Apple AirPods Pro 3 fit issues and how to fix them

The newly-launched Apple AirPods Pro 3 are already proving contentious among earbud fans. While their redesign is subtle, many users are struggling to achieve a comfortable, long-lasting fit. Indeed, online communities are awash with comments complaining about the AirPods Pro 3 slipping out and rubbing against the ear. That’s not to mention the assuredly worse experience when taking the buds to the gym or on a jog around the park. But what exactly is causing this to happen in the first place, and what can you do about it? We cover all of the Apple AirPods Pro 3 fit issues and how to fix them.

Ergonomic or awkward?

Apple claims that the AirPods Pro 3’s new in-ear design fits more people than ever. This is reportedly based on 10,000 ear scans and more than 100,000 hours of user research. Ultimately, though, Apple re-engineered the internal architecture to make the AirPods Pro 3 bulb smaller. Hands-on experience shows that the ear tips protrude at a more inward-facing angle from the bulb than their predecessor. Likewise, the stem is marginally longer, thinner, and further from the bulb than the previous generation. Theoretically, the latter allows the earbuds to sit further inside the ear canal.

Unfortunately, the Apple AirPods Pro 3’s redesign is causing significant fit issues for some. For example, members of the Apple community have noted that the earbuds rattle around and often come loose during exercise. Others mention that the longer stems make it feel like the buds are pressing harder against the ear. Some even state that manufacturing errors with the new heart rate sensor are causing chafing against the tragus. While not true for everyone, these fit issues were seemingly less of a problem with older-generation AirPods.

New with the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are foam-infused ear tips. These are supposed to combine the best features of foam and silicone options into a one-stop shop, do-it-all solution. For example, the foam interior should compress more easily to conform to the shape of your ear canal, while the silicone exterior should protect the delicate foam inside from sweat and skin oils.

Unfortunately, these foam-infused ear tips are not the silver bullet many AirPods Pro 2 fans were hoping for. For starters, some Reddit users have noted that Apple’s new ear tips are easily tearable when making replacements. Similarly, the AirPods Pro 3 have retained their predecessor’s glossy plastic exterior, and the outside of the ear tips is still made of silicone. This means that the buds are prone to slipping out of place with increased sweat or skin oil buildup. If you had fit issues with the AirPods Pro 2, you’re likely to encounter similar problems with Apple’s latest iteration.

The true ear tip fit test

The first thing to remember is that no earbud shape is ubiquitously ergonomic — what fits you may not fit somebody else. At best, ear anatomy is weird, and some listeners (like me) have differently sized right and left ear canals. Consequently, affixing the correct ear tips to each earbud is vital for achieving long-lasting comfort. Spend some time experimenting with the included XXS to L ear tips and try different sizes in each ear. You can remove the ear tips safely by pinching the base and gently rotating them off the bud. Using a dry paper towel or a clean T-shirt can help with grip if the tips appear slippery.

Although extremely rare, some listeners are allergic to silicone ear tips. Thankfully, alternatives like the SpinFit CP100+ are an excellent option for those who can’t wear conventional ear tips. These use high-quality ISO10993-certified medical-grade silicone that reduces allergic reactions. Nevertheless, if you dislike the feel of silicone tips altogether, you may be served better by foam alternatives. We strongly recommend Comply Foam ($19 at Amazon) here at SoundGuys. These represent good value for money and improve sound quality.

If you are still struggling to achieve a consistent fit after replacing the ear tips, you may need to adjust the position of the buds in your ear. Try inserting the buds into your ear canal openings, rotating the stems towards your face, and pressing gently to secure them in place. You can then adjust the rotation and angle of the AirPods Pro 3 in each ear to customize the fit to your liking. Ideal placement should mean the buds do not come loose with head movement and do not exert excess pressure on the ear. You can test this with Apple’s Ear Tip Fit Test or the Test Acoustic Seal feature in the iOS Settings app.

It’s worth knowing your options before committing to a product mired in controversy. While not for everyone, some consumers live by the “try before you buy” mantra. Apple technically accommodates this by supplying sanitized demo AirPods in-store for users to try. However, sharing earbuds between listeners is incredibly unhygienic. Instead, we recommend purchasing the Apple AirPods Pro 3, trying them, and returning them within the 14-day window if they do not fit your ears. You can read Apple’s full returns policy here.

Apples and oranges

The simple fact is that the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 may not fit you. If that’s the case, you should consider alternatives that may better suit your needs. Thankfully, the industry is brimming with compelling earbuds for those with smaller and larger ears. Similarly, if you’re already happy with the Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($199.99 at Amazon), you may decide to skip upgrading altogether. After all, the AirPods Pro 2 already enjoy many of their refreshed siblings’ best features. These include Live Translation, spatial audio with head tracking, and Apple’s Hearing Health and Hearing Aid features.

If Apple’s earbuds are too big for your ears, you may be served well by the Anker Soundcore Space A40 ($79 at Amazon). These cost significantly less than the AirPods Pro 3 and measure just 30 x 20mm per bud. They also wear an IPX4-rated exterior to protect against sweat and last seven hours and 55 minutes per charge. Noise cancellation is excellent, quelling low incidental noises around 60Hz by as much as 40dB. Similarly, their default frequency response reproduces most music genres well. If it’s not to your liking, you can use the 8-band custom EQ or 22 presets in the Soundcore app. This is available for Android and iOS users and yields vital firmware updates, control customizations, and the company’s HearID feature.

Measuring 30 x 17 x 18 mm, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ($299.99 at Amazon) are a worthwhile option for people with larger ears. They’re also IPX4-rated and feature an earwax guard to protect the speaker mesh. They ship with differently sized concha fins and ear tips to secure a bespoke fit. The ovoid nozzle has also been redesigned from their predecessor and is now a more conducive shape to achieve a good seal. Bose’s updated buds support wireless charging, aptX Lossless via Snapdragon Sound, and improved transparency mode. They also feature excellent noise cancellation and spatial audio, although the sound quality may require tweaks.

If you’re fed up with fiddling around with in-ear buds, the Nothing Ear (Open) ($149 at Amazon) could be for you. These leave your ear canals unoccluded and stay in place by hooking around the back of your ear. They measure 14 x 51 x 41 mm and are IP54-rated to guard against sweat and small solid objects. Of course, their open-ear design means that you’ll be able to hear the rest of the world around you. The poor seal also reduces the perceived loudness of low-end frequencies. Nevertheless, the buds enjoy decent in-call noise rejection, last roughly eight hours per charge, and work in tandem with a comprehensive companion app. The last unlocks an 8-band parametric EQ, adjustable pinch controls, and low lag mode for gaming.

But what do you think? Have you experienced any fit issues with the Apple AirPods Pro 3, or are they the most comfortable earbuds you’ve worn so far? Let us know in the poll and comments section below!