How long wireless earbud batteries last and how to make them last longer
Two figures, not one
On true wireless earbuds you usually see two figures: how long the buds last on one charge and how long they last together with the case. The first tells you how long you can listen in one go; the second how long you can go without a socket, because every time you put the buds in the case, the case recharges them.
For example, the GOG100 last 10 hours on a charge and 42 hours with the case. The Buds4 last 7 hours on a charge and 28 hours with the case. Over-ear headphones have no case: the Pods M6 last 60 hours in one go.
Why it lasts less than it says
The hours on the box are measured in favourable conditions: medium volume, a common codec, room temperature. In daily life, high volume, noise cancelling switched on, long calls and cold weather shorten the battery life. On ANC earbuds the difference is easy to see: the battery lasts longer with ANC off.
It is not a fault if, listening loud, you get a little less than the figure on the product page. It is a fault if one bud always runs flat much faster than the other.
How long charging takes
A full charge of the buds in the case usually takes around an hour or two, and the case itself charges by cable in a few hours, depending on the model. Many earbuds also have quick charging: a few minutes in the case give you an hour or more of listening.
The GTA18 also charge on a Qi wireless charger, so you put the case on the same pad as your phone, with no cable.
Habits that help the battery
The lithium-ion batteries in earbuds do not need to be run flat before charging. What helps them more is not sitting at zero for long and not getting hot. Do not leave the buds or the case in a car in the sun, on a radiator or in hard frost.
If you do not use the earbuds for a few weeks, charge the case now and then so it does not sit completely flat. Put the buds back in the case when you are not listening: that way they charge and do not get lost.
What drains the battery most
High volume uses the most. Next comes active noise cancelling, which runs microphones and processing all the time, and calls, because they switch the microphones on. A weak signal, with the phone far away or in another pocket, makes the buds work harder to keep the link.
If you want more battery on a long day, turn the volume down a little, switch ANC off when you do not need it and keep the phone close.
When to choose by battery
For running and the gym, 8–10 hours on a charge is plenty: you rarely listen longer in one go. For long flights and commuting it matters more: over-ear headphones with 48–60 hours spare you from charging for days. For the office, look at the hours per charge so they last a working day.
How long the battery lasts in years, rather than hours, is another matter; we cover it in the guide on how long wireless earbuds last.
Battery and case when travelling
On a long trip, the case matters more than the buds. A full case gives you several times the buds' battery life, so charge it before you leave. If you fly, the case goes in your hand luggage with the buds.
On the way, you can recharge the case from a power bank or the USB port on the plane or train. A small power bank with a USB-C port is enough for several case charges. Over-ear headphones have no case, so charge them fully before you leave: the Pods M6, at 60 hours, usually cover the way back too. And take the cable: a socket is easier to find than the right cable.
Every model is in the shop, under true wireless earbuds and over-ear headphones.