Refurbished AirPods Max

Yes. Professional refurbishers thoroughly clean and sanitize AirPods before resale. The cleaning process is a standard part of how Apple products get refurbished, and it applies to all audio products, including AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max (1st generation). Apple introduced AirPods Max 2 with the H2 chip in March 2026, but RefurbMe's refurbished catalogue currently carries only the 1st generation.

Refurbishers typically follow these steps for AirPods:

• Sanitization: The earbuds and charging case are cleaned with specialized solutions that remove bacteria and residue.
• Ear tip replacement: For AirPods Pro, the silicone ear tips are replaced with new ones. Standard AirPods do not have removable tips.
• Mesh and speaker grille cleaning: Speaker meshes are carefully cleaned to remove debris without damaging the components.
• Charging case cleaning: The interior and exterior of the case are cleaned and inspected.

Apple-refurbished AirPods are cleaned to Apple's own standards and come with new ear tips (for AirPods Pro). Apple's promise of a brand-new battery and outer shell is an iOS-device benefit and does not cover AirPods. AirPods instead get genuine Apple replacement parts as needed, full functional testing, and Apple's standard one-year limited warranty, the same coverage Apple gives every refurbished product in its store.

If hygiene is a priority, you can take a few extra steps when you receive your refurbished AirPods:

• Wipe the earbuds and case with a slightly damp, lint-free cloth.
• For AirPods Pro, replace the ear tips with a fresh set (available from Apple for a small cost).
• Check that the speaker grilles are clear of debris.

Refurbished AirPods battery health varies depending on the refurbisher. The Apple Refurbished Store replaces the battery (and often the entire outer shell) on refurbished AirPods, so you can expect near-new battery life. Third-party refurbishers test battery performance but may not replace the battery unless it fails their minimum thresholds.

AirPods batteries are small and non-replaceable by the user. Unlike an iPhone or MacBook, you cannot swap the battery yourself or have it replaced affordably. This makes battery health especially important when buying refurbished AirPods, since a degraded battery directly affects listening time per charge. For context on the numbers, see our guide on how long AirPods last.

• Apple Refurbished Store: New battery, full original battery life. The most reliable option.
• Third-party refurbishers (Grade A): Battery typically retains 80%+ of original capacity. Listening time should be close to new.
• Third-party refurbishers (Grade B/C): Battery may have more wear. Expect somewhat shorter listening sessions between charges.

Unlike iPhones, AirPods do not display a battery health percentage in Settings. You can check the current charge level by opening the case near your iPhone, or through Settings > Bluetooth > (i) next to your AirPods. To gauge overall battery health, compare your actual listening time to Apple's published specs for that model.

If your refurbished AirPods arrive with noticeably poor battery life, contact the seller. This should be covered under the refurbisher's warranty or return policy.