Cleaning AirPods and making them last: the key steps

Wireless earbuds are wear parts that sit in a warm, damp ear every day. No wonder they sound quieter after one or two years and run out of power sooner. Most of that can be fixed.

Why they get quieter

The most common reason is not a defect but simply blocked sound openings. Earwax and dust settle in the fine mesh and dampen the sound, usually on one side only. If one earbud is suddenly much quieter than the other, that is almost always the explanation.

How to clean them properly

• Take a soft, dry brush, for example a clean toothbrush with soft bristles, and brush the mesh carefully. Hold the earbud with the opening facing down so that crumbs fall out.
• A cotton bud or a wooden toothpick works well for the gaps. Important: no metal, it scratches the mesh and pushes dirt further in.
• Clean the charging contacts in the case with a dry cotton bud. If lint sits there, the earbuds no longer charge reliably.
• Silicone tips can be pulled off and cleaned with lukewarm water, but let them dry completely before you put them back on.

What you should not do: no liquid directly into the opening, no alcohol on the mesh, no compressed air from a can. All three push dirt and moisture deeper inside.

When the battery no longer lasts

The batteries in earbuds are tiny and age faster than the one in your phone. After around two to three years of regular use, a noticeably shorter runtime is normal. One sign: the same earbud always dies first, because you use it more often, for example for phone calls.

On most wireless earbuds this cannot be repaired economically, because the housings are glued shut. Replacement is the realistic option, and that is exactly where tested second-hand devices are worth a look instead of new goods at full price. Our audio range shows what is currently available.

Making the next pair last longer

Put the earbuds back in the case after use instead of in your trouser pocket, where they collect lint. Do not leave the case plugged in all night when it is full anyway. And clean the mesh briefly once a month instead of thoroughly once a year. It sounds trivial, but it realistically doubles the time until the first noticeable loss of quality.

Conclusion

Quiet sound is usually dirt and fixed in five minutes. Short runtime is battery ageing and unfortunately not repairable. Because both are quite predictable, it pays to make care a habit and to choose a refurbished device when it is time to replace them.