Apple AirPods are top-of-the-range wireless earphones renowned for their decent sound quality and reliability. These earphones allow you to listen to music, answer calls, or instruct Siri (Apple’s virtual assistant) for an immersive audio experience.
But like any wireless earphones, you must charge your AirPods to get the most out of them. They come with rechargeable batteries that require charging after several intervals of use.
Fortunately, charging your AirPods is easy since they come with a charging case. You only need to place them in the case to recharge them.
So, how long do AirPods last on a single charge? Read on to find out…
Key Takeaways
- The battery life of your AirPods depends on the AirPod model, listening time, talk time, battery percentage, set volume, and environmental factors.
- AirPods have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a limited lifespan and may require recycling after 2 to 3 years
- Even though AirPods are water and sweat resistant, avoid exposing them to extreme conditions and temperatures to extend their lifespan.
- Always store AirPods in their charging case to protect them and enhance their battery life by up to 30 hours.
- AirPods are eligible for a free battery replacement if you have an AppleCare+ warranty for headphones and the AirPods’ battery does not hold more than 80% of its original capacity.
Apple AirPods
How Long Do AirPods Battery Last?
The battery life of your AirPods varies depending on several factors, such as the AirPod model, volume level, total listening and talk time, current battery percentage, and environmental factors.
Here’s a breakdown of the battery life of different AirPod models:
AirPods 2nd Generation
- The 2nd Generation AirPods have a wireless charging case that provides more than 24 hours of battery life with multiple charges.
- These AirPods offer 3 hours of talk time or 5 hours of listening time on a single charge.
- Charging the AirPods for 15 minutes will give you 2 hours of talk time or 3 hours of listening time.
AirPods Gen2 Estimated Battery Life
AirPods 3rd Generation
- The 3rd Generation AirPods come with a MagSafe Charging Case that provides up to 20 hours of talk time or 30 hours of listening time.
- These AirPods offer 4 hours of talk time or 6 hours of listening time with a single charge. With Spatial Audio enabled, you will get 5 hours of listening time.
- Charging the AirPods for 5 minutes, in their case, will give you 1 hour of talk time or 1 hour of listening time.
AirPods Gen3 Estimated Battery Life
AirPods Pro 1st Generation
- The AirPods Pro 1st Generation provides up to 18 hours of talk time or 24 hours of listening time with multiple charges in their wireless charging case.
- You will get 4.5 hours of listening time with one charging cycle or 5 hours with Transparency mode and Active Noise Cancellation disabled.
- These AirPods provide 3.5 hours of talk time with a single charge.
- Charging the AirPods for 5 minutes, in their case, will give you 1 hour of talk time or 1 hour of listening time.
AirPods Pro Gen1 Estimated Battery Life
AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
- The AirPods Pro 2nd Generation provides up to 24 hours of talk time or 30 hours of listening time with multiple charges in their wireless charging case.
- You will get 6 hours of listening time with one charging cycle or 5.5 hours with Head Tracking and Spatial Audio enabled.
- These AirPods provide 4.5 hours of talk time with a single charge.
- Charging the AirPods for 5 minutes, in their case, will give you 1 hour of talk time or 1 hour of listening time.
AirPods Pro Gen2 Estimated Battery Life
AirPods Max
- The AirPods Max provides up to 20 hours of talk time, listening time, or movie playback with Spatial Audio and Active Noise Cancellation enabled.
- Charging the AirPods Max for 5 minutes in their smart charging case will give you 1.5 hours of talk time or 1.5 hours of listening time.
AirPods Max Estimated Battery Life
Checking the Charge Status of Your AirPods
Follow these steps to check the battery percentage of your AirPods on your iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, or Mac:
On an iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad:
- Open the charging case lid with the AirPods inside.
- Move the charging case close to your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad.
- Wait for a few seconds.
- The charge status will appear on the screen of your device.
- Alternatively, use the battery widget on your device to view the charge status.
Ways to Check AirPods’ Battery Levels on iPhone
On a Mac
- Open the charging case lid or take the AirPods out of the charging case.
- Move the charging case or the AirPods closer to your Mac.
- Click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar.
- Find your AirPods under the Devices list.
- Hover the mouse pointer over the AirPods to check the charge status.
Checking AiPords’ Battery Levels on a MacBook
What is the Average Lifespan of AirPods?
Apple AirPods have a life expectancy of 2 to 3 years, depending on how frequently you charge them. They comprise rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, which typically get worn out within three years or so.
Lithium-ion batteries do not hold a charge very well. For this reason, they require frequent charging to retain power. However, the batteries deteriorate gradually with every charge, meaning you must replace them after two or three years.
AirPods Battery Degradation Explained
Tips to Improve AirPods Battery Life & Lifespan
Apple AirPods rank highly among the best wireless earphones. However, they consist of rechargeable Lithium-ion batteries, which have a poor reputation for holding a charge.
The good news is that you can prolong the battery life of your AirPods, allowing them to last longer per charge.
Here’s how to make your AirPods last longer with every charging cycle:
Keep the AirPods in the Charging Case
The most effective way to protect your AirPods and retain their battery power is to store them in their charging case when not in use. The wireless charging case keeps the AirPods charged, providing up to 30 hours of battery life. It also protects the earphones against damage.
Reduce the Volume Level
One sure way to make your AirPods last longer is to reduce the volume. Apple did a series of tests to see the impact of volume levels on the battery life and established that high volume drains the batteries faster. Reducing the volume level is also good for your eardrums.
Disable Non-Essential Smart Features
Apple AirPods are renowned for their premium smart features, such as Spatial Audio, Active Noise Cancellation, Automatic Ear Detection, and Head Tracking. Even though these features enhance your audio experience, they usurp too much battery power, reducing the listening time or talk time by more than one hour.
How to Disable Spatial Audio on AirPods
Alternate Between the AirPods
Consider using one AirPod at a time to save battery power when answering calls. Turn off the other earbud and place it in the case to charge. This strategy will ensure your AirPods serve you throughout the day.
Avoid Deep Discharges
Do not allow your AirPods or the case to reach 0% before recharging the battery. Deep discharges can cause irreversible damage and reduce the lifespan of your lithium-ion batteries, forcing you to replace them or buy new AirPods.
Keep the Charging Case Closed
Whenever you open the charging case lid, it automatically connects to nearby iOS devices via Bluetooth. However, Bluetooth connections usurp your battery power, leaving your AirPods requiring a recharge. With this in mind, keep the case closed and only open it when you want to charge your AirPods to avoid draining the battery.
Remove the Case Cover When Charging
The charging case has a cover that protects it and your AirPods from scratches, dirt, dust, and other elements. However, the protective cover can generate excess heat during charging, which can damage the battery. As such, consider removing the case cover when charging.
Keep the AirPods Away from Extreme Temperatures
High or low temperatures can damage the battery and reduce the lifespan of your AirPods. The optimal temperature range, as recommended by Apple, should be between 62-72°F or 16-22°C.
Avoid Exposure to Water
Even though AirPods are sweat and water-resistant, they are not waterproof. You cannot use them for watersports and other related activities. Keep your AirPods dry and clean to prolong their lifespan.
Take Advantage of AppleCare+ Warranty
If you have a valid AppleCare+ Warranty, use it to repair your AirPods or replace damaged batteries. However, this warranty doesn’t cover AirPods or batteries damaged from regular use.
Ways to Improve AirPods Battery Life
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: How many years will AirPods last?
- Answer: AirPods usually last for 2 to 3 years before requiring replacements. These wireless earphones comprise rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which typically get worn out within three years or so. Even though you can replace the batteries with a valid AppleCare+ warranty, most users might prefer to purchase new-generation AirPods. After all, replacement batteries might not work as well as new batteries.
- Question: How long do AirPods last on 100% Charge?
- Answer: This depends on the model of the earphones. 1st generation AirPods provide 4.5 hours of listening and 3.5 hours of talk time on a full charge. 2nd generation AirPods support 5 hours of listening and 3 hours of talk time. 3rd generation offers up to 6 hours and 4 hours of listening and talk time, respectively. 2nd generation AirPods Pro provides 6 hours of listening and 4.5 hours of talk time.
- Question: Why are my AirPods dying so quickly?
- Answer: Your AirPods might be dying quickly because the lithium-ion batteries are worn out and cannot hold a charge as effectively as before. Since lithium-ion batteries require frequent charging to keep power, they are prone to deteriorating after every charging session. You may need to replace or recycle the batteries to solve the issue.
- Question: Do AirPods eventually stop working?
- Answer: Yes. Your AirPods will eventually stop working unless you replace the batteries. Since AirPods have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with a limited lifespan, you should expect them to stop working when the batteries wear out completely. When this occurs, consider replacing the batteries or purchasing new AirPods.
- Question: How do I make my AirPods last longer?
- Answer: You can make your AirPods last longer by storing them in their charging case when not in use. The casing can provide 24-30 hours of battery life, ensuring the AirPods are always topped up. Keeping them in their case also protects them against damage from extreme temperatures, consequently prolonging their lifespan. Reducing the volume and turning off non-essential features can extend the battery life of your AirPods.
Conclusion
AirPods are renowned for their comfort and convenience, making them among the most popular wireless headphones. They provide decent sound quality, and you can pair them with other non-Apple products, from smart TVs to Android phones.
The only slight concern is that AirPods do not hold a charge for long compared to rival earphones. They have lithium-ion batteries that require frequent recharging.
The good news for Apple lovers is that you can use various hacks to prolong the battery life of your AirPods. Use this detailed guide to improve the battery life and lifespan of your AirPods.
