We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a cheap, no-frills silicone hook that also nudges the sound a little deeper into your ear, choose REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft; if you need hooks built specifically for the newest AirPods with two sizes in the box and a place to keep them, choose Proof Labs 4.
• REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft — biggest strength: a soft silicone hook plus an in-ear tip design that seats the earbud deeper, which the brand says isolates outside noise and enhances surround sound. It fits both AirPods 1st and 2nd Gen, and it's sold as two pairs.
• REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft — biggest trade-off: only one size (large) comes in the pack, the hooks must come off before you charge the case, and the fit is tuned to the older AirPods shape.
• Proof Labs 4 — biggest strength: it's made for AirPods 4th Gen specifically, and the pack covers more ground — 2 pairs small, 2 pairs large, so you can actually dial in the fit.
• Proof Labs 4 — biggest trade-off: it only fits AirPods 4th Gen, so it's useless if you're on an older pair, and it also has to be removed before charging.
• Who each pick is for: REEYEAR for AirPods 1 or 2 owners who want a light, grippy hook with a sound-tightening tip; Proof Labs 4 for AirPods 4 owners who want size options and a pouch to keep it all together.
This is the minimalist option. The REEYEAR hooks are soft silicone, thin and flexible, and the whole idea is simple: the hook wraps behind your ear and holds the earbud in place so it doesn't slip out mid-run. What separates it from a plain rubber sleeve is the tip. The design pushes a soft tip into your ear canal, which the brand describes as isolating outside noise and enhancing surround sound. Whether or not you buy the enhanced-sound claim wholesale, the physics make sense — a deeper, more sealed seat usually means you hear less of the gym and more of the track.
The material matters here too. It's premium silicone, described as lightweight and "topix free," which is the kind of thing you notice on a long jog: a stiff hook digs in, a soft one disappears. Two pairs come in the box in white and black, so you've got a spare or a color for different days. The trade-off is size. You get large only, so if your ears run small, the fit may not lock in the way you want.
Buy it if you're on AirPods 1st or 2nd Gen — the compatibility is explicit — and you're mainly after grip plus a slightly tighter, more enclosed listen for running, the gym, or jogging. It's also a reasonable little gift for someone who's constantly fishing an earbud off the pavement. Skip it if you own AirPods 4th Gen (it isn't made for that shape), if you need multiple sizes to get a good fit, or if you'd rather not deal with pulling hooks off every time you charge. One more thing worth knowing before you commit: the hooks must be removed before charging the case, and neither the AirPods nor the charging case are included. If budget is your deciding factor, check the current price on Amazon before you pick.
Proof Labs 4 is the more purpose-built kit. It's made for the AirPods 4th Gen and nothing else, and that narrow focus is the point — the hook geometry is shaped around that specific earbud rather than a range of older models. The core promise is the same as any earhook: a secure fit, soft flexible hooks that stop the buds from dropping out of your ears, and a comfortable listen while you're moving.
Where it pulls ahead is what's actually in the bag. You get 2 pairs small and 2 pairs large — four pairs total, eight pieces — plus a storage pouch, a carabiner, and a quick start guide. That's a meaningfully better answer to the "what if it doesn't fit my ears" problem, because you can try small, try large, and keep the spare set clipped to your bag instead of losing it in a drawer. Proof Labs also backs it with a Fit Guarantee, which is a real signal when you're buying something as fit-dependent as an earhook.
The trade-offs are honest ones. Same as the REEYEAR, these must be removed before charging the case, so it's a two-step routine every time you top up. Silicone is the only material here, and white is the only color listed. And because it's AirPods 4th Gen only, it's a non-starter if you're still on an older pair.
Buy it if you own AirPods 4th Gen and want the flexibility of two sizes, a place to store the hooks, and a manufacturer fit guarantee standing behind the purchase. Skip it if you're on AirPods 1 or 2, want black as an option, or don't want to think about removing hooks at charge time. As with any accessory, confirm the current price on Amazon, since that's the one thing that shifts.
• Best for AirPods 1st or 2nd Gen → REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft. It's explicitly compatible with both, plus EarPods.
• Best for AirPods 4th Gen → Proof Labs 4. It's built for that generation and that generation only.
• Best for getting the right fit → Proof Labs 4. Two sizes (small and large) in the box beats a single large-only option.
• Best for a tighter, more enclosed listen → REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft. Its tip inserts into the ear canal, which the brand ties to noise isolation and enhanced surround sound.
• Best for keeping your gear together → Proof Labs 4. The storage pouch and carabiner are a genuinely useful inclusion for a gym bag.
• Best for a spare pair or a color choice → REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft. Two pairs in white and black versus white only.
• Best for peace of mind on fit → Proof Labs 4. The Proof Labs Fit Guarantee and a 1-year manufacturer warranty add a layer REEYEAR doesn't advertise.
• Best for a simple, lightweight hook → REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft. Thin, flexible silicone with no extra parts to keep track of.
If I had to pick one for myself, it would come down to which AirPods I own — and for most people shopping now, that's the newer pair. I'd buy Proof Labs 4, because the two-size fit, the storage pouch and carabiner, and the Fit Guarantee plus a 1-year warranty together solve the real problem with earhooks: getting them to stay put on your ears, not someone else's. If you're still on AirPods 1 or 2, though, my recommendation flips — REEYEAR Anti-Slip Earhooks Soft is the one that fits your buds, and its in-ear tip design is a nice bonus for noisy runs.
No. REEYEAR lists compatibility with Apple AirPods 1st and 2nd Gen only, plus EarPods. For AirPods 4th Gen you want Proof Labs 4, which is made specifically for that model.
That's the reason to pick them. The pack includes 2 pairs small and 2 pairs large, so you can test both and keep the set that works, rather than being stuck with a single large size.
REEYEAR's in-ear tip design is described as inserting into your ear canal to isolate outside noise and enhance surround sound. Proof Labs 4 focuses on secure fit and comfort rather than sound claims. Both keep the earbud seated more firmly, which tends to help in noisy environments.
Yes — for both. REEYEAR and Proof Labs 4 both state the hooks must be removed before charging the case. It's a small extra step, but worth knowing before you buy. And since prices move, check the current price on Amazon before deciding.
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