Since launching in 2016, Apple‘s AirPods have become one of the world‘s most popular wireless earbuds. Over time, Apple has introduced additional models like the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, leading to some confusion around how long each version takes to charge.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll provide a detailed breakdown of charging times for all AirPods models. Whether you need a quick boost to get you through a phone call or want to know how long it takes to reach a full charge, you’ll find the answers here.
An Overview of AirPods Generations and Models
Before diving into the charging times, it helps to understand the different AirPods models available:
AirPods
The original AirPods launched in 2016. Since then, Apple has released second-generation (2019) and third-generation (2021) models.
AirPods Pro
The AirPods Pro debuted in 2019 with active noise cancellation. Second-generation AirPods Pro were released in 2022.
AirPods Max
Over-ear wireless headphones launched in 2020. Currently only one generation exists.
Now let’s explore how long each generation of AirPods takes to charge!
AirPods 1st Generation
The original AirPods deliver up to 5 hours of listening time per charge. Here are the key charging details:
- Quick Charge Time: 15 minutes for ~3 hours listening
- Full Charge Time: 30 minutes in case
- Listening Time: Up to 5 hours
- Case Charges: 24+ hours worth
- Case Recharge Time: 60 minutes (from 0-100%)
- Charging Method: Lightning only
So if you need a quick boost before heading out, a 15-minute charge will get you around 3 additional hours of listening time. To charge the earbuds fully, plan on about 30 minutes in the charging case.
AirPods 2nd Generation
The second-generation AirPods offer the same great battery life as the originals. However, they added the option for wireless charging cases. Here are the charging specs:
- Quick Charge Time: 15 minutes for ~3 hours listening
- Full Charge Time: 30 minutes in case
- Listening Time: Up to 5 hours
- Case Charges: 24+ hours worth
- Case Recharge Time: 60 minutes (Lightning); 90 minutes (wireless)
- Charging Methods: Lightning or wireless
So whether you opted for a standard Lightning case or wireless model, you’ll get the same quick 15-minute boost and 5 total hours of listening per charge. The only difference is if you have a wireless charging case, it takes 90 minutes to recharge completely instead of 60.
AirPods 3rd Generation
The latest third-generation AirPods get you even more listening time between charges. Here’s what to expect:
- Quick Charge Time: 5 minutes for ~1 hour listening
- Full Charge Time: 60 minutes in case
- Listening Time: Up to 6 hours
- Case Charges: 30+ hours worth
- Case Recharge Time: 60 minutes (Lightning); 90 minutes (MagSafe/wireless)
- Charging Methods: Lightning, MagSafe, or wireless
The six total hours of listening per charge is a nice upgrade over previous generations. However, quick charge is slightly less powerful—just five minutes will get you around one hour of playback instead of three.
AirPods Pro 1st Generation
The first AirPods Pro models sacrificed some battery life for premium features like active noise cancellation. Here’s what to expect:
- Quick Charge Time: 5 minutes for ~1 hour listening
- Full Charge Time: 30 minutes in case
- Listening Time: Up to 4.5 hours
- Case Charges: 24+ hours worth
- Case Recharge Time: 60 minutes (Lightning/wireless)
- Charging Methods: Lightning or wireless
While total listening time per charge caps out around 4.5 hours, the quick five-minute boost returns around 60 minutes of playback. That‘s perfect if you just need a small top-up in between calls or songs.
AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
The second-generation AirPods Pro boast the best battery life of any AirPods model. Here are the vital charging stats:
- Quick Charge Time: 5 minutes for ~1 hour listening
- Full Charge Time: 30 minutes in case
- Listening Time: Up to 6 hours
- Case Charges: 30+ hours worth
- Case Recharge Time: 60 minutes (Lightning/MagSafe); 90 minutes (wireless)
- Charging Methods: Lightning, MagSafe, or wireless
With up to six full hours of listening per charge, the latest AirPods Pro match the standard third-generation AirPods. And the quick five-minute charge still returns around 60 minutes of playback.
AirPods Max
As Apple‘s premium over-ear headphones, the AirPods Max offer incredibly long battery life. Here’s what to expect:
- Quick Charge Time: 5 minutes for ~1.5 hours listening
- Full Charge Time: 90 minutes
- Listening Time: Up to 20 hours
- Case Charges: N/A (no case)
- Charging Method: Lightning only
The AirPods Max stand out with up to 20 hours of total listening time per charge—by far the longest of any AirPods model. Just note that a full charge takes 90 minutes, and there‘s no case for backup charging.
AirPods Charging Times Comparison Chart
For quick reference, here’s a comparison chart summarizing charging details for all major AirPods models:
| Model | Quick Charge (Hours Listening) | Full Charge Time | Hours Listening Per Full Charge | Case Charge Time from 0% |
| AirPods 1st Gen | 0.25hr » 3hrs | 30 minutes | 5 | 60 minutes |
| AirPods 2nd Gen | 0.25hr » 3hrs | 30 minutes | 5 | 60-90 minutes* |
| AirPods 3rd Gen | 0.08hr » 1hr | 60 minutes | 6 | 60-90 minutes* |
| AirPods Pro 1st Gen | 0.08hr » 1hr | 30 minutes | 4.5 | 60 minutes |
| AirPods Pro 2nd Gen | 0.08hr » 1hr | 30 minutes | 6 | 60-90 minutes* |
| AirPods Max | 0.08hr » 1.5hrs | 90 minutes | 20 | N/A |
*60 minutes for Lightning, 90 minutes for wireless
As you can see, quick charge times range from just five minutes to get around one hour of playback, up to 15 minutes for almost three hours of listening across the different models. Full charge times span between 30 minutes to a full 90 minutes depending on version.
And when it comes to battery life, the AirPods Max lead the way with a whopping 20 hours on a single charge!
Key Takeaways on AirPods Charging Times
To wrap up this complete guide on charging capabilities across AirPods product lines, here are some key facts to remember:
- Quick charges of just 5-15 minutes can deliver anywhere from one to three hours additional playback depending on model
- Full charges take between 30 minutes and an hour and a half across generations
- Total listening time per full charge ranges from 4.5 hours to an impressive 20 hours with the AirPods Max
- Cases can provide an additional 24-30 hours of backup charging for earbud models
- Recharging cases takes 60-90 minutes based on model and charging method
Understanding these charging standards can help set proper expectations on how long it takes to power up your specific AirPods.
Whether you need a fast top-up, want to fully recharge between uses, or simply maximize playback time from your AirPods Max, following the guidlines for your model ensures your earbuds will be powered up and ready to enjoy.
