How Long Do AirPods Last – Battery and Lifespan (Explained)

The lifespan of AirPods is generally 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles. So, whichever one completes first will become the reason for your AirPods’ death.

180 million pairs of AirPods have been sold worldwide, making them the most popular Apple accessories for users from 2017-2024.

But… a question that frequently pops up in my mind: how long do AirPods last? Or even they worth buying in 2025 because today, I’ve so many other choices.

If you are surfing site to site to have an authentic answer to such questions, then you are on your destination.

Here, on NoGenTech, I’ve answered your question in two ways that’ll really expand your knowledge.

AirPods that have lithium-ion batteries and are charged daily have a lifespan of 2-3 years before their batteries lose capacity.

Furthermore, Tektronic has another research alongside that showcases AirPods can be dead after 300-500 charge cycles, whichever occurs first. Tech reviewers often suggest that Apple users replace the AirPods battery when it is dead.

But I don’t recommend this because this process isn’t always cost-effective, and you may also face some technical issues afterwards. In that case, replacing the pair should be your main concern if the previous ones have died.

Here is the lifespan of different AirPods:

• AirPods (1st Generation): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods (2nd Generation): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods (3rd Generation): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods Pro (1st Generation): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods Pro (2nd Generation): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C version): 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles
• AirPods Max: 2-3 years or 300-500 charge cycles

AirPods deliver up to 5-6 hours of listening time because of their built-in lithium-ion battery when fully charged.

Moreover, the battery life depends on the model and the period you wear it. The charging case of your AirPods provides extra charging support to them so that they can deliver playtime up to 24 hours without any problem.

And if you want to know a sort of estimation based on experience, I’ve stated it here:

• 10%: 30-35 minutes
• 20%: 60-65 minutes
• 30%: 90-95 minutes
• 40%: 120-125 minutes
• 50%: 150-155 minutes
• 60%: 180-185 minutes
• 70%: 210-215 minutes
• 80%: 240-245 minutes
• 90%: 270-275 minutes

There is no doubt, AirPods are a masterpiece by Apple, but their lifespan is tied to the limitations of lithium-ion batteries.

AirPods can run dead after a solid use of 2-3 years consistently, and even after 300-500 charge cycles, whichever occurs first.

If you’re in 2025 deciding whether to buy, the real question is “Will I use them enough to get my money’s worth before replacing them?”

Treat them well, keep them clean, avoid extreme temperatures, and you’ll squeeze every bit of life out of them before it’s time for an upgrade.