Your Bluetooth earphones have an expiration date ‣ Diverse Daily

Despite advances in technology making it far easier to “cut cords,” that convenience has always come with a catch. Wireless devices, despite being some of our most-used gadgets, are often the hardest to keep alive for several years. Earbuds are one such device. They have been around for a hot minute, and these little audio magicians have made everyday life infinitely easier. Taking calls or listening to your favorite tunes or podcasts on the go is a luxury and benefit that can’t be overstated. Music and podcasts get me through my 3.5-mile walks every morning. They also help pass the time when I drive 1.5 hours away every week to take my son to club soccer practice or 4+ hours away on weekends for games and tournaments. Also, the older I get, the less time I have to actually sit down and read a book. Multitasking with audiobooks streaming through my earbuds is necessary to keep the hobby alive. But sadly, these tiny, helpful devices are living on borrowed time.

It’s no secret that any wireless electronic device is operating on battery power. We have to recharge phones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, and more. And unless you’re totally new to modern tech, you likely understand that every rechargeable battery is taking another step toward permanent death each time it’s charged. Granted, advances in rechargeable batteries are occurring with each new generation of tech, with many built-in batteries lasting longer and longer. But for two small devices like earbuds, how long could the battery actually last?

It’s definitely not going to last forever

Each charge cycle is one more step toward earbud retirement

OSO AI Earbuds box and charging case front view

Earbuds are rather small devices, which means the battery inside them is limited by the size of the earbud. The strength of these lithium-ion batteries is naturally affected by their size restriction. Many times, the speed of battery degradation has nothing to do with poor production. Also, the batteries in each earbud aren’t simply powering audio processing; they have to power microphone usage and Bluetooth connectivity as well. There’s a lot of work being placed on such a small power bank. Naturally, like any overworked machine part, they’ll degrade rapidly. This is a real component to consider when selecting your on-the-go audio source. If you’re primarily using your earbuds as a means to listen to music, consider picking up a pair of wireless headphones instead. These devices leave more room for a larger and stronger battery that not only extends the life of the battery, but also increases the number of consistent operating hours before a necessary recharge. Earbuds tend to last anywhere from 4–8 hours, depending on the quality and other elements such as Active Noise Cancellation being enabled. A solid pair of headphones can last 20 hours or more.

Another problem that earbuds pose is that each device operates separately from one another, meaning they are charged separately and prone to differences in treatment and user circumstances. One earbud could simply degrade faster than another. It’s a real factor that’s been known to occur with some earbuds capable of holding upwards of 10-15% more charge than their counterpart. This could be due to unseen variables or simply because many times you have only one earbud playing, so you can listen to the outside world with your other ear. It’s a problem that plagues many earbuds on the market.

When is it time to replace your earbuds?

Knowing when your earbuds are ready to move to the great beyond for electronics is half the battle

With any set of earbuds, there are three batteries that come into play: one for each earbud and one for the charging case. If any one of the batteries begins to degrade or falter, the whole system is affected. The key symptom to look for is simple. If you once were able to listen to music or podcasts for as long as you needed, but now can only go 1–2 hours before a recharge, it’s probably time to move on. Charging earbuds isn’t the only factor that has an effect on the longevity of the batteries inside them. Environmental factors can also impact your battery’s life and overall health. For instance, leaving your earbuds or charging case out in the hot sun can cause the batteries in them to age rapidly, having a distinct effect on their long-term capacity.

Overall, there is no definitive timeline for the life of earbuds. And obviously, most busy adults don’t have a full 6–8 hours a day to listen to music or podcasts before being forced to recharge their earbuds. Most people don’t even notice the degradation of the battery since earbuds live inside their charging cases when not being used. But most earbuds with consistent usage last a person anywhere from 2–3 years. This can vary depending on the quality of the earbuds and your treatment of them, of course. At the end of the day, you may not be able to prevent your earbuds’ batteries from aging, but it’s best to understand their limitations so that you can make smart investments that suit your needs. And maybe, just maybe, we’ll be capable of replacing earbud batteries with ease one day.