How long do earbuds last? Most wireless earbuds last about two to three years of heavy use before their battery life drops enough to be annoying, according to an estimate from the review site SoundGuys. The rest of the earbud usually outlives the battery, but in most models the battery is glued in, so a worn battery means the end of the pair. Wired headphones and over-ear headphones with replaceable ear pads and cables can last much longer, often many years.
The real answer depends on how you charge, store and use them. Below is what wears out first, how long AirPods and headphones last, and how to make yours last longer.
How Long Do Wireless Earbuds Last?
Wireless earbuds wear out because their tiny lithium-ion batteries lose capacity with every charge cycle and with time. As Battery University puts it, battery packs “do not die suddenly, but the runtime gradually shortens as the capacity fades.”
How fast that happens depends on how deeply the battery is drained each time. In Battery University’s data for common NMC lithium-ion cells, the battery reaches 70% of its original capacity after about:
| Depth of discharge per cycle | Cycles until 70% capacity |
|---|---|
| 100% (full to empty) | about 300 |
| 80% | about 400 |
| 60% | about 600 |
| 40% | about 1,000 |
| 20% | about 2,000 |
Source: Battery University, BU-808.
Earbuds are recharged in their case every time you put them away, and the case itself is recharged every few days, so a few hundred full cycles can add up within two to three years of daily use. Heat speeds up the wear. A lithium-ion battery stored fully charged at 77°F (25°C) keeps about 80% of its capacity after a year, compared with 96% when stored at 40% charge; at 104°F (40°C) the figures are 65% and 85%, according to Battery University.
Battery life per charge and battery lifespan are different things. “Up to 8 hours” on a spec sheet is how long the earbuds run on one charge when new. Lifespan is how many months or years it takes before that number shrinks noticeably.
How Long Do AirPods Last?
AirPods follow the same pattern: tech sites such as SlashGear put their typical lifespan at two to three years before battery life drops noticeably, depending on use. On a single charge, the AirPods Pro 3 are rated for up to 8 hours with noise cancelling on and up to 24 hours with the case (Apple). The AirPods 4 are rated for up to 5 hours and up to 30 hours with the case (Apple).
Apple’s warranty does not cover batteries that wear down from normal use, but with AppleCare+ Apple will replace the battery at no extra charge if its capacity drops below 80% (Apple). The repair group iFixit suspects that, in practice, Apple swaps the whole earbud rather than the battery (iFixit). Earlier models are hard to repair: iFixit scored the AirPods Pro 3 0 out of 10 because the batteries are glued in (iFixit). The AirPods 5 are better, at 2 out of 10, because the earbud battery now connects with prongs instead of soldered wires (iFixit).
How Long Do Headphones Last?
Over-ear and on-ear headphones last longer than earbuds because they have more room for a battery and for parts that can be swapped.
- Wireless headphones. The battery is still the limit. Sony advises that if usage time drops significantly, the battery should be replaced, and that if you store headphones for a long time, you should charge them once every six months to avoid over-discharge (Sony). Some models make this easier: the battery in the Sony WH-1000XM6 is held with two screws instead of adhesive (iFixit), and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL battery can be replaced by the owner (Fairphone).
- Ear cushions. Bose says ear cushions should last for several years but wear down with frequent use. Headphone maker beyerdynamic calls the ear pads the part that wears out the fastest, and most of its parts, including cables, pads and headband, are replaceable.
- Wired headphones. With no battery, they can last many years if the cable and pads are replaced. Pads, headband padding and cables usually wear before the drivers do, according to headphone maker Ultrasone.
| Type | What wears out first | Can it be fixed? |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless earbuds | Battery | Rarely; batteries are usually glued |
| Wireless over-ear headphones | Battery, ear cushions | Often; cushions are sold, some batteries replaceable |
| Wired headphones | Cable, ear pads | Usually; many models have replaceable parts |
Signs Your Earbuds Need Replacing
- Battery life is much shorter than when new, and the case needs charging far more often.
- One earbud dies well before the other.
- The earbuds or case get unusually hot while charging. Samsung advises unplugging them and letting them cool.
- Charging contacts are corroded, which Samsung notes can happen when sweat or other liquid gets on them (Samsung).
How to Make Earbuds Last Longer
- Avoid draining to zero and avoid heat. Partial charges and partial discharges reduce stress on lithium-ion batteries, and the worst case is keeping a fully charged battery hot (Battery University). Do not leave earbuds in a hot car.
- Turn on optimized charging. On iPhone, Optimized Battery Charging waits to charge AirPods to full until just before you usually need them, which Apple says reduces battery wear (Apple).
- Keep them in the case. Apple and Samsung both advise keeping earbuds in their case when not in use (Apple, Samsung).
- Keep contacts dry and clean. Wipe AirPods with a cloth slightly dampened with fresh water and never run them under water (Apple).
- Charge stored headphones every few months. A battery left empty for a long time can be over-discharged; Sony recommends charging stored headphones once every six months.
- Replace parts, not the product. New ear tips, cushions or a cable cost far less than new headphones.
When you do buy new, choose a model with a replaceable battery and spare parts. Our list of the best eco-friendly headphones compares models by repairability and recycled content.
What to Do With Old Earbuds
Do not throw wireless earbuds in the trash or the recycling bin. Their lithium-ion batteries can be damaged or crushed in transport or in sorting equipment and start fires, according to the EPA, which lists wireless headphones as an example and recommends placing each device that contains a battery in a separate plastic bag. Take them to a battery or electronics drop-off: Best Buy accepts headphones for free in U.S. stores, and Apple says AirPods batteries should be recycled by Apple or an authorized service provider.
It matters: of 20.4 million tonnes of small electronic equipment thrown away worldwide in 2022, only 12% was recycled, according to the UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do AirPods last before the battery dies?
Typically two to three years on average before battery life drops noticeably, according to SlashGear. With AppleCare+, Apple replaces the battery at no extra charge if capacity falls below 80%.
Do earbuds wear out if you don't use them?
Yes, slowly. Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity with age even when not cycled, faster when stored hot or fully charged. Sony recommends charging stored headphones once every six months to avoid over-discharge.
Can you replace the battery in wireless earbuds?
In most models, not easily, because the batteries are glued in. Exceptions include Fairphone’s Fairbuds, whose earbud and case batteries are sold as spare parts, and the Google Pixel Buds 2a, whose case battery can be replaced by removing the bottom shell (9to5Google).
Do wired headphones last longer than wireless?
Usually. Wired headphones have no battery to wear out, and their weak points, the cable and ear pads, can often be replaced.
