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Which AirPods Do You Have?
The Retro Case
Casetify Retro Colorful Stickers – Sorority Camping Aesthetic
The High-End Case
Mujjo Echelon AirPods Pro 2 Case
The Carrier Case
Miak AirPods Pro 2 Rimowa Case
Lately, some of us on the WIRED Gear team have been obsessing over AirPods cases. Not just any old cases—we’re talking about ones that look like sneakers, candy, luggage, cell phones, or even tins of Spam, allowing us to show off our personalities. Yes, I really do love Spam so much that I’d carry a can on my person at all times. Are these cases as charming, durable, and protective in person as they appear online? To find out, we tested several across Apple’s lineup. These are our favorite eccentric cases for the standard AirPods (first, second, and third generation), the AirPods Pro (first and second generation), and the AirPods Max.
Be sure to check out our many other buying guides, including the Best AirPods, Best iPhone 14 Cases and Accessories, Best iPad Accessories, Best Wireless Earbuds, and Best MacBook Accessories.
Medea Giordano and Julian Chokkattu contributed to this guide.
Updated July 2024: We’ve added covers for the AirPods Max from Wildflower, Casetify, and Burga, along with the Cute Dinosaur AirPods Case and Mindresy Silicone Case Cover for AirPods Max to Honorable Mentions. We also added details on how we test each case.
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Photograph: Apple
Which AirPods Do You Have?
How do you know which case to buy? Apple has several generations of its AirPods, whether you have the standard AirPods or the AirPods Pro, so be sure the case you select works with your model. (Some cases are interchangeable, particularly the first- and second-generation AirPods and the first- and second-generation AirPods Pro.) To find what you have, head to Settings > Bluetooth on the Apple device you’ve paired it with. Tap on the “i” icon next to your AirPods’ name and you’ll see a model number. If your AirPods aren’t connected to an Apple device, you can find the model number on the device itself. It’s on the underside of each earbud—you might need to use the magnify feature on your smartphone to view it.
Once you have a model number, you can cross-reference it with this guide to figure out the generation, or check the list below:
- AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, 2022): A2931, A2699, A2698
- AirPods Max (2020): A2096
- AirPods Pro (1st Generation, 2019): A2084, A2083
- AirPods (3rd Generation, 2021): A2565, A2564
- AirPods (2nd Generation, 2019): A2032, A2031
- AirPods (1st Generation, 2017): A1523, A1722
You probably know if you bought a different case for your AirPods, but it’s worth checking the case’s model number too, as Apple has released stand-alone models with wireless charging and MagSafe support. You can find those details here.
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Photograph: CASETIFY
The Retro Case
Casetify Retro Colorful Stickers – Sorority Camping Aesthetic
I put stickers on everything. My Kindle, MacBook, and water bottle are covered with ’em, which is why I immediately gravitated toward this case. These “stickers” are technically printed onto the case, but they still mimic that aesthetic. I also love that the case is squishy and sparkly, which feels reminiscent of the jelly sandals I used to wear as a kid. Retro vibes all around.
Wireless charging worked perfectly fine, and there’s a spot carved out for the LED indicator. It’s made of 65 percent recycled and plant-based materials, a part of which is made from upcycled phone cases. Casetify says there’s an antimicrobial coating that eliminates bacteria, but take these claims with a grain of salt. It doesn’t claim to protect you from viruses, and there’s not much evidence that an antimicrobial case will reduce the risk of disease.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd generation)
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Photograph: MUJJO
The High-End Case
Mujjo Echelon AirPods Pro 2 Case
The Mujjo case is one of my favorite Apple accessories, period. It’s made from Ecco leather, which uses a vegetable-tanning process to reduce environmental impact, and the blue leather is soft and thick. Wireless charging works with my charging pad, and I can clearly see the charging light and hear the Find My speaker through the cutouts. The molded leather nub for the pairing button at the back also works. It’s gorgeous, discreet, and feels smooth and cool in the palm of my hand—just like the AirPods Pro themselves.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
★ An alternative: Nomad also makes great leather cases for all AirPods generations. You can go with the same Ecco leather that Mujjo uses or pay up for Horween leather, which feels a bit more luxe. They fit well, have a cutout for the LED on the front, and work well with wireless chargers.
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Photograph: Miak
The Carrier Case
Miak AirPods Pro 2 Rimowa Case
This mini suitcase is one of the most popular accessories I’ve seen on TikTok, and pasting on the adorable, tiny stickers is loads of fun. There are several sheets of them, and they’re astonishingly specific. There’s even a sticker for a local Portland brewery (where I live)! The company claims the case is made from a sturdy thermoplastic polyurethane, but to my hand, it feels a lot lighter and more flimsy than several of the other cases I’ve tried. However, I had no trouble with wireless charging, and there’s a cutout to see the charging light. There’s no cutout for the speaker, but I can still hear it when I turn on Apple’s Find My function.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
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Photograph: Joyleop
The Pocky Case
Joyleop Pink Cookie Case
This case gave me the most instant, incredible joy (and apparently my daughter as well, who absconded with it). It’s a little bigger than you might expect, to maintain the shape of the Pocky box—I measured it at 2.5 inches tall. It’s made from a stiffer silicone than the handmade Etsy Spam case below, so it holds its shape better, and the patterned silicone is clear and incredibly detailed. It doesn’t work with wireless charging, and you can’t see the charging light, but the speaker on the second-gen AirPods Pro comes through clearly when I use the Find My app to ping its location.
This brand has several other amazing styles if you’re not crazy about Pocky, including Hubba Bubba Bubble Tape, Cheetos, and Nerds, though we haven’t tried them.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
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Photograph: STSNano
The Snack Pack
STSNano Funny Food Case
If you can’t tell, we’re huge fans of AirPods cases that look like food—including this variety pack that resembles a carton of Goldfish, a pack of Skittles, and a bag of Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups. Each case is thick enough that it offers a solid amount of protection from drops, but they’re still lightweight and easy to carry in my jacket pocket or tote bag. These have been great conversation starters too. It’s hard to pull ’em out without someone commenting on how cute they look.
The Skittles case in particular didn’t fit my third-generation AirPods perfectly at first, but the silicone stretched itself out after a bit. All of them support the wireless charging feature on the case, but it’s impossible to see the indicator light. It’s easy enough to plug in my Lightning cable through the open slot on the underside.
Compatible with AirPods (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
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Photograph: MYCUTEPODS
The Spam Case
ReliableBuys Spam Case
I unreservedly recommend Etsy as a source for interesting and unusual cases. I pulled out an actual can of Spam to compare with this handmade silicone case. The resemblance is not 100 percent accurate (the picture on the front of the real can is a Spam sandwich, not a Spam slice!), but it’s more than enough to get the gist across. There’s even nutritional information on the back!
However, the shape bows out slightly at the sides, it doesn’t work with wireless charging, and there’s no cutout in the front to see the charging light. But for under $20, who cares? This will make a great stocking stuffer for your Spam-loving significant other. We originally tested the version from Etsy but those have since sold out. We did, however, find an identical case on Amazon.
Compatible with AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Quirky Cover
Casetify Celine Kwan Headphone Flower Cover
I first saw this AirPods Max cover on Casetify’s Instagram last year and immediately fell in love. Unlike the other covers I’ve tested with these headphones, these are 3D. So, that means they’re far from discreet—be prepared to turn some heads while wearing them in public. They’re expensive, but I see these as both an art piece and an accessory.
In addition to being super fun and quirky, they’re solid at protecting the outside of the AirPods Max and are easy to put over the ear cups. The cinched fabric hugs the ear cups tight and the snap enclosure keeps the covers from sliding off. They’re also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about adding additional weight to headphones that are already heavy for some. My only gripe is that it covers the control buttons on both earcups, so you’ll have to use your phone to adjust volume or access playback controls comfortably. It’s also worth noting these don’t fit into the Smart Case cover either.
Compatible with AirPods Max
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Cute and Fun Cover
Wildflower Peony Floral AirPods Max Cover
I’m already obsessed with Wildflower’s phone cases (I’m currently using the Bloom Case with my iPhone 15 Pro) and the company’s AirPods Max cases don’t disappoint either. For starters, you’ll have the choice between a ton of prints including florals, fruits, animals, and more. I’ve been switching between the Peony Floral covers (which look really pretty against my silver AirPods Max) and the Bear-y Bow Dream covers (which are adorable).
They’re made of plastic, but they feel a lot like silicone in terms of their malleability. The flexibility makes them easy to install too. Simply place them over each ear cup and press down. Even though they’re thin and light, they feel durable. According to Wildflower, they’re also both scratch-resistant and shock-absorbent—both of which are necessary for those who tend to drop their AirPods Maxes often. You’ll also get full coverage around both ear cups, along with precise cutouts on both sides for easy access to the buttons and controls.
Compatible with AirPods Max and Smart Case
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Minimalist Cover
Casetify Ripple Case
Soft-touch silicone cases are great because they’re usually thin, light, and available in tons of colors. But they’re also dust magnets. Casetify’s Ripple Case, however, is dust-proof. This is important, seeing as how the AirPods Max doesn’t have a dust-resistance rating. That way, you can rest assured your expensive over-the-ear headphones are safe from attracting dust particles.
Unlike the Celine Kwan flower cover, the Ripple case includes cutouts for the buttons, making them super easy to access. They also fit perfectly over the earcups. And, as the same suggests, these come with a ripple pattern that adds some cool-looking definition to the cases. You’ll also have the choice between a few colors including white, Primrose Pink, and Sky Blue. I do wish Casetify’s logo wasn’t stamped smack dab in the middle, though.
Compatible with AirPods Max and Smart Case
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Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
An Understated Cover
Burga Wildflower AirPods Max Case
Burga’s AirPods Max covers don’t offer as much coverage as the Wildflower version above, but that’s intentional—so that all the ports remain open and accessible. It still covers a majority of each earcup regardless. This also makes them easy to snap on and off (other plastic covers I’ve tested require a bit of wrestling to take each cover off). According to Burga, these are scratch-resistant too.
I tested the cute and subtle Wildflower print. But the company also offers a ton of designs and patterns to choose from (six pages worth, to be exact)—with the option to also buy matching accessories like an iPhone case, ring holder, power bank, and notebook.
Compatible with AirPods Max and Smart Case
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Photograph: FaFaAccessory
Honorable Mentions
Other Good AirPods Cases
Not all cases we tested are winners, but we still like ’em enough to recommend them if you enjoy the style. We’ll continue testing more AirPods cases as we get them.
Crochet Cat Airpods Case for $29: This crocheted cat case is the cutest I’ve seen so far, with a little fish bag looped around the shoulder and a bell on the collar. I like that the top and bottom pieces are connected, instead of being two separate pieces. However, the AirPods don’t fit snugly—there’s a bit of space at the bottom. The exact case and seller we got this from appear to no longer be active on Etsy, but we’ve linked to another one that looks identical. Compatible with AirPods (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) —Medea Giordano
Bluebonnet Leather AirPods Case for $40: If you’re after a leather case, we strongly recommend you go with the Mujjo or Nomad picks above. Bluebonnet’s case is a single piece, and while it’s made of top-grain leather, it doesn’t really feel all that exquisite. There’s a cutout for the LED light, and wireless charging works perfectly. The pictures on Bluebonnet’s site feel a little deceptive, though—when the case is open, a part of it lifts up out of the bottom section of the case, which doesn’t look right, and Bluebonnet doesn’t show this on its product page. Compatible with AirPods (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
Cute Dinosaur AirPods Case for $15: This case isn’t just super cute, it does a great job of protecting the AirPods case. Given its shape, it’s bulkier than a lot of other AirPods cases, but that comes with the territory of choosing a dinosaur shape. Unfortunately, I noticed that it stains easily over time (likely from being exposed to debris or dust). Compatible with AirPods (3rd Generation)
Mindresy Silicone Case Cover for AirPods Max for $14: If you’re hesitant about whether or not you want covers for your AirPods Max, these are a solid, affordable option to start with. My favorite thing about this set is that, in addition to the earcup covers, you also get covers for the earpad and headband. I have two gripes though—the cutouts aren’t exact, but still accessible, and the silicone attracts tiny dust particles that can be frustrating to pick off. It’s worth noting that the additional pieces make for a tighter fit, which is ideal for me because the AirPods Max tends to slide off my head a lot. Compatible with AirPods Max
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Photograph: Jiunai
Do Not Recommend
Avoid These Cases
Jiunai Pop-It AirPods 2 Case for $8: My hands are in constant need of activity, so naturally, I love a fidget toy to keep me occupied. I was really excited to try this case, hoping it would give my hands something to do other than open and close my AirPods 300 times in a row. Despite the positive Amazon reviews, it wasn’t fun or satisfying to push the bubbles. The top part doesn’t even stay on. —Medea Giordano
Olytop Floral Shell AirPods Pro Case for $10: I’ve been using this case with my second-generation AirPods Pro. It’s clear, which makes it easy to see the LED light at all times, and the sparkly, floral print adds a fun touch. Instead of a carabiner clip, it comes with a cute, pearl-beaded lanyard. It does a good job at shielding the case when it’s on my desk or in my bag, but the top cover tends to slide off—specifically when hitting the ground, which is the exact opposite of what a protective case should do.
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Photograph: CASETIFY
How We Test AirPods Cases
Although multiple people are testing different cases for this guide, we evaluate them all similarly. For starters, we grade how well it works with built-in AirPods features. We consider it a great cover if it doesn’t get in the way of certain capabilities like wireless charging, seeing the LED indicator clearly (to see the battery level and charging status at a glance), and the ability to hear the Find My tone when looking for your AirPods case (some cases cover the speakers). For the AirPods Max, we also check that you can easily access all the controls on both earcups.
Most important, we judge these based on how well the covers protect our AirPods on a daily basis—whether on our desks or in our pockets and purses. We also grade how well they protect our AirPods cases from falls, specifically checking whether the cover is snug enough that it doesn’t fall off when it hits the ground and if the case itself remains unscathed. For the most part, we test each case for about a month (if not more), to make sure they remain durable over time.