How Long Do Airpods Last? (Try to Make It Longer)

Wondering how long your AirPods will last? Learn tips to extend their lifespan and improve battery life in this article. Discover the battery life of different models and make your AirPods last longer!

All earbuds have a limited battery life, but there are ways to improve AirPod's battery life and extend its lifespan. Since 2017, Apple has sold nearly 400 million AirPods, and the first 100 million are likely now electronic waste due to the limited battery lifespan. But fear not; if you already own a pair, you can learn how to stretch their life. In this guide, we'll explore the battery life of different AirPods models, expected lifespans, and tips to maximize their longevity. Let's dive in!

How Long Do AirPods Last on a Single Charge?

AirPods from Apple can play music for about 4.7 hours when fully charged. We didn't count AirPods Max since they work much longer, lasting 24 hours on a single charge, and this would mess up the average.

But that 4.7 hours only counts what's inside the AirPods themselves. If you count all the charges inside the wireless case, you can get around 30 hours of music or 20 hours of talking from AirPods 3. However, the case's capacity goes down over time.

How Long Do AirPods Last with Half Battery?

Here's how much time you can listen and talk on different AirPods models when they're at 50% charge:

Listening time at 50% charge:

Apple AirPod Pro (2nd Gen): 3 hours
Apple AirPods Max: 10 hours
Apple AirPod (2nd Gen): 2 hours 30 minutes
Apple AirPod (3rd Gen): 3 hours

Talk time at 50% charge:

Apple AirPod Pro (2nd Gen): 2 hours 15 minutes
Apple AirPods Max: 10 hours
Apple AirPod (2nd Gen): 1 hour 30 minutes
Apple AirPod (3rd Gen): 2 hours

How Many Years Will Your AirPods Last?

Your AirPods are designed to stay functional for around two to three years. In these earbuds and others like them, the battery, specifically the lithium-ion type, is usually the first part to wear out.

If we talk about what harms batteries the most, it's charging. Each time you charge your AirPods, the battery loses a bit of its capacity. Sadly, this reduction can't be reversed, and the battery's performance worsens over time. Every battery can only be charged a certain number of times before it can't hold a charge anymore.

How Long Do AirPods Last at 25% Battery?

When your AirPods have only 25% charge left, their listening and talk times vary across different models:

Listening Time:

Apple AirPods Max: 5 hours
Apple AirPod (3rd Gen): 1 hour 30 minutes
Apple AirPod Pro (2nd Gen): 1 hour 30 minutes
Apple AirPod (2nd Gen): 1 hour 15 minutes

Talk Time:

Apple AirPod Pro (2nd Gen): 1 hour 9 minutes
Apple AirPods Max: 5 hours
Apple AirPod (3rd Gen): 1 hour
Apple AirPod (2nd Gen): 45 minutes

Easy Ways to Extend the Life of Your AirPods

1. Watch Out for Water

AirPods aren't waterproof, just sweat-resistant. Be careful with water – it can hurt them. Don't swim with them! After a workout, dry them off before using or charging.

2. Charge Wisely

Charging lots might not be great. It can tire out the battery. Apple made a fix for this. It stops charging at 80%, so there is no stress on the battery. But this works best if you charge them the same time every day.

3. Don't Run Them Empty

Using up all the battery or letting it get super low isn't good. It's like pushing too hard. Keep the battery between 25% and 85% for best results.

4. Take Off the Case Cover

Case covers protect, but they make things hot. Remove them when charging to keep things cool. Also, try turning off some fancy features to save battery.

5. Keep Them Safe from Extreme Temperatures

AirPods are strong, but very hot or cold places can hurt them. Using them when it's too hot or too cold, like more than 35°C or less than 16°C, can make them act strange. Try to keep them comfy between 16°C and 22°C. Don't let them stay in a hot car!

Replacing AirPods Battery

If your Apple AirPods take a long time to charge, this might mean their battery is not working well. To fix this, you'll need to know a bit about how things work. The good news is, if you have an AppleCare+ warranty, you can ask for help at an Apple service center to repair or change the battery of your AirPods. They'll do it for free.

But remember, regular battery use isn't covered by Apple's service. And the people at the service center will check if your AirPods and their case have less than 80% of their original battery power.

How to Make Your AirPods Battery Last Longer

1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures:

Avoid extreme temperatures. Cold makes the battery weaker temporarily. Use them between 32ºF and 95ºF (0ºC and 35ºC). Hot temps also hurt. Don't leave them in hot cars.

2. Charge Smartly:

Don't always charge to 100%. AirPods charge up to 80% quickly, then slow down. It's okay to take them out early.

3. Check Volume:

Lower volume helps. Keep it down for a longer AirPods life. Turn it up when charging is easy.

4. Turn Off Carefully:

The battery is important. Recharging a lot lowers capacity. But don't save charges. Avoid fully emptying too.

AirPods Battery Replacement Cost

If your AirPods need a new battery, it will cost you $49 for just one side. To replace both sides, the total cost is $98. Remember, there might be additional shipping fees on top of this. You could simply buy a brand-new set of AirPods for a bit more money. So, if your current ones are getting old, replacing the batteries might not be the best choice.

If you have AirPods 1 or 2, there's a third choice. They offer an AirPods swap for $59.99. You trade in your old earbuds and get a new pair with refreshed batteries.

Bottom Line

AirPods last around 2-3 years, with batteries wearing out first. Charge wisely, avoid extremes in temperature, and remove case covers while charging. AirPods Max lasts 24 hours, others less. Repair with AppleCare+ or swap for new ones. Lower volume, charge smartly and stay informed about battery replacement costs.