As an Apple product owner, I was feeling pretty frustrated when I realized my AirPods wouldn’t charge using my Apple Watch charger. After doing some research and testing, I decided to write this blog post to share my findings about whether or not you can charge AirPods with the Apple Watch charger, as well as some other solutions I discovered. So, if you’ve been wondering the same thing, read on to find out what I learned!
Update: The AirPods Pro 2 case does charge when placed on the Apple Watch charger.
The Apple Watch charger will not charge the AirPods or the case. This is because the Apple Watch charger is not powerful enough to actually charge the AirPods.
The wireless AirPods charging case can be charged using a Qi-certified charger or a lightning cable.
| Charging Method | Compatibility with AirPods Case | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Charger | No | None | – Cannot charge AirPods or the AirPods case due to low power output |
| – AirPods Pro 2 case is an exception, as it can charge on an Apple Watch charger | |||
| Lightning Cable | Yes | – Default and simplest way to charge the AirPods case | None |
| USB-C to Lightning Charging Adapter | Yes | – Allows you to use a USB-C cord for charging the AirPods case | None |
| Qi-Certified Charger (Wireless Charging) | Yes (with wireless charging case) | – Convenient wireless charging option | – Additional purchase required for wireless charging with a wireless AirPods charging case |
| – Compatible with both Apple and third-party chargers | – Wireless charging takes about 30% longer than charging with a cable due to lower energy transfer |
Table of Contents
Can I charge AirPods with the Apple Watch charger?
It is not possible to charge AirPods or the AirPods case using an Apple Watch charger. This is because the charger is not powerful enough to charge the AirPods or the case.
You may find that the case lights up when you put it on the Apple Watch charger, but this will not result in the case actually charging.
Of course, it is always an option to charge the AirPods charging case via a lightning cable.
If you want to be able to charge your AirPods or the AirPods case wirelessly, you will need a wireless AirPods charging case as well as a Qi-certified charger.
You can get more powerful Qi chargers from Apple themselves or you can get them from third parties.
Also, when charging the AirPods case wirelessly, it will take about 30% longer than when charging it with a cable.
This is because more energy is able to be transferred with a cable and more energy is given off when using a wireless charger.
Read more: Do I need AirPods for an Apple Watch?
Can I Use My AirPod Charging Case with a Wireless Charger?
You can charge your AirPod Charging Case with a Qi-certified charging mat or compatible accessory. You can buy these chargers from Apple directly or you can buy third-party chargers.
Read more: Can you track AirPods if they were reset?
What can be used to charge the AirPods charging case?
By default, the best option to charge your charging case is a Lightning cable, included with your AirPods. They are far from the only kind of cord you can use, but it is the simplest way for you to get it charged.
Otherwise, another option at your disposal is to use a USB-C to lightning charging adapter that allows you to use a USB-C cord instead.
In addition to using cords to charge your case, you can also use a Qi Charger. The Qi Charger is a popular wireless charging pad, particularly for Apple devices like the iPhone and AirPods. You can place the case on the Qi Charger to charge it.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wireless charging option available with a wireless AirPods charging case and a Qi-certified charger | Apple Watch charger cannot charge AirPods or the AirPods case due to low power output |
| AirPods charging case can be charged with a Qi-certified charger or a lightning cable | Wireless charging takes about 30% longer than charging with a cable due to lower energy transfer |
| Multiple options available for charging AirPods charging case, including Lightning cable, USB-C to lightning charging adapter, and Qi Charger | Additional purchase required for wireless charging with a wireless AirPods charging case and a Qi-certified charger |
| AirPods Pro 2 case can charge on an Apple Watch charger |
Note: The pros and cons listed above apply to the AirPods and the AirPods charging case. The AirPods themselves cannot be charged wirelessly and must be charged by placing them in the charging case.
