Much like our phones and smartwatches, earbuds are one of the most important pieces of tech we carry everywhere. They’re often expensive, as high-end earbuds with amazing sound and features like ANC can set you back a pretty penny.
That’s why protecting them has never been more important. While most people immediately cover their phones with a silicone case, they often forget that their expensive earbuds deserve the same treatment.
Earbuds are easy to break (ask me how I know)
You’re walking down the street, fumbling in your pocket for something. Your charging case slips out, hits the concrete, and the earbuds get launched like tiny missiles. Has it ever happened to you?
If you own true wireless earbuds, the answer is probably yes.
It’s happened to me several times, and it’s never pretty. Some of my past earbuds survived nasty drops. Unfortunately, more often than not, they took real damage—sometimes even affecting the sound. One of my earbuds stopped working altogether after a particularly brutal drop at the gym.
Even if your earbuds survive a single drop, repeated drops are still enough to damage them. They’re small, light, and delicate, with tiny batteries, drivers, and microphones that can easily get dislodged.
Credit: Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
When dropped along with the heavier charging case, things get worse: the case hits the ground harder and can crack, while the earbuds shoot several feet away, potentially under someone’s foot, a passing car, or even onto subway tracks—please, never chase your earbuds if you do drop them.
All of this isn’t such a big deal if you have a $30 pair of earbuds, but given how popular high-end earbuds are, a drop can be a real financial setback.
Nice earbuds like the Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and the pricey Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX all cost almost as much as a budget Android phone—and I’m sure people are protecting even those phones with cases.
Credit: Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
So why wouldn’t you invest $10 or $20 in a nice silicone case to protect your earbuds from nasty drops? While the case won’t make the earbuds indestructible, you’re much less likely to drop them, and any fall that does happen is usually less damaging and unpredictable.
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Cases sometimes come with unexpected features
When I bought a case for my SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, I was a little surprised that it came with a carabiner. I didn’t know what to do with it at first and even considered removing it, but once I started using it, I couldn’t believe how much convenience that little clip added to everyday use.
I now regularly use the carabiner to attach the hefty earbud case to my backpack. If I’m not wearing one, I can at least clip it to my keychain so it’s always in the same place.
I also use it to attach the earbuds to whatever exercise machine I’m using or to my water bottle at the gym. The case is too large to keep in my pocket, and this is much safer than leaving it on the floor where someone might step on my beloved earbuds. I also keep my locker room key attached to the earbuds.
Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek
Carabiners are just one of the useful features you might find on earbud cases, though.
Some hardshell cases (usually only available for popular earbud models) include a locking mechanism, which is a must-have if you want full protection during drops. Otherwise, your earbuds can still shoot out when you drop the case.
Some cases have magnets instead of a lock to ensure a strong hold during drops. While not as secure, it’s still better than nothing. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a case with a locking mechanism for my particular earbuds.
Speaking of magnets, MagSafe is another awesome feature you’ll find in some cases, like the ESR for AirPods 4 case. If your earbuds support wireless charging but don’t have built-in magnets, this alone can be a massive upgrade for day-to-day use.
Color Options
Black
Brand
ESR
This ESR case for AirPods 4 adds drop protection to your pair of AirPods. It has a magnetic lid lock and full MagSafe compatibility for easy wireless charging.
If there isn’t a silicone case for your earbuds, you can get a universal clamshell
Unfortunately, not all earbuds have cases available for them. The good news is that you don’t even need one, as you can just get a universal storage zipper case and store the earbuds in there.
Color Options
Black
Clip Included?
Yes
This compact EVA zippered case offers solid protection for earbuds and small tech accessories, with a soft interior and handy mesh pocket. The included carabiner makes it easy to clip onto a backpack or keychain, making it a simple, affordable option for everyday carry.
Many of them even leave extra room for other accessories like charging cables, SD cards, and flash drives, making them the perfect solution for storing your smaller items when traveling. They might even provide some water resistance.
The only major downside of these cases is that you have to unzip them before you can access your earbuds, which adds an extra couple of seconds every time you want to take your earbuds out or put them back in. But if you have an expensive pair of earbuds and can’t find a case, this is a lot better than having no protection at all.
It’s a small upgrade that helps your earbuds last longer
Credit: Ismar Hrnjicevic / How-To Geek
Earbud cases provide a cheap, easy, and yet effective solution for protecting your pricey gadget. It’s a small investment that can save you from a much bigger replacement cost down the line.
Plus, on top of adding protection from drops, some models add massive convenience features like magnets for MagSafe wireless charging and carabiners so that you can clip your earbuds to your backpack.
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