Why your Apple AirPods' battery drains so fast and how to make it last longer

Short listening sessions don't mean your AirPods need to be replaced.

By Thomas Godwin Oct. 31, 2026 7:30 pm EST Primakov/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

One of the biggest challenges manufacturers face with wireless earbuds is battery longevity, and Apple is no exception. Lithium-ion batteries like the ones in AirPods typically get roughly 300 to 500 charge cycles before significant battery degradation kicks in — that's about two to three years. If your AirPods haven't hit that lifecycle stage yet, you need to check Apple's battery-life rating for your specific model. For instance, Apple rates AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) at four hours of listening time with ANC on and five hours with it off.