So I recently replaced my Note 8 with an iPhone X. With my purchase of the X, I now have pretty much an all Apple household (wife and I have the X, Apple TV, iPad, and a MBP). I’m looking into getting the AirPods for my wife and I, but I have a question about the feel when wearing them. Do they have the same in ear feel as the EarPods that come with the phone? If so, it’s a no for me. They are some of the most uncomfortable earbuds I’ve ever used. Are the AirPods more comfortable? And also, what alternatives would you suggest? I’m also looking into the Zolo Liberty +, but I don’t think the experience would be as seamless. Thoughts?
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AirPods in-ear feel
- Thread starter gpatrick15
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From the reviews I’ve read and watched, the consensus is that if you dislike the feel of EarPods you’ll dislike the feel of AirPods; the shape is the same although they are slightly larger to help stay in your ear. Someone makes silicon covers which are supposed to help, but you would have to remove them before using the charging case.
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No they do not feel the same as the old earbuds do. Like you, that was a huge concern of mine before I bought the AirPods. The old earbuds felt horrible to me, plus the sound quality was pretty bad too.
The AirPods feel real good and the sound quality is quite good too, especially considering their size.
I've literally used the AirPods on an active phone call for 4.5 hours recently and I didn't have any discomfort either.
I never used the ear buds that came with the phone, so the AirPods were my first experience and they fit very well for me.
My wife however was different; she used the buds for several months and hated them, however she's found that without the cable, the AirPods fit better and, although not perfect, are significantly better.
That said, everyone's ear is different so this is totally subjective and shouldn't be taken any other way.
I just bought some Airods 
love them. They fit my ears better then the EarPods did. They are a similar shape but slightly larger and more shaped, but everyone’s ears are different so it’s hard to judge. I thought about it the same as you.
But I think if EarPods fit then AirPods should be ok too, see if you can return them if not?
Oh and they sound great too, for me far better then Beats. I haven’t tested the high end Bose though. But the convenience of the AirPods can’t be beat.
love them. They fit my ears better then the EarPods did. They are a similar shape but slightly larger and more shaped, but everyone’s ears are different so it’s hard to judge. I thought about it the same as you.But I think if EarPods fit then AirPods should be ok too, see if you can return them if not?
Oh and they sound great too, for me far better then Beats. I haven’t tested the high end Bose though. But the convenience of the AirPods can’t be beat.
Buy a pair and return them if neither you nor your wife like them.
I don’t mean to sound flip, but I just deliberated for a week about buying an Apple Smart Keyboard for my iPad Pro (same cost as my AirPods), reading everyone’s opinions, watching YouTube videos, etc, but it came down to actually bringing one home and seeing how it fits.
Pretty much.
It's very subjective since all our ears are different.
For me, they feel similar, but I think the Airpods fit slightly better.
You must try them though because if they fit, you'll love em.
The AirPods fit differently for everybody. But the best part about them it’s not just the adequate sound, is also that they don’t have the weight of the wires pulling down from the regular EarPods, which make them much more comfortable in your ear and they are also extremely light weight, which also helps with the comfort.
The AirPods felt just like the EarPods for me. The AirPods always felt like they were just barely hanging in my ear. I could not doing anything without fear they would fall out. No gym, no running with them. I tried hard to like them.
Then again it’s probably more to do with the shape and form of my ear canal than anything else.
Then again it’s probably more to do with the shape and form of my ear canal than anything else.
Even better, visit an Apple Store and try them before buying.
I have never used the EarPods, but the AirPods are to me, one of the best tech items that I have ever purchased.
Are they the BEST earbuds available? I’m sure they are not. But, for the price, size, wireless, and compactness of them, I believe they are outstanding.
Are they the BEST earbuds available? I’m sure they are not. But, for the price, size, wireless, and compactness of them, I believe they are outstanding.
Although True, there is something very unappealing to say the least about trying on some AirPods that have been worn previously Someone else in their ears. I know Apple cleans them with a cleaning solution, but I would rather just purchase them and utilize the 14 day return policy if I did not like them versus trying them on in store.
EarPods hurt my ears, fall out and sound kinda bad. I can wear for AirPods hours, they stay in my ears and sound surprisingly great. They look the same, but they are not the same.
Both me and girlfriend likes our AirPods. But one complaint of mine is they don’t cancel outside Noise all that well.
As others have said already it’s worth trying them out yourself. Apple gives you 2 weeks return period in most countries anyway, no questions asked.
Personally the AirPods feel pretty much like EarPods, they sound slightly better but their audio quality is nothing worth mentioning, I find it mediocre at best. Sound isolation is not happening due to the open design and fit.
I use mine for situations where I need to listen to something quickly or where people will interrupt me often. It’s great that the playback stops automatically when you take them out of your ears.
Personally the AirPods feel pretty much like EarPods, they sound slightly better but their audio quality is nothing worth mentioning, I find it mediocre at best. Sound isolation is not happening due to the open design and fit.
I use mine for situations where I need to listen to something quickly or where people will interrupt me often. It’s great that the playback stops automatically when you take them out of your ears.