The 9 Best Earbud Cleaning Kits of 2023

Regular cleaning can extend the life of your earbuds and protect your ears from infection

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People / Kristin Kempa

Much like our smartphones, our AirPods have become so intertwined with our daily lives that it’s hard to imagine commuting, exercising, and even working without them. But here’s the thing: They’re also a breeding ground for bacteria, prone to getting clogged by earwax, and can get pretty gross, in general, from all of the daily use. This is why it’s important to give earbuds a good and regular clean.

“Cleaning your earbuds regularly reduces the risk of infection and preserves good sound quality,” says Dr. Amy Sarow, an audiologist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. She explains that this is especially true if you use your earbuds during workouts since cleaning them adequately can prevent the build-up of debris and bacteria.

Whether you have never cleaned your earbuds before (we won’t judge!) and need the tools to get started or are looking for a more convenient and efficient way to remove wax, wipe away sweat, and lift off the grime from your AirPods, an ear bud cleaning kit is an excellent thing to have on hand.

From gift-worthy pouches to drugstore kits on Amazon, here are the best earbud cleaning kits.

Amazon

Someone looking for a versatile earbud cleaning kit that includes everything you might need (and then some)

Those who prefer a simple, on-the-go option without all the extra tools and cleaning products

The AKIKI Cleaner Kit is one of the most extensive earbud cleaning kits on Amazon. It comes with a variety of supplies to clean everything from your AirPods to your smartphone, including a charging hole cleaning brush, a microfiber brush, a round metal nib, alcohol wipes, cleaning putty, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Plus, it features a reusable case so you can easily store everything together in a convenient and organized way. The earbud cleaning kit comes in black and white and it has 5-star reviews from over 2,000 customers on Amazon — most of whom praise it for its efficacy, value, and ease of use.

Price at time of publish: $7.99 (orig. $16.99)

What’s Included: Charging hole cleaning brush, microfiber brush, round metal nib, alcohol wipes, putty, microfiber cleaning cloth, reusable case

Amazon

Someone who wants a simple option that is easy to use on the go or while traveling

Anyone who prefers options and requires more versatility, as well as someone who might want the option to use putty and alcohol wipes

If you don’t want a whole kit or are looking for something a tad more compact, the Hagibis Cleaning Pen is a fantastic alternative to some of the more heavy-duty kits on our list. This small but mighty cleaning kit is like the Swiss Army Knife of earbud cleaning kits with its compact size and variety of brushes, which include a flocking sponge, high-density brush, and metal pen tip. The kit also comes with high praise and an average 4.5 stars from over 17,000 Amazon customers, who recommend it for how easy it is to use, its efficacy, and the convenience of having a bunch of cleaning tools disguised as a compact pen.

Price at time of publish: $8.99 (orig. $11.99)

What’s Included: Flocking sponge, high-density brush, metal pen tip

Amazon

Someone with additional electronic cleaning needs, especially those looking for an effective keyboard brush and laptop screen cleaner

Anyone who prefers to keep it simple with a portable pen

Earbud cleaning kits can actually clean a lot more than just your AirPods — especially one like the CRYSFIY 7-in-1 Electronic Cleaner Kit, which is designed to do everything from remove wax from your earbuds to brush away dirt and debris from your keyboards. The all-in-one kit includes a variety of tools and cleaning products, including a sponge for wiping down screens, a high-density brush, and flannel cleaning cloth. It also features a cleaning pen for earbuds, which has a small sponge, silicone tip, and a mini cleaning brush to get the job done.

Price at time of publish: $11.99 (orig. $12.99)

What’s Included: High-density brush, soft sponge, silicone tip, small sponge, mini high-density brush, keycap puller, flannel cleaning cloth, spray bottle

Amazon

Those who haven’t cleaned their earbuds in a long time (or ever) as well as someone looking for lots of variety in terms of tools and cleaning options

Someone who needs a smaller kit or something for quick clean-ups

If you haven’t cleaned your earbuds in a long time and are looking for a kit that comes with everything you need for all types of clean-ups, this is the kit for you. The MUIIGOOD AirPods Cleaner Kit comes with tons of different supplies, including cleaning putty, a cleaning pen, a pointed cleaning stick, and a collection of brushes, sponge swabs, and microfiber cloths. It also features a wet and dry cleaning kit and comes with a pointed tweezer for tricky-to-remove situations. Additionally, the whole kit stays organized in an included storage box that can easily live in a desk drawer, linen cabinet, or hall closet.

Price at time of publish: $10.99 (orig. $12.99)

What’s Included: Cleaning putty, AirPod cleaning pen, pointed cleaning sticks, 4 soft bristle brushes, 5 double head sponge swabs, 5 sponge swabs, soft brush, cleaning brush, 2 microfiber cloths, pointed tweezers, wet and dry cleaning kit, storage box

World Market

Someone shopping for a simple kit that has some variety but is still compact

Those who require a lot more variety in earbud cleaning tools and cleaning supplies

The Kikkerland Earbud Cleaning Kit comes in a compact tin but, despite its size, it still has a lot of variety when it comes to included supplies. This earbud cleaning kit features a small spray bottle, cleaning picks, cleaning wipes, a small brush, and two spoolie brushes, too. Its size makes it an ultra-convenient cleaning kit to store in your work bag or carry-on, so you’re always prepared for earbud clean-ups.

Price at time of publish: $10

What’s Included: Spray bottle, cleaning picks, cleaning wipes, a small brush, two spoolie brushes

Walmart

Someone shopping for a simple yet effective earbud cleaning kit that has all the items necessary to get AirPods looking new again

Someone who prefers a more compact, pen-like kit

This drugstore earbud cleaning kit is a simple yet effective approach to keeping your AirPods clean. The kit includes a variety of cleaning supplies — including cleaning putty, alcohol wipes, and brush heads — for different uses and is easy to use, too. In addition to these supplies, the kit also comes with a handy magnifying glass so you can get a good look at some of the hard-to-clean spots, plus it all comes together in a storage container to keep you organized and ready.

Price at time of publish: $11.98

What’s Included: Cleaning putty, alcohol wipes, brush heads, a magnifying glass, storage container

Container Store

Someone shopping for a miniature earbud cleansing kit that can easily be tossed in a bag — this would also be an excellent add-on to gift along with AirPods

Anyone looking for a more utilitarian earbud kit with lots of different supplies for all types of cleaning needs

Earbud cleaning kits might not be the first thing you think of when buying gifts but, hear us out. Whether you’re looking for a stocking stuffer or want to give a little something extra with that pair of AirPods you bought your loved one, this stylish earbud cleaning kit makes for an excellent addition. The kit comes in a chic leather zip pouch in a variety of colors and includes alcohol wipes, a microfiber cleaning cloth, cotton swabs, a cleaning brush, a spudger tool, and a carrying pouch.

Price at time of publish: $11.99

What’s Included: Alcohol wipes, microfiber cleaning cloth, cotton swabs, cleaning brush, spudger tool, carrying pouch

Amazon

Someone shopping for an all-in-one cleaning tool that can remove earwax and wipe away gunk

Those looking for a kit that includes putty, alcohol wipes, or other cleaning supplies

Similar to the pen, this all-in-one tool has a variety of options for cleaning earbuds. The small tool features six different brush heads, including a high-density brush, a port pick (which works super well on clogged charging ports), a metal pen tip, a steel brush, and more. It also comes in four different colors, adding a touch of style to the cleaning kit. We love this kit because, in addition to working well on earbuds, it’s also an excellent match for cleaning and repairing charging ports and other tough-to-reach spots on all of your devices.

Price at time of publish: $19.99

What’s Included: High-density brush, port pick, detergent, metal pen tip, steel brush, port wipe

Amazon

Anyone looking for a simple and effective way to remove earwax and other debris from their earbuds

Someone shopping for a more all-inclusive earbud cleaning kit with a variety of tools and supplies

Sometimes, all you need is a little cleaning putty. While we wouldn’t buy single cleaning tools on their own — after all, you never know what you will actually need — we absolutely stock up on cleaning putty because it’s kind of like an all-in-one tool in and of itself. This putty is a simple yet effective approach to removing earwax buildup and other gunk from earbuds. It comes with 24 putty squares but a little goes a lot way, so it will definitely last beyond 24 clean-ups. In addition to AirPods and other headphone devices, the putty can be used to clean hearing aids, too.

Price at time of publish: $12.99

What’s Included: 24 cleaning putty squares

If you have your eye on a versatile earbud cleaning kit, you want to make sure it comes with all the bells and whistles needed to work through any clean-up — this includes earbud putty. “Malleable putty works to carefully draw out the gunk in your earbuds, especially in the hard-to-reach areas,” says Elyse Stoltz Dickerson, co-founder and CEO of ear care biotech company Eosera. Kits like the AKIKI Cleaner Kit, MUIIGOOD Airpods Cleaner Kit, and the Ear Care MD Earbud Cleaning Kit all come with earbud putty. If you run out or just want to try the putty on its own, the AirSquares Earbud Cleaning Putty is an excellent pick.

“I would consider a reusable carrying case so you can keep all the items in the kit together,” says Dickerson. While you can provide your own case — either by purchasing a cheap makeup bag at a drugstore or reusing pouches you get with beauty products, like the Glossier pink pouch — some kits come with a reusable carrying case. The Kikkerland Earbud Cleaning Kit comes in a small tin that is easy to toss in your purse, while the Pinch Provisions Earbud Detail Kit includes a zippered pouch in several stylish colors.

Wiping down the outside of earbuds is also important, which is why Dickerson also recommends looking for a kit that includes alcohol wipes, so you can easily wipe down the outer plastic of the earbuds. “Remember, though, don’t put any kind of liquid on the mesh screen of the earbud, and be careful not to get the inside of the bud wet,” she warns. For the best earbud cleaning kits with alcohol wipes, consider the AKIKI Cleaner Kit, Pinch Provisions Earbud Detail Kit, Ear Care MD Earbud Cleaning Kit, MUIIGOOD Airpods Cleaner Kit, and the Kikkerland Earbud Cleaning Kit.

The best earbud cleaning kit depends on your cleaning needs. However, it never hurts to have a more versatile kit like the AKIKI Cleaner Kit on hand, which includes a collection of cleaning tools such as wipes, putty, a microfiber brush, and a pick. The CRYSFIY 7-in-1 Electronic Cleaner Kit is another option with excellent versatility, as it can not only be used to clean earbuds, but can also work to keep other electronics like keyboards, laptops, phones, and tablets, too.

Considering the health concerns around dirt and bacteria buildup and that keeping them clean can extend their lifespan, purchasing an earbud cleaning kit is absolutely worth it. “If left unaddressed, a serious buildup of cerumen [ear wax] or other debris can get to the point where a proper cleaning can be more difficult and, in some cases, require a replacement," says Sean Sullivan, the associate director of wired products at Shure.

As Kingsley mentioned, an alcohol wipe works well for daily cleaning, however, it won’t be able to reach earwax buildup on the device, so the ability to deep clean using tools in an earbud cleaning kit is essential. If you’re on the fence or overwhelmed by all of the different tools and gadgets some of these kits come with, a simple cleaning pen — like the Hagibis Cleaning Pen on Amazon — is a great choice.

While a good clean here and there might seem like enough, Christine Kingsley, an advanced practice registered Nurse (APRN) who works with ENT specialists says a regular clean is vital. “People either go for long stretches of time without sanitizing their earbuds or only have enough time for minimal cleaning before they need to use them again,” Kingsley notes. “This often leads to the ears being a breeding ground for sweat, bacteria, and dirt, which can lead to infections.” According to Kingsley, wiping earbuds down with an alcohol swab daily can do the trick; However, Dr. Sarow says it’s also important to use an earbud cleaning kit for an even deeper clean. “An earbud cleaning kit is a convenient way to get all of the tools you need to remove wax and debris from your earbuds properly,” she explains.

Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, NYLON, and more. When researching the best earbud cleaning kits, Jessie looked at dozens of options, carefully considering what comes in eat kit while looking for options that fit a variety of needs, including the best options for variety, on-the-go cleaning, and travel size kits, too. She also tapped top ear, earbud, and audio experts for their insights on what makes an earbud cleaning kit standout, plus why it’s important to clean your earbuds. Experts she spoke to included: