Apple AirPods 3 need to ditch the stems — here’s why

Apple tree AirPods 3 need to ditch the stems — here'due south why

Apple AirPods need to ditch the stem — here's why

(Prototype credit: Tom'southward Guide)

I hope the Apple tree AirPods 3 or Apple AirPods Pro 2 don't have stems. But I know the rumored next-generation versions of Apple'due south earbuds probably won't ditch the product's iconic design element, specially non for a minor — and very "me" — inconvenience.

I've had my ears pierced since the third grade, and through waves of unlike styles of earrings regularly. Right at present, I'm wearing simple pearl studs afterwards beingness gifted a pair a few weeks ago. Simply as long as I want to keep my lobes adorned, I might need to avert Apple AirPods, some of the best wireless earbuds effectually.

See the best AirPods deals right now
Our meridian picks of the all-time racket-cancelling earbuds
More than: Apple AirPods 3 could launch today — and be more expensive than AirPods two

Sitting at a desk-bound about of the solar day, I didn't realize the stems of my AirPods Pro graze the acme of my ear candy. But as I shuffled around my flat I noticed a clicking noise. I can't say information technology bothered me enough to investigate.

However, when I kept in my AirPods Pro while continuing a phone telephone call on a short walk to the pharmacy, the person on the other finish asked if I were using a typewriter.

I couldn't hear the severity of the rhythmic clacking my call mate complained virtually, but I could certainly feel it — the light tapping of my earbud stem confronting my earring. Perhaps "rattling" is a improve style to explain the sensation. I twisted the bud to orient more than horizontally than I normally vesture AirPods Pro so the stem wouldn't come about my jewelry.

Promising to call my friend back later while stationary in a repose apartment, I connected my walk, but the adjustment I made didn't last. Before I got back domicile, the stems once again made contact with my earrings.

Look, I've preached well-nigh breaking up with wireless earbuds entirely for almost a year. Enough of the best headphones don't have stems (or fall out of my ears while I'yard running,) but the convenience of AirPods is hard to beat.

Betwixt the effortless pairing via H1, adept battery life and exceptional portability, I'm however attracted to AirPods later on testing alternatives like the PowerBeats Pro and Jabra Elite Active 75t. I wear Apple AirPods Max when I can, only those are difficult to tote around. Yes, even with the case that turns the headband into a carrying handle.

I wish Apple tree would make a pair of AirPods only as reliable every bit the rest, that fit in my pocket and don't have stems. And I might not exist the only person who has this request. I establish a Reddit thread and a MacRumors back up forum where users discuss suffering my aforementioned outcome.

One respondent who probably doesn't wearable earrings suggested taking off earrings when you lot wear AirPods. Hello? My style reputation is already fragile enough from virtually two years of working from habitation in sweatpants. So If the AirPods holds on to its stems, I gauge I'll need these earrings from Amazon that agree AirPods in identify.

Next: The best Apple AirPods alternatives nosotros've tested

Kate Kozuch is a senior author at Tom's Guide covering wearables, TVs and everything smart-home related. When she'due south not in cyborg mode, you can find her on an exercise wheel or channeling her inner celebrity chef. She and her robot regular army volition dominion the earth i 24-hour interval, but until then, reach her at kate.kozuch@futurenet.com.