What battery health do refurbished AirPods come with?
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.
Why battery health matters more for AirPods
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.
What to expect by seller type
- 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.
How do I check AirPods battery health?
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.
What if battery life is too short?
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.
sky-blue • 2020 release
green • 2020 release
silver • 2020 release