Best AirPods cleaning kit 2023 - Our top picks

best AirPods cleaning kit

best AirPods cleaning kit

Getting any of the best AirPods cleaning kits is going to be useful if you're wanting to make sure your earphones are in tip-top condition.

AirPods, much like any other in-ear headphones, can be a bit of a trap for dust and earwax (over prolonged use), so keeping them clean is going to be vital for maintaining them and ensuring they look their best.

And if you've bought the new 2nd generation AirPods Pro, then you'll definitely want to cherish them and keep them nice and sparkling.

Like some of the best keyboard cleaners, a cleaning kit for AirPods will typically contain a mix of microfiber cloths, wipes and cotton buds to ensure you can clean every part of your intricate AirPods.

Each part of the kit is there to serve a slightly different purpose, so making sure you use every element gives you the best chance of keeping your AirPods in tip-top condition.

When it comes to deciding which kit to go for, the main thing to consider is how much cleaning you think you'll need to do. Some kits are just putty that allow you to clean easily, whereas others bring a selection of tools that let you deep clean your AirPods however you want.

With all this in mind, we’ve selected these cleaning kits based on our research into their specs, features, general reviews, and other general points that we think make them worth considering. Plus, we’ve answered some of your most frequently asked questions so you can pick the best ones for you.

So with that being said, let’s get into it – here are some top picks for the best AirPods cleaning kit available today.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit KeyBudz - KeyBudz Air Care AirPods Cleaning Kit

best airpods cleaning kit keybudz
expand image
Image Credit: KeyBudz

The KeyBudz Air Care AirPods Cleaning Kit looks like quite the all-round cleaning kit that should keep your AirPods squeaky clean.

It comes with all manner of instruments to keep your earphones in top condition, including two microfiber cloths, a set of bristle brushes, and some handy precision cotton swabs for getting into any really hard-to-reach places.

Read More: Best bone conduction headphones

As well as helping to remove any dirt and grime from your AirPods, there are also some anti-bacterial swabs contained within the cleaning kit, so they can also be sterilised too, to add an extra layer of protection.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit Hagibis - Hagibis Cleaning Pen

best airpods cleaning kit hagibis
expand image
Credit: Hagibis

The Hagibis Cleaning Pen isn't a traditional cleaning kit for your AirPods but is still quite a versatile option.

What you'll be getting here, as the name suggests, is a cleaning pen that comes with three different 'ends' as it were for different purposes.

Read More: Best compressed air for PC

These are a flocking sponge for cleaning the case itself, alongside a high-density brush for cleaning the grilles and a metal pen tip for specifically removing any dust trapped in the ports.

This kit makes for a minimal, but effective way of cleaning your AirPods, so if you like the idea of keeping space requirements low and avoiding the necessity of having to replenish cleaning wipes, then the Hagibis Cleaning Pen may be the choice for you.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit Reflying - Reflying AirPods Cleaning Kit

best airpods cleaning kit reflying
expand image
Image Credit: Reflying

If you're looking for a large variety of cleaning implements for your AirPods, then the Reflying AirPods Cleaning Kit looks like a great option.

In total, there are 34 cleaning tools with twenty swabs, as well as five soft bristle brushes and cleaning wipes so you have every eventuality covered.

Read More: Best noise-cancelling headphones under 100

For the purposes of sterilisation and deeper cleans, this kit also has a 50ml bottle of cleaning solution that you can use in conjunction with any of the variety of swabs to ensure a deep clean.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit ZBY - ZBY Cleaner Kit for AirPods

best airpods cleaning kit ZBY
expand image
Image Credit: ZBY

The ZBY Cleaner Kit for AirPods looks to be quite the versatile cleaning kit for your AirPods, as well as being a long-lasting one too.

This comes courtesy of the fact it not only allows you to clean your headphones but also your phone and computer keyboard, which is handy.

Read More: Best screen protector for Apple Pencil

Inside, you get 90 putty removers and 50 precision cotton swabs for AirPod cleaning, which should mean this kit will last for a good while.

Moreover, there are also a couple of different brushes for removing a large quantity of dust at once, as well as some reusable microfiber cloths, which are always useful to have around.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit AirSquares - AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty

best airpods cleaning kit airsquares
expand image
Image Credit: AirSquares

If you're wanting to keep things simple with regards to a cleaning kit, then the AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty should help you do just that.

What you're getting here is a lot of putty removers you can use to clean your AirPods, as opposed to any other brushes or cloths. This should allow you to clean the speaker mesh and charging port and is effective for cleaning smaller surfaces.

Read More: Best monitor cleaning wipes

In total, you should be getting twenty-four lots of putty, which should mean this kit will last you a good while and give you plenty of opportunities to keep your earphones clean.

Best AirPods Cleaning Kit YuCool - YuCool Cleaning Kit

best airpods cleaning kit yucool
expand image
Image Credit: YuCool

The YuCool Cleaning Kit looks like a marvellous choice if sterilisation is your top priority.

Inside, you'll be getting ten cleaning pads that feature 70% isopropyl alcohol that should help you remove any germs from your headphones, as well as rid them of any oily substances.

Alongside this, expect to find some antistatic cleaning brushes and some rather long swabs that can be used for accessing and cleaning out especially hard-to-reach areas such as the charging port. There's also a useful soft cloth you can use to mop up any remaining dust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding the best AirPod cleaning kit can be tricky and may lead to a ton of questions. Don't worry though, we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries right here.

Is an AirPods cleaning kit worth it?

In our humble opinion, an AirPods cleaning kit represents quite a valuable purchase, especially given that it gives you all the tools you need to keep your earbuds clean all in one place.

How much should I spend on a cleaning kit for my AirPods?

As a general rule, we'd say spending anywhere from $10 to $20 will get you a versatile cleaning kit with plenty of different implements you can use to keep your AirPods in top condition. Spending more is likely to get you a higher quantity of certain items such as swabs and brushes.

What should I look for in an AirPods cleaning kit?

We'd say one of the first things to look for with regards to an AirPods cleaning kit is the variety of different tools you get, and working out what you think you'll need to keep your earphones clean.

Some may come with a variety of different swabs, but others may have brushes, putty, and cleaning wipes, for instance.

In addition, it's also worth noting how much cleaning you think you're going to be doing, and how this will feed into how large of a cleaning kit you think you'll need.

What cleans AirPods the best?

As you'll see from the cleaning kits we've listed above, isopropyl alcohol can be a handy tool for cleaning your AirPods, be it in the form of actual liquid that you can use a swab with, or in the form of infused wipes.

This is because isopropyl alcohol, unlike ethanol, doesn't leave any oily traces on devices when used to clean, as well as the fact it evaporates more quickly than ethanol.

Will Silly Putty clean AirPods?

You can use Silly Putty or, as a matter of fact, any form of putty as a useful tool to clean your AirPods, and specifically, to help lift any grime away from your earphones.

Can I use compressed air to clean AirPods?

You can use compressed air to clean AirPods, although you will have to be very careful with how you apply it, as you may end up damaging the internal workings of the earbuds with too much concentrated force for too long.

How often should you clean AirPods?

As a general rule, we'd say to clean your AirPods every few days' worth of usage to keep on top of cleaning - between every 48 and 72 hours is most advisable, although if you wish to clean them more often, then that arguably wouldn't be an issue at all.

What happens if you don't clean your AirPods?

In short, they'll end up awfully grubby and horrible to look at, as well as potentially being immensely uncomfortable, as well as a potential place for bacteria to build up. Cleaning your AirPods every few days is vital to ensure that this doesn't happen.

Here's a study that looks at the effects of earpods , including the risk of ear infection if they aren't cleaned.