How Long Does It Take to Charge AirPods? The Complete Charging Guide

The charging time of AirPods mainly depends on the model and the chosen charging method. Standard AirPods and AirPods Pro charging cases take about 1 hour to fully charge, while the earbuds themselves take 15-20 minutes in the case to reach 50% battery and about 1 hour for a full charge. The over-ear AirPods Max require approximately 2 hours to charge fully.

01 Charging Time for Different AirPods Models

Charging time varies slightly across different generations and models of AirPods. Refer to the data below for details:

AirPods Model Earbuds Full Charge Time Case Full Charge Time Quick Charge (15 mins) Usage
AirPods 1st/2nd Gen ~1 hour ~1 hour ~3 hours
AirPods Pro ~1 hour ~1 hour ~4.5 hours
AirPods Max ~2 hours - ~1.5 hours
🟢 AirPods 1st/2nd Gen: 15 minutes of charging in the case provides about 3 hours of listening time. After a full charge, the earbuds can last up to 5 hours. A fully charged case can provide up to 24 hours of additional total battery life.

🔵 AirPods Pro: 15 minutes of charging offers approximately 4.5 hours of usage. The battery life after a full charge is similar.

🔴 AirPods Max: A full charge takes about 2 hours, providing up to 20 hours of audio playback even with Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio enabled. In emergencies, 15 minutes of charging provides about 1.5 hours of playback.

02 How to Charge Your AirPods Correctly?

There are two main charging scenarios: charging the earbuds using the case, and charging the case itself.

Charging the Earbuds with the Case: Simply place the AirPods into the case when not in use to charge them automatically. The case has a built-in battery that can fully charge the earbuds multiple times, making it convenient for随时使用 (on-the-go use).

Charging the Case:

Wired Charging: Use a Lightning or USB-C cable (depending on the model) to connect the case to a USB charger or computer port. Charging is fastest when using an iPhone or iPad charger, or when connected to a Mac.

Wireless Charging: If you have a MagSafe Charging Case or Wireless Charging Case model, you can charge it on a Qi-certified charging mat. Place the case with the status light facing up and the lid closed. The light will illuminate for 8 seconds to show the current charge level (on AirPods Pro and similar models, tap the case to see the status: amber for charging, green for fully charged).

03 How to Check Your AirPods Battery Level?

There are several ways to check the remaining battery of your AirPods and the case:

Status Light:

When the lid is open and AirPods are inside, the light shows the earbuds' charge level.

When the earbuds are out, the light shows the case's charge level.

Green indicates sufficient charge, amber means the charge is less than needed for one full earbud charge.

The light's location varies by model: on the front for wireless charging cases, inside for older Lightning charging cases.

Checking via Apple Devices:

On iPhone or iPad: Ensure the AirPods are near the device, go to Settings > Bluetooth, and tap the "i" icon next to your AirPods' name to see the battery level.

On Mac: Open the lid or take out the earbuds, click the Bluetooth icon in the menu bar's Control Center, and select your AirPods.

You can also check the battery via the Batteries widget on iOS devices (requires at least one earbud in the case).

Low Battery Alerts: Notifications will appear on your iPhone or iPad when the battery level drops to 20%, 10%, and 5%. The earbuds will also play a tone at 10% and just before powering off.

04 Tips to Extend Battery Lifespan

Adopting the following charging and usage habits can effectively slow down AirPods battery aging:

Enable "Optimized Battery Charging": This feature is enabled by default on AirPods Pro and 3rd generation or newer models. It learns your daily charging routine and delays charging past 80% until you need to use them, which benefits battery health. You can manage this option in your iPhone's Bluetooth settings.

Use Original or Certified Accessories: It is recommended to use Apple original or MFi-certified (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod) charging cables, paired with official or certified power adapters for safety and reliability.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Charge and use your AirPods in environments between 0°C and 35°C (32°F and 95°F). Temperatures that are too high or too low can damage battery performance.

Avoid Full Discharges: Try not to wait until the earbuds are completely out of power before charging. It's recommended to recharge when the battery level drops to around 20%.

Keep Contacts Clean: Regularly clean the metal charging contacts on both the case and the earbuds to maintain a good connection and improve charging efficiency.

Use Features Wisely: High volume playback, prolonged use of Active Noise Cancellation, or Transparency Mode can drain the battery faster. Turning these features off when not needed can extend single-charge battery life.

Placing your AirPods back in the case whenever possible is the simplest charging strategy. The case acts like a portable power bank, ready to top up your earbuds anytime.

Wireless charging (for compatible models) makes charging even more effortless. Optimized Battery Charging helps delay battery aging—it's advisable to keep it enabled.

With a little attention, your AirPods can provide you with high-quality audio companionship for a long time.