Express Yourself With the Best AirPods Cases
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Brenda-Stolyar.jpg)
the WIRED Gear team loves to obsess 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. 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 of wireless headphones. These are our favorite eccentric cases for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. If eccentric isn't your thing, we have some traditional options too.
Check out our many other buying guides, including the Best AirPods, Best iPhone 16 Cases, Best iPad Accessories, Best Wireless Earbuds, and Best MacBook Accessories.
Updated February 2025: We've added the Bandolier Avery AirPods Clip-On Pouch and the ESR Orbit Hybrid case.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
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 (4th Generation, ANC, 2024): A3056, A3055, A3057
- AirPods (4th Generation, 2024): A3053, A3050, A3054
- AirPods Max (USB-C, 2024): A3184
- AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, 2022): A2931, A2699, A2698
- AirPods Max (Lightning, 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.
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.
- Photograph: MUJJO
The High-End Case
Mujjo Echelon AirPods Pro 2 CaseThe 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)
- Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
The Clip-On Pouch
Bandolier Avery AirPods Clip-On PouchMost AirPods cases come with a clip you can attach to your bag or keys—but this case from Bandolier elevates the look. I keep it clipped to the outside of my tote bag, but you can attach it to the inside if there's a pocket.
Since it's a pouch, it doesn't attach to the top and bottom of the AirPods case like the other cases in this guide. But it's still protective, covering the entirety of the case (except the charging port). It's made of genuine pebble leather, giving it a bumpy texture that adds a nice high-end touch. It's available in several colors too, including black, pink, lavender, metallic blue, and more.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods (3rd and 4th generation).
- Photograph: Miak
The Carrier Case
Miak AirPods Pro 2 CaseThis 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)
- Photograph: Joyleop
The Pocky Case
Joyleop Pink Cookie CaseThis 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)
- Photograph: STSNano
The Snack Pack
STSNano Funny Food CaseIf 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 to offer solid 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 didn't fit my third-generation AirPods case 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)
- Photograph: MYCUTEPODS
The Spam Case
ReliableBuys Spam CaseI 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)
- Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A MagSafe Case
ESR Orbit Hybrid CaseMost cases in this guide have support for wireless charging, but if you're all in on MagSafe accessories, you'll love ESR’s Orbit case. It comes with magnets that attach securely to a MagSafe charger. The top and bottom pieces shut via magnets too, which helps keep the lid from accidentally sliding off (a common issue I've experienced with other AirPods cases). It's protective, with a shock-absorbing hard shell that helps shield it from falls. This also means it's bulkier than other cases I've tested, but that's not a deal-breaker for me. As someone who constantly drops her AirPods case, I'll take all the extra protection I can get.
Compatible with AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation) and AirPods Pro (4th generation)
- Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
A Minimalist Cover
Casetify Ripple CaseSoft-touch silicone cases are great because they're usually thin, light, and come in tons of colors. But they're also dust magnets. Casetify's Ripple Case is dust-proof thanks to an anti-static coating. This is important considering the AirPods Max doesn't have a dust-resistance rating. That way, you can worry a little less about dust seeping in.
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 definition to the earcups. I like the color options though I wish Casetify's logo wasn't stamped smack dab in the middle.
Compatible with AirPods Max and Smart Case
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Brenda-Stolyar.jpg)
- Photograph: Brenda Stolyar
An Understated Cover
Burga Wildflower AirPods Max CaseBurga's AirPods Max covers don't offer a ton of coverage 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). I tested the cute Wildflower print, but the company also offers several designs and patterns to choose from (six pages worth, to be exact)—with the option to buy matching accessories like an iPhone case, ring holder, power bank, and notebook.
Compatible with AirPods Max and Smart Case
Other Cases We’ve Tested and Like
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.
Nomad Leather AirPods Case for $40: Nomad also makes great leather cases for all AirPods generations, and they rival our top pick in quality. In fact, you can go with the same Ecco leather that Mujjo uses or pay up for Horween leather, which feels a bit more luxe and comes from an esteemed tannery in Chicago. They fit well, have a cutout for the LED on the front, and support wireless chargers.
Crochet Cat Airpods Case for $39: This crocheted cat case is the cutest thing ever, 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, I prefer Mujjo or Nomad's cases above. Bluebonnet's case is a single piece, and while it's made of top-grain leather, it doesn't 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, 2nd, and 4th generation) and AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
Cute Dinosaur AirPods Case for $14: 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 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. The additional pieces make for a tighter fit of the headphones on your head, which is ideal for me because the AirPods Max tend to slide off my head. Compatible with AirPods Max
Avoid These Cases
Jiunai Pop-It AirPods 2 Case for $7: My hands are in constant need of fidgeting, so naturally, I love a fidget toy to keep me occupied. I was 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 $12: 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.
Wired Coupons
10% Off Wayfair Promo Code with sign-up
20% off Dyson Promo Code
$50 Off In-Person Tax Prep When You Switch From Your Tax Current Provider
Up to $500 off cameras at Canon
Save extra 10% Off TurboTax
Exclusive: Up To 50% Off 6 Boxes With Factor Promo Code