GoKawiilApple offers battery and parts replacement service for AirPods instead of recycling
Apple will replace a degraded AirPods battery for $49 per earbud ($98 for a pair) rather than repair them in-house, and charges $79 per earbud for AirPods Max battery swaps. AppleCare customers can get free replacements if battery health drops below 80%, and Apple also sells replacement earbuds and charging cases at set prices for lost or damaged components.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
These prices make battery replacement clearly worthwhile for pricier models like AirPods Pro and Max, where a new set would cost far more, but less compelling for base AirPods given their lower retail price. Independent repair shops offer a cheaper alternative, but cutting open and regluing the earbuds sacrifices their original look and water resistance, a tradeoff consumers must weigh themselves.
- Apple charges $49 per earbud ($98 for both) to replace AirPods batteries, and $79 per earbud for AirPods Max.
- AppleCare can cover free battery replacement when capacity falls below 80%, or free fixes under standard warranty for failures.
- Replacing batteries is most cost-effective for higher-priced AirPods Pro and Max, less so for the $129 base AirPods 5.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — If your old AirPods' battery life is too far gone to justify a $49-$98 replacement, upgrading to the latest AirPods Pro 2 gets you noise cancellation and improved sound in a fresh pair. Plus, you can send your old ones back to Apple for recycling instead of tossing them in a drawer.
See Apple AirPods Pro 2 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Filipe Espósito, 2026-11-03
Published there as: “Don't throw away your old AirPods — do this instead”
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