the sound of success, not destruction.
When you put the new ones on, align the oval shape of the tip with the oval shape of the bud. If you try to force it at a 90-degree angle, you’ll bend the mesh. Once it clicks, you're golden.
The Hidden Mesh Problem
Have you noticed your volume getting quieter over time? Or maybe the ANC sounds "tinny"? Check the mesh inside the tip. Apple integrated a tiny black screen into the AirPods Pro rubber tips themselves. This is actually genius because it keeps the wax out of the actual driver.
However, that mesh gets clogged. If you aren't popping these tips off once a week and giving them a wipe, you’re listening to music through a wall of debris. A bit of Blu-Tack or a dedicated cleaning pen works wonders here. Just don't use a needle; if you puncture that mesh, the acoustic seal is toast.
Third-Party Solutions: Are They Worth It?
If the Apple tips just aren't clicking for you, you aren't alone. There are specialized "hybrid" tips now. SpinFit is a big name in this space. Their CP1025 tips have a patented swivel axis. Basically, the tip can tilt to follow the specific curve of your ear canal.
Then there’s the "Small" vs "Extra Small" conundrum. If you have tiny ears, even the Apple XS tips can feel like a stubborn cork. Third-party brands often offer "Ultra Small" versions that Apple refuses to manufacture. It’s a niche market, but for some, it's the difference between using their $250 headphones or leaving them in a drawer.
Real Talk on Longevity
Rubber doesn't last forever. Even if you're meticulous. Over time, the oils from your skin break down the silicone's elasticity. They get "softer" and lose their grip. If you’ve had your AirPods for over a year and they feel looser than they used to, it’s probably time for a fresh set of AirPods Pro rubber tips. It’s the cheapest "upgrade" you can give yourself. For about eight bucks, you get that "new headphone" feel back instantly.
Actionable Next Steps for Better Sound
- Run the Fit Test again. Go to Settings > Bluetooth > Your AirPods (i) > Ear Tip Fit Test. Do it in a noisy room. If it fails, you know the seal is compromised.
- Try the "Inside-Out" trick. If your tips keep falling out, flip the rubber skirt inside out and wipe the inner stem with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol. Often, it's just manufacturing oils or earwax making the connection slick.
- Mix and Match. Don't be afraid to use a Small in one ear and a Medium in the other. Your ears aren't twins; they're sisters. Treat them that way.
- Buy a multipack. If you’re going third-party, get the pack that has S, M, and L included first. Don't guess. Once you find your size, then you can buy the bulk packs of just that specific fit.
- Clean the mounting groove. When you take the tips off, use a dry Q-tip to clean the white plastic area on the bud itself. Gunk builds up there and can prevent the tip from clicking in securely, leading to the dreaded "tip stayed in my ear" situation.
Stop settling for "okay" fitment. The hardware is too good to be ruined by a poorly seated piece of rubber. Get in there, swap the sizes, and actually hear what the engineers intended.