Revive your dying AirPods on the cheap with Podswap

By

Revive dying AirPods for less with the PodSwap receycling service.
AirPods get a new life and you get a fresh pair on the cheap thanks to the PodSwap recycling service.
Photo: Podswap

Podswap takes AirPods nearing the end of their useful life and replaces them with a fresh pair. And the recycling service costs considerably less than Apple charges to replace these wireless earbuds.

Plus, anyone using the service can take comfort knowing that their old AirPods will be recycled, not thrown away.

Batteries inevitably wear out. With regular use, the time AirPods last on each charge steadily decreases. After a couple of years, Apple’s earbuds are good for only an hour or so.

Apple will replace a pair with worn-out batteries for $98. Or Podswap will do it for $59.99.

Swap your dying AirPods with PodSwap recycling

The company is run by Emily Alpert and Emma Stritzinger. After Alpert’s AirPods were wearing out, they found a way to replace the batteries, which is surprising considering these devices were not designed to be repairable.

The service refurbishes first- and second-generation AirPods. And customers get a recycled pair with fresh batteries before they have to send in their old earbuds.

iFixit tested their claims, having PodSwap refurbish a specific pair, not do a swap. With new batteries, the test devices lasted four hours on a charge.

But the company warns that the pair of recycled earbuds customers receive used to belong to someone else and have had their batteries replaced. “Fine scratches and other minor imperfections may be visible on your replacement units,” notes PodSwap.

Currently, the recycling service is not available for AirPods Pro or AirPods Max. The same goes for the AirPods charging case.

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.