Why Refurbishing AirPods Is a Smart Move

AirPods Pro feature Active Noise Cancellation for immersive sound. Transparency mode for hearing the world around you. They?re sweat and water resistant and have a customizable fit for all-day comfort.

• Active Noise Cancellation blocks outside noise, so you can immerse yourself in music
• Transparency mode for hearing and interacting with the world around you
• Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you
• Adaptive EQ automatically tunes music to your ears
• Three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit

All technology has a lifespan, and eventually, even Apple’s popular AirPods will wear out. When that time comes, you have options: replace, sell, or refurbish.

Buying refurbished is an attractive option, especially since new AirPods are expensive. This week, you can save over $55 on a pair of refurbished AirPods Pro.

What are refurbished AirPods?

Purchasing refurbished electronics is a smart move — and the right choice can even be indistinguishable from brand-new gear. When sourced from a trustworthy seller, refurbished AirPods and AirPods Pro are typically indistinguishable from their new counterparts. Saving money, a stout warranty, and Apple’s rigid satisfaction process are all great reasons to go with refurbished.

But a company called The Swap Club has figured out a way to revive the countless millions of dead earbuds that would otherwise head to landfills by installing brand-new batteries in them. It’s a process that iFixit calls “fearsome,” and the company is cagey about how exactly it does so without trashing the pods.

Then, they’re resealed, sterilized, and repackaged for another customer. The result is a pair of pristine wireless headphones that can be bought for a fraction of the price of their brand-new counterparts.

Are refurbished AirPods worth buying?

All technology has a lifespan, and after it dies or isn’t replaced, it spends most of its afterlife in landfills. But AirPods, like all Apple products, can be refurbished and given new life, helping to cut down on electronic waste.

Refurbished items also tend to cost less than new ones, and with AirPods in particular, this can save you a lot of money. This is especially true if you buy them from a retailer that offers a guarantee on their products.

While it’s possible to get scammed when buying used or refurbished electronics, the biggest risk when it comes to purchasing second-hand Apple products is that the seller may not be honest about the condition of the product. For this reason, it’s best to buy a refurbished pair of AirPods from an established retailer. This will give you a warranty against manufacturer faults, and they’ll often offer a return or replacement policy. This is particularly important because if you bought a faulty pair of earbuds, it could be difficult to resolve the problem without the help of Apple.

What are the differences between AirPods and AirPods Pro?

AirPods Pro are the latest pair of Apple’s wireless earbuds, and they offer some significant improvements over the first-generation model. For starters, the new AirPods Pro have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) that effectively reduces ambient sounds like bird chirps, fans, and chatter to let you focus on your music or podcasts.

On a full charge, the AirPods Pro have 3 hours of talk time and 5 hours of listening. The charging case can add another 6 hours of listening.

The new AirPods Pro also include Touch controls on the stem and a customizable fit with different ear tips. The second-generation model has improved noise cancellation and Adaptive Transparency mode for listening to the world around you, and it comes with a dedicated lanyard loop for your favorite accessory. In terms of design, the new AirPods Pro are almost identical to the first-generation model. They’re just a little bit lighter and feature a small speaker in the base of the case for tracking capabilities and a built-in chime that alerts you when the earbuds are put down or in your ears.

Where can I buy refurbished AirPods?

You can buy refurbished AirPods from a variety of places, including Apple and third-party sellers like Amazon and eBay. When shopping for a pair of used AirPods, look for ones that are certified refurbished by the seller and come with a warranty.

Also, consider how the earbuds are being described by the seller. For example, Woot calls its refurbished AirPods “Grade A,” which means they should have minor cosmetic flaws that aren’t visible when the earbuds are in your ears.

The newest version of the AirPods, which were released in 2019, feature active noise cancellation and a new Transparency Mode that lets you hear your surroundings without taking off the earbuds. They’re also water resistant, and they can provide up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge. Compared to the original AirPods, they’re slightly more expensive, but the extra features may be worth it for you. Whether you choose the original AirPods or the Pros, both models are great choices for audiophiles on a budget.