How Fast Do AirPods Pro Charge: Charging Speed and Times Explained

Understanding how quickly your AirPods Pro charge can enhance your user experience by ensuring you have your earbuds ready when you need them. AirPods Pro are designed for a fast charging experience, so you can spend less time tethered to a power outlet and more time enjoying your audio. The efficiency of the AirPods Pro’s charging allows for a considerable amount of battery life with just a few minutes connected to power.

With just a 5-minute charge, your AirPods Pro can give you roughly an hour of listening time, which can be a lifesaver when you’re heading out and realize your battery is low. For a full charge, giving your AirPod Pro earbuds and the case sufficient time to reach 100 percent will maximize your listening and talk time. This can take around an hour, which can prepare you for up to 24 hours of listening time or 18 hours of talk time when the earbuds are stored in and periodically charged by the case. The actual time may vary based on various factors like device settings, environment, and usage.

Charging is simple and can be done via a cable connected to a power adapter or via a compatible wireless charging pad. If you’re using a cable, connect the case to a power outlet using a Lightning to USB Cable, or in the case of the AirPods Pro (2nd generation), use a USB-C connector. Ensuring you have the appropriate charging setup ensures your AirPods Pro are ready to use without any long waits.

AirPods Pro Charging Overview

When you charge your AirPods Pro, the process is both efficient and convenient. Here are the essential points you need to know to get your device back to full power:

• Charging Case Requirements: Use a Lightning to USB Cable with a compatible power adapter. For the latest AirPods Pro case with a USB-C connector, pair it with a USB-C cable and power adapter instead.

• Charging Times: Charging your AirPods Pro for about 5 minutes gives you roughly 1 hour of listening time. A full charge takes approximately 1 hour but can vary depending on your usage and environmental factors.

• Battery Capacity on a Full Charge:

  • Listening Time: Up to approximately 4.5 to 5 hours.
  • Talk Time: Slightly less, as talking generally uses more battery.

To charge your AirPods Pro:

1. Place them in their case.
2. Connect the case to a power source using the appropriate cable and adapter.
3. The status light turns amber, indicating charging is in progress, and once it turns green, your AirPods Pro are fully charged.

Quick Charge Capabilities: In urgent situations, a quick 15-minute charge can provide about 50% of total battery capacity, ensuring you have enough power for your needs.

Remember, battery life is influenced by a variety of factors, including volume level, active noise cancellation usage, and the age of the AirPods Pro. To monitor your charge, check the battery widget on your iPhone or ask Siri about the AirPods Pro battery life.

Charging Methods

When you need to charge your AirPods Pro, you have two primary methods at your disposal: charging with the case or directly without the case. Each method offers a different level of convenience and efficiency.

Charging with the Case

To charge your AirPods Pro with the case:

1. Place your AirPods Pro inside the charging case.
2. Connect the case to a power source using the provided Lightning to USB Cable or a compatible power adapter.
3. For the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with a USB-C connector, use a USB-C to USB-C cable and adapter if necessary.

This method allows for quick and secure charging, ensuring your AirPods Pro are ready to go when you are.

Charging without the Case

Currently, AirPods Pro cannot be charged without their case. They are designed to be charged exclusively within their provided charging case, making it essential to keep your case charged and operational.

Charging Speed

When you choose AirPods Pro, you benefit from Apple’s fast charging technology, which ensures you don’t wait long to enjoy your music or make calls.

Fast Charging Capabilities

Your AirPods Pro can reach significant battery levels quickly with fast charging. Just 15 minutes of charging can provide up to 50% of battery life, which translates to around 3.5 hours of listening time or 2 hours of talk time. This feature is particularly helpful when you need a quick boost before heading out.

Full Charge Duration

For a full charge, your AirPods Pro typically require around 1 hour to 2 hours. Once fully charged, you can expect up to 4.5 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, or 5 hours with it turned off. Charging your case to 100% should take approximately an hour longer than the earbuds themselves.

Optimizing Charging

When charging your AirPods Pro, using specific methods and accessories can significantly enhance charging efficiency.

Using the Right Charger

• Use an Apple-certified charger: Ensure you’re using a charger certified by Apple for compatibility.
• Power source matters: Connect to a wall outlet rather than a computer or laptop USB for faster charging.

Firmware Updates and Charging

• Regularly update AirPods Pro firmware: Firmware updates often carry improvements to charging efficiency.
• Check for updates: Keep your paired iOS device updated to automatically transfer firmware updates to your AirPods Pro.

Battery Health Maintenance

To maximize the lifespan of your AirPods Pro, it is important to maintain the battery health by adopting practices that can extend its life cycle.

Tips for Longevity

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Your AirPods Pro are designed to perform well in a wide range of temperatures, with 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F) being the ideal comfort zone. Exposure to very low or high temperatures can shorten battery life.

• Optimize Settings: Activate the Automatic Ear Detection feature to ensure your AirPods Pro only use battery when they are in your ears. Similarly, turn off Noise Cancellation when it’s not needed to conserve battery.

• Use the AirPods Pro Case Efficiently: Always store your AirPods Pro in the case when not in use to ensure they are charged. If the case itself is depleted, charge it to 80% regularly rather than always keeping it at 100%.

• Maintain a Charge Cycle: Try not to let your AirPods Pro battery fully deplete before recharging. Lithium-ion batteries perform better when charged regularly instead of being taken from 0 to 100%.

Understanding Battery Cycles

• Definition of a Battery Cycle: A cycle count is completed every time you use 100% of your AirPods Pro’s battery capacity, but this doesn’t necessarily mean one single charge. It could take several sessions of use to complete a cycle.

• Cycle Count’s Impact: Your AirPods Pro are designed to retain up to 80% of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under normal conditions. Understanding and managing these cycles can help maintain battery health over time.

Troubleshooting Charging Issues

If your AirPods Pro aren’t charging as expected, you’re likely facing one of a few common issues. The solutions may range from simple connectivity fixes to addressing power-related concerns.

Common Problems

• Incorrect placement in case: Ensure your AirPods are correctly seated in the charging case.
• Dirty charging ports: Clean the contact points on both the AirPods and the case.
• Damaged cables: Use a different charging cable to rule out a faulty wire.
• Case battery depleted: Charge the case fully before attempting to charge AirPods Pro.

Resolving Connectivity Issues

1. Re-establish connection: Go to your iOS device’s Bluetooth settings and reconnect your AirPods.
2. Reset AirPods: Press and hold the setup button on your charging case with the AirPods inside until the status light flashes white.
3. Update firmware: Ensure your AirPods are updated to the latest firmware via your iOS device.