Is It Safe to Buy Used Earbuds? Yes, After 4 Checks

Yes, for most people it is safe to buy used earbuds, as long as you clean them properly and put on fresh ear tips. The "gross" part people worry about is real but manageable. The two problems that actually cost buyers money are quieter: a pair that is still locked to the previous owner's account, and a pair that was never genuine in the first place. Four checks cover all of it: clean and re-tip, clear the account lock, match the model numbers, and test both sides.

Cleaning fixes the gross part. Checking the account lock and the model number protects your money.

This matters right now because holiday shopping is starting, and earbuds are an easy gift to pick up secondhand, open-box or returned. If you are buying a pair as a gift, the checks below matter even more, because the person who opens it will not know what to look for. (We covered the general etiquette in Is It OK to Give Used Items as Gifts?.)

Is it gross to buy used headphones and earbuds?

It is less gross than it sounds, and the fix is simple. In-ear buds sit inside your ear canal, so they can carry wax, sweat and skin oil from whoever wore them before. An ear, nose and throat specialist at Rush University Medical Center explains that earbud problems usually come from poor fit, long hours of wear without breaks, and dirt build-up, not from the materials themselves. True allergies to earbud materials are rare, he says.

That points to the answer for a used pair: clean the hard parts, and replace the soft parts.

• Replace the ear tips. The silicone or foam tips are the part that touches the inside of your ear. They are cheap, and swapping them is the single best thing you can do for a used pair. Check that the replacements are made for your exact model.
• Clean the body and case. Apple's own instructions for AirPods Pro say to wipe the buds with a cloth only slightly dampened with fresh water, never run them under the tap, and never use sharp or abrasive tools. The charging case can be wiped with a cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol, keeping liquid out of the charging port.
• Rinse tips you keep, without soap. If you keep the original tips, Apple says to pull them off, rinse them with water only (no soap or household cleaners), and let them dry completely before clicking them back on.
• Give it time to dry. Apple says to let AirPods dry for at least two hours after a damp clean before putting them in the case or wearing them.

Over-ear headphones are easier still: the ear cushions are usually replaceable, and the hard parts wipe down. If you have a history of ear infections, the Rush specialist's advice applies to any earbuds, new or used: keep them clean, take breaks of five to ten minutes every hour, and see a doctor if irritation does not clear up. When in doubt, over-ear headphones keep anything out of the ear canal entirely.

Can used AirPods be locked to someone else's account?

Yes, and this is the check most buyers skip. Apple's support page says AirPods can be paired to only one Apple Account at a time in the Find My app. If the last owner never removed them, you will see a message that they are paired to another account, and you will not be able to add them to yours.

Here is the part that surprises people: according to Apple, Apple cannot remove that lock for you. Only the previous owner can, by opening Find My (or signing in at iCloud.com), choosing the AirPods, and tapping Remove. If that cannot happen, Apple says to reset the AirPods so they stop sharing your location with the previous owner, but you still will not be able to pair them with your own account in Find My.

What that means for you as a buyer:

1. Before you pay, ask the seller to remove the AirPods from their Apple Account. A seller who still has the account can do it from their phone in a few taps.
2. If you can, test them in person. Open the case near your iPhone and start setup. A message about another Apple Account is a reason to stop.
3. Be wary of "just reset them" as the whole answer. By Apple's own description, a reset alone does not lift the lock.

Other brands have their own app-based "find" and account features, so the same principle applies: ask that the earbuds be unlinked from the seller's account and test them before you hand over cash. Our factory reset checklist for smart devices walks through the same idea for phones, speakers and more.

How can you tell if used AirPods are fake?

Fake earbuds are not rare, and they move through our own region. In 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Washington Dulles International Airport seized about $290,000 in counterfeit AirPods and Apple Watches, WMAR-2 News reported. The four shipments, sent from China to an address in Fairfax County, held 1,000 knockoff AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and 50 watches. A CBP official urged shoppers to buy from reputable or authorized sellers.

You cannot prove a pair is genuine just by looking at the box, but Apple's own identification guide gives you numbers to compare:

That last row is a useful tell. Apple's guide states plainly that each charging case works only with its own generation of earbuds; for example, the case for AirPods 4 is not compatible with AirPods 4 (ANC) earbuds. A "set" whose case and buds come from different generations has been mixed and matched, at the very least.

For more on spotting knockoffs in general, see how to spot a fake deal.

What should you test before you buy used earbuds?

Use this ten-minute checklist on any secondhand, open-box or returned pair:

1. Account lock: start setup on your own phone. No "paired to another account" message.
2. Model and serial numbers: compare the buds, the case and your phone's Settings screen, as in the table above.
3. Both sides play: play music and listen to the left and right bud on their own. Uneven volume can mean a clogged mesh or a fault.
4. Microphone: make a short call or voice memo with each bud.
5. Charging: put the buds in the case and plug the case in. Watch for the status light or on-screen battery level to respond.
6. Battery: check the battery level on your phone, then listen for a few minutes. Earbud batteries wear with age, so a pair that drains fast is worth a lower price, not a full one.
7. Ear tips: look at their condition, and plan to replace them either way.
8. Physical damage: check the charging port for debris and the case hinge for looseness.

If you are shopping online and cannot test first, read the seller's return terms before you buy. For how condition words like "open box" and "used, like new" differ, see what the FTC says about open box, refurbished and used.

Is it worth buying used earbuds at all?

Often, yes. Earbuds are small, the shells are hard plastic that cleans up well, and the parts that wear out with use, the ear tips, are designed to be replaced. A used or open-box pair can be a sensible way to get a good set without paying for new, especially as a backup pair or for a teenager who loses things.

Where it is not worth it: a pair you cannot unlock, a pair whose numbers do not match, or a price so low it only makes sense if the item is fake. Walk away from any of those, however good the photos look.

If you are shopping around the DC, Maryland and Virginia area, you can browse what is listed right now at Buy Now or bid in our auctions. Questions about pickup, payment and returns are answered on our FAQ page.

The bottom line

Used earbuds are safe for most people once they are cleaned and fitted with fresh ear tips. The real risks are an account lock that only the previous owner can lift, and counterfeits like the 1,000 fake AirPods Pro caught at Dulles in 2023. Check the lock, compare the numbers, test both sides, and you will know exactly what you are buying.

Know someone hunting for earbuds before the holidays? Send them this checklist.