# Small box or case to keep earphone rubber tips in **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774 "2018-01-16T20:26:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/1 "2018-01-16T20:26:56Z")
I have a pair of Airpods that I love and that _mostly_ stay in my ears. I got a pair of [little rubber tips](https://www.amazon.com/EarBuddyz-Airpods-Attachment-Earphones-Headphones/dp/B019BREFE4) to go on them to make them more secure, and I’m looking for something to carry them in in my pocket. They came with a little clamshell plastic case, but it was not suited to the rigors of being in my pocket, and is no longer with us. I’m currently using a little screw-top case that my contacts get cleaned in Hydrogen Peroxide solution (it [looks like this](https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjHtJXHqN3YAhVKxVQKHU7zAaEQjRx6BAgAEAY&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alcon.com%2Fnews%2Fmedia-releases%2Falcon-unveils-new-contact-lens-case-clear-care-solution&psig=AOvVaw08g9Yv8wBJf6fNHEycRJIC&ust=1516220740666826)), with the center column ripped out. It’s a cylinder about 4cm tall and 2 in diameter, which is probably twice as big as it needs to be and wider than I’d like in my pocket. Ideally, I’d have something that’s about 2cm x 2cm x 1cm, rounded corners, relatively easy to open and close, and strong enough to be carried in my pocket all day every day. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/2 "2018-01-16T20:31:00Z")
[Foam ear plugs.](https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C) Should have them at a local drug store/hardware/industrial equipment. They often come with a case just big enough for a pair. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/3 "2018-01-16T20:34:46Z")
A small altoids tin. In the camping dept. you can get a match holder, they are metal with a screw top lid. You can find a metal pill holder with screw top and key ring attached, usually in the pharmacy area. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/4 "2018-01-16T21:07:00Z")
[Slide-top metal cases…](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J8FFNXW/ref=asc_df_B00J8FFNXW5338786/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B00J8FFNXW&linkCode=df0&hvadid=229200252920&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16375546632706480363&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1014895&hvtargid=pla-390949696946) ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/5 "2018-01-16T21:07:25Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Foam ear plugs Wax earplugs, too. I’m not finding any online images, but I can tell you the case mine are sold in measures 2cm x 2cm x 4cm, it’s sturdy plastic and the lid snaps securely shut, but the corners are sharp. 3D printing might be your best bet, if you’ve got access to that. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/6 "2018-01-16T21:21:02Z")
I got this [Pill Pouch](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CE0PS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from Amazon. Works quite well to keep my in-ear hearing aids in my pocket when not wearing them. Or you could look for other pill containers. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/7 "2018-01-16T22:03:11Z")
How about using one of those boxes for cufflinks? ---
**Author:** ![ticker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@ticker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ticker)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/8 "2018-01-16T22:39:27Z")
Back in the day I would have suggested a 35mm film canister. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/9 "2018-01-16T22:46:16Z")
Altoids Mini tin, or the plastic pod from inside a Kinder Surprise egg (if you can source one of those in your locality) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/10 "2018-01-16T23:04:32Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I got this [Pill Pouch](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CE0PS0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) from Amazon. Works quite well to keep my in-ear hearing aids in my pocket when not wearing them. Or you could look for other pill containers. You guys are awesome! Thank you to everyone who replied. So far, this one is my most promising lead. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2018, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/11 "2018-01-16T23:27:01Z")
Silicone dab jars, they’re not just for drugs any more. Flexible, tough as nails, fairly waterproof and the tops don’t come off unless you want them to. Very useful for many things. [https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Dab-Containers-Non-Stick-Container/dp/B01H6283WG](https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Dab-Containers-Non-Stick-Container/dp/B01H6283WG) ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/12 "2018-01-18T18:27:42Z")
Just one more way stoners have made the world a better place. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/13 "2018-01-18T19:45:07Z")
Right? The world unfairly maligns stoners by refusing to recognize their inherent ingenuity in pursuit of their goals. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/14 "2018-01-18T19:51:44Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Foam ear plugs.](https://www.amazon.com/3M-1100-Foam-Plugs-200-Pair/dp/B008MVYL7C) Should have them at a local drug store/hardware/industrial equipment. They often come with a case just big enough for a pair. I have found the plastic ones don’t hold up well. The lid ends up tearing off quickly. The lid also pops off in my pocket. I have found a metal version of this with a screw on lid that works well. [Like this](https://www.amazon.com/Pillbox-Keychain-Profile-Gifts%C2%AE-Medicine/dp/B00GG13Q7Q/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1516305032&sr=1-5&keywords=metal+pill+box). They come in different sizes, if you look around. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/15 "2018-01-18T19:58:24Z")
That’s why I like the silicone jars–they’re round and soft so no uncomfortable jabbing in the pocket and nothing to catch or break off. They do pick up lint a bit, though, but they’re easy enough to clean. ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2018, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/16 "2018-01-18T22:04:26Z")
I was going to suggest the small Altoid’s tin, but now I like the pill pocket too. ---
**Author:** ![jerez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@jerez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jerez)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2018, 7:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/small-box-or-case-to-keep-earphone-rubber-tips-in/806774/17 "2018-01-19T07:26:18Z")
You can always just fold a piece of foil around them, changing it for a new piece as needed. Lighter, cheaper, smaller and probably cleaner than a permanent case.