Are refurbished AirPods hygienic?

Question

Accepted Answer

Yes. Professional refurbishers thoroughly clean and sanitize AirPods before resale. The cleaning process is a standard part of how Apple products get refurbished, and it applies to all audio products, including AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max.

What does the cleaning process involve?

Refurbishers typically follow these steps for AirPods:

Sanitization: The earbuds and charging case are cleaned with specialized solutions that remove bacteria and residue.
Ear tip replacement: For AirPods Pro, the silicone ear tips are replaced with new ones. Standard AirPods do not have removable tips.
Mesh and speaker grille cleaning: Speaker meshes are carefully cleaned to remove debris without damaging the components.
Charging case cleaning: The interior and exterior of the case are cleaned and inspected.

Apple Refurbished Store

Apple-refurbished AirPods are cleaned to Apple's own standards and come with new ear tips (for AirPods Pro). Apple also replaces the outer shell when needed, so the product looks and feels new.

Tips for peace of mind

If hygiene is a priority, you can take a few extra steps when you receive your refurbished AirPods:

Wipe the earbuds and case with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
For AirPods Pro, replace the ear tips with a fresh set (available from Apple for a small cost).
Check that the speaker grilles are clear of debris.