AirPod EMF Radiation: Risks, Safety, and Expert Advice

I get questions frequently about whether Apple Airpods and other wireless headphones emit EMF radiation, and if so, whether they emit enough that we should be concerned.

This makes total sense to me, as Airpods and other wireless headphones sit about as close to your brain as anything could, so if they are exposing us to high levels of EMF radiation, we could be especially vulnerable.

So, the purpose of this guide is to dive deep into how AirPods work, how much radiation they emit, whether they are safe for long-term or short-term use, and much much more.

We'll also cover AirPods and the newer AirPod pros, including the important differences.

I've broken this guide up a bit to make it easier to consume, so if you're looking for something in particular, please feel free to use the table of contents below.

Ok, enough blabbing, let's talk about whether AirPods are safe, and how and why they emit EMF radiation.

Do AirPods Emit EMF Radiation?

The short answer is yes, AirPods do emit a form of electromagnetic frequency radiation (EMF/R) called Radio Frequency Radiation (RF). All wireless devices emit this type of radiation when they transmit data.

When we think of EMF and RF radiation, the typical culprits are things like cell phones, WiFi routers, and any smart home devices.

When these devices send packets of data to another device, they do so through radio frequency signals, which also expose those nearby to a type of non-ionizing radiation.

We'll talk more in a minute about how this type of radiation can potentially be harmful, but first I want to cover a bit more about how this works and how Airpods function in a way that wearers are exposed to quite a bit of this radiation.

How Do AirPods Work?

AirPods may just look like a simple pair of wireless earbuds, but they are actually quite complex.

In fact, if you take a look at this teardown from iFixit you'll see that they are basically full-blown mini-computers that you place inside your ear.

Not only do they have sophisticated antennae, but they have microchips in them that are capable of performing many things at once.

Later, when we talk about the AirPod Pros, you'll see that those are even more complex.

AirPods connect and stream sound via Bluetooth, specifically Bluetooth 4 (or 4.1 or 4.2). Bluetooth, just like cellular transmissions, is still a form of radiofrequency radiation, typically in the band of 2.4 to 2.485 GHz.

Bluetooth is popular for devices like these because it has a quick data transmission rate and nearly all devices are capable of connecting to and utilizing it.

When we talk about Airpod Radiation and Safety though, wireless headphones like the Apple AirPod and AirPod Pro are a concern, because you're putting such a powerful, RF-transmitting, mini-computer inside your ear canal, extremely close to your brain.

We'll talk specifically about how much radiation Airpods emit in a minute, but it's important to understand just how powerful these devices are.

How Much Radiation Do AirPods Emit?

If you've read other articles on my site, you might have heard me talk about Specific Absorption Rate or SAR. This is an important measurement because it's how regulatory agencies control the amount of radiation that devices are allowed to emit.

Basically SAR is a measurement of how much radiation is absorbed by the body from a given device.

In the United States, for example, all cell phones must emit less than 1.6 W/kg of body weight.

That means when measured in a lab, your head should not be absorbing more than 1.6 Watts of energy for each kilogram of body weight you have.

If you look up the SAR rating for any cell phone (here is a list I put together for the lowest SAR phones) you should be able to find this information readily available, because it's legally required that they disclose it.

In fact, here is a guide I put together that gives 7 simple ways you can check the SAR value of your phone.

Anything that can connect to cellular towers such as iPads or other tablets, as well as smartphones, must disclose the specific absorption rate, and stay under the mandated minimums inside the country where they are sold.

AirPods though, being a non-cellular-connected Bluetooth device, Apple does not have to disclose this radiation test.

However, Apple still has tested the Specific Absorption Rate of its various Airpod models, and here are the results:

AirPods SAR Levels

Here is what I was able to find and verify in regard to Airpod Specific Absorption Rate levels, based on Apple's FCC filings:

Model	Release Year	Bluetooth Version	SAR Level (W/kg)	FCC Report Link
AirPods (1st Gen)	2016	Bluetooth 4.2	0.466	FCC Filing for AirPods (1st Gen)
AirPods (2nd Gen)	2019	Bluetooth 5.0	0.466	FCC Filing for AirPods (2nd Gen)
AirPods Pro	2019	Bluetooth 5.0	0.483	FCC Filing for AirPods Pro
AirPods Max	2020	Bluetooth 5.0	0.99	FCC Filing for AirPods Max

While these levels are within the regulatory limits that we talked about above, it’s important to consider factors like proximity to the body and duration of use when evaluating potential health risks.

In addition to this, I wanted to do my own test at home to find out what kind of RF radiation levels I would detect from a pair of Airpod Pros.

Airpod Radiation Levels (My Test)

A few disclaimers before I get to my results. First of all, this is me testing them in my own environment, not in a lab, so these results are far from official, but they are very “real-world.”

Also, I don't own Airpods and was only able to borrow a pair of the newer AirPod Pros to test with.

Once I'm able to test normal AirPods I'll be sure to update this article.

For this test, I played music through the AirPod Pros (I turned off the automatic ear detection so that they would play even when not in my ear) then I placed them on a table away from other electronics and tested the RF radiation emissions with my Trifield TF2.

I then took measurements in two ways:

1. With both AirPods very close to the Trifield Sensor
2. With one AirPod pro close to the sensor, and the other unit about a head's width away.

The important numbers to look at in these pictures are not the large ones, but the “Peak” level's in the top left of the screen.

Since radio waves transmit data in packets, EMF meters like the Trifield in the picture read the radiation levels with the Peak reading instead of the regular one.

The results of each test were similar, with the AirPod Pro emitting about 7 to 7.6 mW/m^2 of RF radiation.

If you've read my article called “What is a High EMF Reading” you'll see that the current consensus is that living spaces should have RF radiation levels of under 1 mW/m^2, or about 7 times less than the AirPod pros emit (at very close range).

Now, obviously, this is an imperfect test. So, what I really want you to take away from this is the fact that AirPods do emit a fairly high amount of EMF radiation, in close proximity to your skin and brain.

Here is a video example of another gentleman measuring the RF radiation emissions from the AirPods Pro so you can get a more visual example.

Ok, now that we've discovered the fact that AirPods do in fact emit radiation and how they work, let's talk specifically about whether or not they are safe.

Are AirPods Safe?

This is the big question that I think we need to answer, and really, to answer it there are a few things that we need to talk about.

AirPods Emit RF Radiation

First of all, we've established that Airpods and AirPod Pros do in fact emit RF radiation, but we haven't talked yet about whether that radiation is actually dangerous for humans.

Now, I've covered the topic of RF radiation dangers and their health risks extensively in other articles, so this will be a bit more high-level and highlight-oriented, however, there is quite a bit to cover

RF Radiation and Health Risks

First of all, RF radiation from Bluetooth devices like Apple's AirPods has the potential to be harmful to human health.

At this point, I think that this is fairly well established.

Even regulatory agencies recognize that too much EMF radiation exposure is harmful, which is why they put in place limits like SAR in the first place.

I mentioned above that Apple does not have to disclose SAR levels for Airpods, however, they still have to be below certain guidelines.

What Does Apple Say About Airpod Radiation Risk?

Apple has always maintained that its products, including AirPods, comply with all applicable safety guidelines and regulations regarding EMF radiation levels.

Apple has stated that Airpods are designed within the SAR limits set by the FCC as well as international bodies such as the ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection).

In a statement on its website, Apple said that all its devices, including AirPods, undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards.

The company stated: “AirPods and AirPods Pro are designed and tested to meet safety requirements and comply with applicable exposure limits and guidelines around the world.“

However, many critics argue that although Apple does technically comply with current regulations, those regulations are not properly updated and do not fully account for the potential long-term effects or the unique proximity that Airpods have to the brain.

Are Current Safety Guidelines Adequate?

Many experts, including doctors and scientists, believe that these guidelines developed first in 1998 and yet to be updated, do not do an adequate job of protecting the public.

In fact, before you found this article you may have come across articles mentioning that “250 scientists warn of Airpod cancer risk,” or something to that effect.

Well, the headline is compelling, but not quite accurate.

What IS accurate is the fact that in 2015, a group of 250+ scientists wrote an appeal to the World Health Organization and the United Nations requesting that they re-evaluate their guidelines on electromagnetic field exposure limits.

The appeal cited “serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to EMF generated by electric and wireless devices.”

In this report, they did not specifically mention AirPods (which hadn't even been released yet) but did state that their concerns “include but are not limited to-radio frequency radiation (RFR) emitting devices, such as cellular and cordless phones and their base stations, Wi-Fi, broadcast antennas, smart meters, and baby monitors as well as electric devices and infra-structures used in the delivery of electricity that generate extremely-low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF).”

In 2019 the appeal was updated, but still did not specifically mention AirPods. However, it did mention devices that use the same Bluetooth technology and applications as Airpods.

Proximity Matters: The Inverse Square Law

One of the most important factors when considering the danger of EMF radiation is the proximity of your body to that radiation.

There is something called the inverse square law of physics.

This law essentially states that as we double our distance from a source of radiation, we quarter our exposure to it, allowing for exponential levels of protection.

The issue with Bluetooth headphones like Airpods is that there is no distance between you and the device.

AirPods, or any wireless Bluetooth headsets with individual earpieces, place the Bluetooth transmitters directly in or near your ear.

So, we know that AirPods expose your body to EMF radiation, which many scientists and doctors believe could be a concern, especially due to the frequency of use and proximity to your brain. Now it's time to talk about something that you've likely seen headlines of.

Do Apple AirPods Cause Cancer?

This is actually a really difficult question to answer because there are so many variables and so many unknowns. However, let's talk for a minute about a few things that we do know.

Also, if you want to dive much deeper into this topic specifically, I do have a full guide talking about whether Bluetooth headphones (like Apple AirPods) could cause cancer that I'd encourage you to check out.

We don't have specific research on AirPods and whether they cause cancer, but we do have some research and knowledge that the same kind of RF radiation that is emitted from wireless technology can lead to an increased risk of certain kinds of cancer.

For example, if you've read any of my articles on cellphone radiation than you'll know that long-term use has been shown to increase your risk of developing certain brain cancers like glioma.

Basically, high levels of radiofrequency radiation can lead to negative health effects.

In fact, the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency EMF radiation as “possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) based specifically on the increased risk for brain tumors such as glioma that I mentioned above.

When talking about the possible risk of cancer from wireless earbuds you'll probably also come across statements from Jerry Phillips who is a professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado Springs.

Essentially Jerry thinks that current safety standards for Bluetooth and other wireless technologies have to abide by is not adequate at protecting the public health.

In talking about AirPods, he said the following:

My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radio-frequency radiation,” says Jerry Phillips, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He mentions tumors and other conditions associated with abnormal cell functioning as some of the potential risks. These risks are not restricted to AirPods. Existing evidence “indicates potential concerns for human health and development from all technologies that operate at radio frequencies,”

One interesting bit of information is that this quote from Jerry Phillips when it first showed up in the Medium article I linked to caused quite the commotion and sparked many articles to be written; some in defense of the statements, and some certainly not defending them.

Scientists in defense are saying things like:

“EMF Scientists have serious concerns regarding the ubiquitous and increasing exposure to radiation from wireless devices and antennas from all sources, including the pulsed digital signals Bluetooth transmits,”

Elizabeth Kelley, director of the International EMF Scientist appeal in an email to Business Insider

While many others are simply stating that taking phone calls on your iPhone exposes you to far more radiation than the headphones.

Obviously, there is much more to be discussed about this specifically, so if you want to read more take a look at this article I wrote.

Health Risks of Prolonged Airpod Use

Now that we've covered the worst potential health risks, let's talk about a few other common ones.

Research from the BioInitiative Report suggests that prolonged exposure to low-level EMF radiation, like that emitted from Airpods, can disrupt cellular communications and increase oxidative stress.

This disruption can potentially lead to symptoms like fatigue, headaches, and even long-term neurological effects.

Although the BioInitiative findings did not specifically talk about AirPods, they did clearly underscore the importance of reducing your exposure.

Headaches

Headaches from wearing Apple AirPods or other sources of Bluetooth radiation have been reported by thousands of people since their launch.

In fact, within months of AirPod's first release, hundreds of people had already commented and complained on the Apple forums about regular headaches while wearing the headphones.

Although there are a few possible reasons for this, some believe it was due to the electromagnetic radiation from the devices.

I wrote a whole investigative article on AirPod Headaches if you're curious about that.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is usually thought of as a constant ringing in the ears but is actually classified as any noise in the ear without an external source present.

It's actually quite common and affects a large percentage of the population. Technically it's more of a symptom than a condition, usually the result of some sort of injury or circulatory disorder.

Wearing Bluetooth headphones has been linked to Tinnitus, but there isn't a clear way to know if it is the radiation from the headphones or simply the loud noise directly in your ear that is causing it.

Other Symptoms and Concerns

There are too many to go over specifically, however, Healthline made a nice list of the possible symptoms and effects of EMF:

• sleep disturbances, including insomnia
• headache
• depression and depressive symptoms
• tiredness and fatigue
• dysesthesia 
• lack of concentration
• changes in memory
• dizziness
• irritability
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• restlessness and anxiety
• nausea
• skin burning and tingling
• changes in an electroencephalogram 

Alright now that we've covered AirPod radiation in some detail and talked about whether they can increase your risk of cancer as well as other symptoms, let's talk for a little bit about what we can actually do about it.

Safer Alternatives to AirPods

AirPods are super convenient and the sound quality is great, I'll give you that, but honestly, there are safer ways to listen to music or make phone calls.

In this section, I want to cover some simple ways that you can not only reduce your exposure to EMF radiation from sources such as your headphones and cell phone but also some simple products that you can use to replace them for a healthier experience.

First, let's cover a few strategies you can use, and then we'll look a some product alternatives that I really like.

1. Use Speaker Phone

This won't really help you when you're listening to music, but when you're making phone calls this is a great option.

I actually recommend this in many of my articles about cell phone radiation because keeping your phone away from your head is a great way to reduce your overall EMF exposure.

Basically, the idea is to keep the phone away from your brain whenever you're making a phone call (or even listening to a podcast).

2. Use Only One AirPod Earbud

This might be something that you discovered on your own, but it's actually a fantastic way to lower your exposure if you just can't give up on using them.

Whenever your AirPods are out of the case, not only are they communicating with your phone, but they're also communicating with each other.

Using just one AirPod earbud will not only allow you to hear if your kid is calling you from the other room or that car honking at you on the road but will also lower your exposure to the device by more than half.

Alright, now let's take a look at a few good product alternatives.

3. Use Traditional Wired Headphones

These are simply just safer than using Bluetooth or wireless headphones. The sound is traveling up the wire instead of being transmitted to a small computer right next to your ear.

Although these aren't as good of an option as Airtube headphones, they are a much safer alternative generally.

4. Use Airtube Headphones (Best Option)

Read my full guide on the best Airtube Headphones
See my top recommendation here.

Airtube headphones are one of my absolute favorite EMF protection products and a great alternative to AirPods or any other Bluetooth headphones.

In fact, they are even quite a bit safer than normal wired headphones.

If you take a look at the picture to the right of a pair of Airtube headphones, you'll see some small ovals at the bottom. These are actually the speakers for the headphones.

They send the sound up a literal tube of air to the earpieces, which contain no electronics themselves.

The idea is that you're getting the speakers away from your brain and the soft tissue inside of your ear and putting that EMF source a safe distance away instead.

The sound quality is still fantastic and has kind of a cool, slightly hollow vibe to it that makes the music sound incredible.

My favorite pair from Defendershield is linked above.

Related Questions

Now that we've covered some simple ways to make listening a bit safer, let's cover a few related questions that I get asked all the time.

Is It Safe To Sleep With AirPods In?

In the short term, sleeping with AirPods or other wireless earbuds is generally considered safe. However, it's important to keep the volume low to protect your eardrums and be certain that you aren't putting too much pressure on the earbuds which can potentially cause damage.

In the long term, radiation exposure, especially while sleeping, could cause adverse health effects.

If you are going to sleep with headphones, consider a safer alternative such as Airtube headphones.

Is It Bad To Wear AirPods All The Time?

Wearing AirPods or any other wireless earbuds for extended periods of time could increase your risk of adverse health effects from radiofrequency radiation exposure.

We know that the damage from such exposure is generally cumulative, so reducing that exposure could be healthier.

There will likely not be any immediate harm to wearing AirPods for whole days at a time, but you should keep a close eye on how you're feeling, your mood, frequency of headache,s etc. to be certain your body is comfortable with such use.

Are Airpods Safe For Children?

We know (and I've written extensively) that children are more vulnerable to the potential adverse health effects of EMF and RF radiation.

This is primarily due to their thinner skulls and the fact that they have a different biological makeup. In addition, they are still growing and developing.

In general, I would try to avoid offering Airpods to children when a safer alternative is available. However, it is unlikely that there will be any immediate safety concerns.

Can You Use Airpods In A Tanning Bed?

Yes, it is generally safe to use Airpods or other wireless headphones while tanning. However, it is recommended that you leave your phone out of the tanning bed.

Also, be sure that you aren't excessively sweating on or into the earpieces as this can damage them and potentially cause you harm.

If you are going to wear wireless headphones in the tanning bed, just be sure that you are aware of how you're feeling and if you get any tingling in your ears immediately take out the device.

Conclusion: Are Airpods Safe?

While Apple assures us that its products are within regulatory safety limits, many are still concerned about long-term EMF exposure, including me.

Experts are divided, and more long-term research is needed, but it would seem that a growing body of educated people continues to find valid concerns.

If you're worried, consider some of the alternatives I discussed above, like using wired or airtube headphones.

Ultimately, it's about you finding balance in your own life between convenience and potential health risks.