How Do You Charge Wireless Earbuds? Your Guide

Key Takeaways

• Charging Bluetooth earbuds is as easy as plugging the case into a charging cable, placing it on a charging pad, or even reverse charging them with your phone.
• You can even charge your earbuds without a case if your device supports it. Note that some major brands like Apple require a case for charging.
• Consider getting accessories like a charging station and a protective case to maximize your earbuds’ battery life.

A great pair of earbuds is probably the best way to consume your favorite media right now. But what’s the best way to charge your earbuds, and how do you charge wireless earbuds without a case? Get the answers you’re looking for with this quick guide.

Why Earbuds Are Real Gamechangers

Earbuds have single-handedly revolutionized personal audio for most consumers. That’s just one reason why learning how to charge wireless earbuds properly is so important. 

Convenience & Portability 

Whether it’s Android or Apple, most modern earbuds are designed to be slim and lightweight, fitting into the most cramped of pockets. These devices eliminate the need for cords entirely (except when charging) and let you move around seamlessly from the couch through your commute.

Seamless Integration

Wireless earbuds, when they first hit mainstream popularity, were often associated with phones above all else. That isn’t the case today. Modern earbuds can transition seamlessly between your phone, laptop, and tablet, especially if all your devices are part of a single ecosystem like Apple’s.

Popularity

Modern adoption of wireless headphones (including earbuds) has skyrocketed over the past decade, overtaking wired options. Today, 60% of adults use wireless headphones to consume media, according to a new study.

This popularity also means an increase in accessories, as long as you know how to charge wireless earbuds. This ranges from durable cases to keychains, making your earbuds truly your own.

The Importance of Proper Charging

Properly charging your Bluetooth earbuds is essential for:

• Preserving Battery Health: Following best practices like sticking to the sweet spot between 20% and 80% ensures you maximize your earbuds’ battery life and avoid accelerating degradation.
• Safety Considerations: Certain budget earbud options are prone to overheating, which can lead to more serious problems, such as total device failure and battery swelling. If you know how to charge wireless earbuds, you can reduce the chances of this happening.

Charging Your Earbuds

Charging with Your Case

Most modern popular wireless earbuds come with a carrying/charging case. This case stores and recharges your earbuds via built-in contacts, snapping your earbuds in place with magnetic force and making every charge hassle-free.

Steps

1. Gently open the lid of your earbuds case to access the slots.
2. Align the charging contact of each earbud with the pins located inside the case.
3. Snap your earbuds into place. How to know if your wireless earbuds are charging? Usually, you’ll hear a snap or a beep as feedback.
4. Close the lid to initiate charging.
5. Connect your case to a charger to power up the case itself.

Charging Without a Case (Direct USB Charging)

We’ve talked about how you charge wireless earbuds, but how do you charge wireless earbuds without a case? Certain brands do actually support this feature, but Apple doesn’t. You’ll need a case to charge your AirPods.

However, if you’re rocking a pair of Soundcores, you can power them up with a Micro USB cable. Charging your Bluetooth earbuds without a case is easy.

Steps

1. Connect a Micro USB (or any supported cable) to a charger with at least 25W of power.
2. Plug the other end of the cable into either or both of your earbuds to start charging.
3. Once they’re charged, you should see them light up or hear a beep. You’re good to go!

Charging Wirelessly for Qi-Compatible Models

Modern AirPods and even some Samsung models are now Qi-compatible, meaning they can be charged wirelessly if you have a supported charger. How do you charge wireless earbuds this way? 

It’s all about inductive charging. Your wireless charger’s magnetic coil generates a magnetic field. When connected with your case’s receiving coil, a charge is transferred, and boom, you’re now charging wirelessly.

Steps

1. Get a compatible wireless charger for your earbuds. Stick with reliable third-party options like Mophie for a smooth experience.
2. Place the charger on a smooth, flat surface and connect it to a power source.
3. Place your earbuds case (with or without the earbuds in it) on the charging pad.
4. The LED light on your earbuds case should light up if it’s charging properly.

Reverse Charging

The good news? Reverse charging is real! The bad news? You’ll need a cable to do it.

How do you charge wireless earbuds with your phone? It depends on your device. Reverse charging your Bluetooth earbuds with some Android phones is as easy as placing the case directly on the back of the phone, like a MagSafe accessory.

If you’re using a USB-C-compatible iPhone, you can do this by plugging the USB-C end of the AirPods charging cable into your device and placing the AirPods on the charging puck. It’s not ideal, but it works.

Steps (for iPhone)

1. Make sure you’re using a USB-C compatible iPhone.
2. Connect the AirPods charging cable to your iPhone.
3. Place the AirPods case on the charging puck.
4. You should see the LED on your AirPods case light up.
5. Ensure your iPhone has enough battery to provide a full charge. 

Pro Charging Tips

Use a Charging Stand

How do you charge wireless earbuds and other key devices at the same time? A charging stand. These accessories offer an elegant way to power up before work or even while you’re on the go, offering wireless charging for your Apple Watch, iPhone, AirPods, and more.

Get a Great Case

Knowing how to charge wireless earbuds without a case is great, but you should still do everything you can to protect your favorite earbuds from damage. That’s where a good case comes in.

For AirPods cases, you can’t go wrong with ZAGG’s Apollo Snap and Apollo Snap 2 lineup. These cases support everything from the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro to the latest AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2, offering you that prime rugged protection while still letting you charge your Bluetooth earbuds wirelessly.

Hassle-Free Charging with ZAGG

How do you charge wireless earbuds in style? With ZAGG! These MagSafe-compatible cases protect your favorite earbuds from nasty falls and let you zip to 100% when you’re in a pinch. Enjoy fast and free ground shipping when you order today.