Minimal Apple AirPods 3 Holder

Sometimes I want to bring my AirPods with me for brief outings, but don't want to take the case (which is inside another larger case) and don't want to have home loose in my pocket. So I set out to see how small I could make something that held the AirPods fairly securely that I could slip into my pocket.

After many iterations the first lesson I learned was that Apple has already done a fantastic job of creating the smallest case they could, especially since it also has all the charging electronics, etc. Not really surprising to anyone, but there you go.

Anyway, not to be deterred by something as inconsequential as pointlessness, I persevered and designed something that has very little extra plastic and also fits 2 fairly sizeable magnets (8mm x 7mm) capable of holding the AirPods in place.

NOTE: Make sure the magnets are inserted the right way around or else they will repel the AirPods. There are a few magnetic spots on the AirPod to test, but the best way I found to insert them is whichever way the magnet attaches to the ‘back’ of the AirPod, i.e. the side that faces away from the ear when inserted.

I also designed one version without magnets that allowed the AirPods to click into place very securely. Unfortunately, they didn't unclick so easily and some brute force and choice words were required to get them free. Needless to say, that iteration was a no go. I've included a non-magnet version, but that's not this one; that is only so you can modify it with your own magnet sizes if you need to.

I have to give @override2231 credit for the AirPods model that I used to create the cutout. I had to adjust it slightly to give some room for the AirPods to fit, but it would have been a lot more difficult without the model.