Stop losing your earbuds and buy a protective case
Just like our phones and smartwatches, headphones are one of the most important pieces of technology we carry everywhere. They’re often expensive, as high-end headphones with incredible sound and features like ANC can cost you a pretty penny.
That’s why their protection has never been more important. While most people immediately cover their phone with a silicone case, they often forget that their expensive headphones deserve the same treatment.
Earbuds are easy to break (ask me how I know)
You walk down the street, digging in your pocket for something. Your charging case slips, hits the concrete, and the earbuds are launched like tiny missiles. Has this ever happened to you?
If you own true wireless earbuds, the answer is probably yes.
This has happened to me several times and it’s never pretty. Some of my old headphones have survived nasty drops. Unfortunately, more often than not, they suffered real damage, sometimes even affecting the sound. One of my headphones stopped working completely after a particularly hard fall at the gym.
Even if your headphones survive a single fall, repeated drops are enough to damage them. They are small, light and delicate, with tiny batteries, drivers and microphones that can easily become dislodged.
When it falls with the heavier charging case, things get worse: the case hits the ground harder and can crack, while the earbuds shoot several feet away, potentially under someone’s foot, a passing car, or even onto the subway tracks. Please never chase your headphones if you drop them.
All of this isn’t so bad if you own a pair of $30 headphones, but given the popularity of high-end headphones, a drop can be a real financial setback.
Nice headphones like the Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro, and the expensive Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX all cost almost as much as a budget Android phone — and I’m sure people even protect these phones with cases.
So why not invest $10 or $20 in a nice silicone case to protect your headphones from nasty drops? While the case doesn’t make the earbuds indestructible, you’re much less likely to drop them, and any drops that do occur are generally less damaging and unpredictable.
Why should you pay extra for a good phone case
Don’t protect your $1,000 investment with a $10 piece of plastic.
Cases sometimes have unexpected features
When I purchased a case for my SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, I was a little surprised that it came with a carabiner. At first I didn’t know what to do with it and even considered removing it, but once I started using it I couldn’t believe how much convenience this little clip added to everyday use.
I now regularly use the carabiner to attach the large earphone case to my backpack. If I don’t carry one, I can at least hang it on my key ring so it’s always in the same place.
I also use it to attach the headphones to the exercise machine I’m using or to my water bottle at the gym. The case is too big to keep in my pocket, and it’s much safer than leaving it on the floor where someone might step on my beloved headphones. I also keep my locker room key attached to the headphones.
However, carabiners are just one of the useful features you might find on earphone cases.
Some hard cases (usually only available for popular earphone models) include a locking mechanism, which is essential if you want complete protection in the event of a fall. Otherwise, your earphones may still explode when you drop the case.
Some cases have magnets instead of a lock to provide a strong hold during drops. Even though it’s not as secure, it’s still better than nothing. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find a case that had a locking mechanism for my particular headphones.
Speaking of magnets, MagSafe is another awesome feature you’ll find in some cases, like the ESR Case for AirPods 4. If your earbuds support wireless charging but don’t have built-in magnets, that alone can be a huge upgrade for everyday use.
- Color options
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Black
- Brand
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CSR
This ESR AirPods 4 case adds drop protection to your pair of AirPods. It features a magnetic lid lock and full MagSafe compatibility for easy wireless charging.
If there is no silicone case for your headphones, you can get a universal case
Unfortunately, not all headphones have cases. The good news is that you don’t even need one, because you can simply get a universal zippered storage case and store the headphones in it.
- Color Options
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Black
- Clip included?
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Yes
This compact, zippered EVA case provides sturdy protection for headphones and small tech accessories, with a soft interior and a convenient mesh pocket. The included carabiner makes it easy to attach to a backpack or keychain, making it a simple and affordable option for everyday carry.
Many of them even leave extra room for other accessories such as charging cables, SD cards and USB sticks, making them the perfect solution for storing your small items when traveling. They might even offer some water resistance.
The only major downside to these cases is that you have to unzip them before you can access your earbuds, which adds a few extra seconds every time you want to take your earbuds out or put them back in. But if you have an expensive pair of headphones and can’t find a case, it’s much better than having no protection at all.
It’s a small upgrade that makes your headphones last longer
Headphone cases offer a cheap, simple and yet effective solution to protecting your expensive gadget. This is a small investment that can save you a much higher replacement cost in the long run.
Plus, in addition to adding drop protection, some models add very handy features like magnets for MagSafe wireless charging and carabiners so you can attach your headphones to your backpack.
I refuse to buy headphones without this revolutionary feature
Once you get used to this feature, it’s hard to go back.
