How Long do the AirPods Last?
AirPods are famous for their convenience and quality, but like all gadgets, they also have a lifespan. Typically, AirPods last around 2-3 years before their performance declines, especially their battery life. When new, they can provide up to 5 hours of listening time or 3 hours of talk time on a single charge, with the case offering up to 24 hours of extra juice.
The AirPods Pro 1st Generation can run up to 4.5 hours of listening time and up to 3.5 hours of talk time. However, over time, the battery naturally degrades, and you might need to charge them more often.
For most users, the AirPods’ performance will remain reliable for at least a couple of years, but if you’re a heavy user who relies on them for hours every day, you might notice a decline in performance in as little as 18 months. While this is normal, your usage habits directly affect your AirPods’ battery life, so use them wisely.
Factors Affecting Their Battery Life
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Usage habits: How often and for how long you use your AirPods directly impacts battery degradation. Frequent usage can cause the battery to worsen faster.
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Temperature: Extreme heat or cold can damage the lithium-ion battery in your AirPods. Using them in environments outside their recommended temperature range of 32°F to 95°F (0°C to 35°C) can lead to faster degradation.
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Volume: One major factor is the volume level—listening at a higher volume will drain the battery faster. Similarly, frequent switching between playback modes (active noise cancellation and transparency mode) can affect battery life, especially in AirPods Pro.
By being mindful of these factors, you can help your AirPods last longer between charges and preserve their overall lifespan.
How Often Should You Charge Them
Charging your AirPods too frequently or letting them drain all the way every time can negatively affect battery health. The thing with batteries is that every time you charge and discharge your AirPods, the battery loses a bit of its maximum capacity. Over hundreds of charge cycles, the battery’s ability to hold a charge diminishes, negatively affecting its health.
So, you should avoid letting your AirPods drop to 0% often, as lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when completely drained. Instead, aim to charge them (up to 80%) when the battery is around 20-30% to maintain healthy battery cycles. The good news is that AirPods' quick-charging feature allows them to be charged up easily whenever you need.
Keeping them just 15 minutes in the case can give you around 3 hours of listening time, so you don’t have to worry about keeping them on the charger for extended periods.
How to Care and Make Them Last Longer
Here are some practical tips to extend the lifespan of your AirPods and ensure they perform optimally:
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Turn to optimized charging methods: When charging your AirPods, use the appropriate cable and adapter. Avoid third-party charging accessories, which may not provide proper voltage and damage the battery.
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Lower the volume level: As tempting as it may be to watch movies or stream videos online in high volume, it will affect your AirPods’ battery percentage. However, keeping it at moderate levels will significantly extend the lifespan of your AirPods.
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Disable noise cancellation features when not in use: Frequent switching between modes can drain the battery faster. To conserve battery life, turn them off when you're not using active noise cancellation or transparency mode.
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Get a case cover: A protective case cover can help prevent scratches and damage to your AirPods, ultimately prolonging their lifespan. Doing so will also help you keep them away from direct sunlight and moisture.
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Use one AirPod at a time: If you don’t need to use both AirPods simultaneously, for instance, during a phone call, you can switch off one and save it for later. This small trick can help you reduce battery usage between earbuds and extend the lifespan of your AirPods.
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Keep them clean: Regularly cleaning your AirPods helps avoid buildup in the charging ports and speakers. Wipe them down with a dry, lint-free cloth, and carefully brush out any debris with a soft-bristled brush.
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Avoid extreme temperatures: Sudden and extreme temperature changes can affect the battery’s ability to hold a charge. So, it's best to keep your AirPods at room temperature and away from direct sunlight, heating vents, or cold environments.
When is the Right Time to Replace the AirPods?
Knowing when to replace your AirPods depends largely on your personal experience with them. Here are a few signs that it might be time to consider an upgrade:
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Significantly reduced battery life: If your AirPods can no longer hold a charge for more than an hour or two despite regular charging, it may be time to replace them.
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Frequent connectivity issues: While AirPods are usually great at syncing with your devices, frequent connection problems or audio drops could indicate a more serious hardware issue.
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Poor audio quality: If you often hear muffled audio or constant static during a phone call or while listening to music, it’s a sign the speakers might be wearing out.
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Malfunctioning charging case: Sometimes, the problem isn’t with the AirPods but the charging case. If the case no longer charges them properly or has some physical damage, it could be time for an AirPods replacement.
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Physical damage: AirPods are relatively durable, but they’re not invincible. Dropping them, exposing them to moisture, or failing to clean them regularly can damage their internal components. Dust, sweat, and dirt can build up in the speaker grills, diminishing sound quality.
Your AirPods can last a few years, but with some proactive care, you can extend their lifespan well beyond their expected duration. By keeping them clean, charging them correctly, and disabling features when not needed, you can extend their lifespan well beyond their expected duration.
However, when the battery life starts fading, you’ll know the signs to look for, and you can confidently decide when to replace them. At the end of the day, ensuring your AirPods last as long as possible comes down to how well you care for them—and these tips should help you keep your trusty earbuds going strong.
