Are you tired of interrupting your listening sessions to recharge your earbuds? If so, we've got several tips that will help you choose long-battery-life earbuds and show you how to use them wisely.
What Is Considered Long Battery Life for Earbuds?
Ask 10 users what is a long battery life, and you’re likely to receive 10 different answers. Their responses will differ according to the devices they use, the demands they place on their devices, and the conditions under which they use their devices.
TWS vs. Wireless vs. Wired Earbuds
True wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds generally offer the shortest battery life, with 4 to 8 hours being typical. A charging case can elevate the playing time to around 12 to 24 hours.
However, the more upscale features you use, the less battery life you have. For example, using Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)places a notable drain on the battery. Operating your device with the volume on a high setting will also make greater demands on the power supply.
If you prefer high-grade audio codecs for better sound reproduction, you’ll also have to pay the price with a shorter battery life. In other words, LDAC, which enables Bluetooth streaming comparable to the quality of a CD, gobbles up more power than power-efficient AAC.
Old-school wireless earbuds with a wire or neckband connecting the earpieces traditionally offer a longer listening experience than TWS earbuds, thanks to larger batteries. Expect one charge to deliver between 10 and 20 hours of audio. A charging case might increase the time to as much as 30 hours.
Wired earbuds offer theoretically unlimited listening because they don’t rely on batteries or a power supply separate from your device. If the device is powered, the wired earbuds are functional.
Advertised vs. Real-World Battery Life
You should be aware that an advertised battery life will likely differ from the results you experience. The discrepancy exists because manufacturers test battery life under ideal conditions.
For example, they don’t test the battery life with the volume set at a high level. They also are probably not testing the device while using power-draining features such as ANC.
In real life, you’re likely to use your device occasionally in demanding weather conditions, which can affect the battery life. Both hot and cold weather can limit your listening time. In contrast, manufacturers tend to run their tests at room temperature.
Factors That Affect Earbud Battery Life
The more energy a battery can store typically means the longer it can power your earbuds. But other factors, such as how and under what conditions you use the earbuds.
Battery Capacity
Electricians measure the battery’s capacity in terms of milliampere-hours (mAh). TWS earbuds will often have battery capacities from 30 to 80mAh, while their charging cases might have anywhere from 300 to 1000mAh..
Volume, Codecs, and Features
The higher the volume, the more energy your device consumes. The effect of changing the volume can be surprising. Research reveals that cranking up the volume from the mid-range to a maximum setting can shorten the playtime from 20 to 30%.
If you’re a stickler for sound quality, you probably insist on using the finest Bluetooth codec available. For most people, that means LDAC, which delivers superb sound, but at the cost of shorter listening time between charges.
Another option for quality audio is aptX and aptX HD. But they’re also power-hungry. A compromise between fidelity and battery usage is AAC. On the lower end of audio quality is SBC, but it’s less demanding on the battery.
Smart features can also put a tremendous strain on batteries. For example, using ANC can reduce playtime by 30 to 50%.
Environmental Conditions
Batteries and electrical components function best in dry conditions with mild temperatures. Heat and cold force the batteries out of their comfort zones, compromising their performance. Moisture can also interfere with a device's operation while also increasing the chances of corrosion.
Different Earbud Styles and Their Normal Battery Life
TWS Earbuds
TWS earbuds operate independently of cables between the earpieces, making them fully wireless. There’s a battery in each earbud providing around 4 to 10 hours of use.
Entry-level versions offer about 5 to 6 hours of listening. A charging case allows for approximately 20 to 40 hours.
A good example of a higher-end model is the TOZO T12 Pro. It delivers about 10 hours of listening on batteries. Add the 500mAh charging case for more than 40 hours.
Open-Ear Earbuds
Open-ear earbuds don’t fully close off the inner ear, making it possible for you to still hear sounds around you for safety. Some open-ear earbuds perch on the outer ear while others avoid the ear altogether and send vibrations through the cheekbones.
The open-ear type is called open-fit and can operate for 4 to 6 hours per charge. Using a charging case will give you about 20 to 30 hours.
The open-ear earbuds that use vibrations are bone conduction earbuds. They can last 6 to 10 hours between charges.
Top-of-the-line models can deliver exceptional performance. The TOZO Open Buds are capable of 12 hours on their batteries alone and 42 hours using a case.
Neckband Earbuds
Traditional wireless neckband earbuds rely on the neckband to connect the earpieces. This style of earbuds has room for larger batteries, which allow for longer use.
The better quality models can deliver as much as 40 hours of listening between charges. Standard versions routinely offer 10 to 20 hours.
How to Maximize Your Earbuds’ Battery Life
It seems logical to fully recharge your batteries and use them until they are empty. However, doing so will speed up the rate of a battery’s decline. The battery’s chemistry is taxed the most when its charge level is at either end of the spectrum.
Keeping a Modest Charge Level
Your batteries will last longer if you resist the urge to fully charge them and stop the recharging process at around 80%. Similarly, try not to let your batteries completely discharge. Instead, don’t let their charge levels drop below 20%.
You also don’t want to charge your batteries too frequently. It’s tempting to recharge after every use, even when the capacity is between 20 and 80%. Theoretically, every charging session reduces a battery’s life.
Disable Unused Features
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the advanced features of your earbuds. Some of the features may be active by default. If you don’t need them, they’re needlessly draining your batteries. For instance, if you don’t need the noise-canceling property, turn it off and gain extra hours of listening.
Besides a noise-canceling feature, your earbuds might have additional options, such as touch sensors, motion sensors, and voice command ability..
Lower the Volume
Turning down the volume can save both your hearing and your batteries. Dialing down the volume will provide you with more hours between charges to play that beloved album again and again.
Store Properly
Try to keep your earbuds stored in a moderate-temperature environment that’s cool and dry. If the space is too cold, the temperature will slow molecular movement in the batteries triggering a loss of power.
Hot temperatures are also damaging. A temperature rise creates too much molecular activity, resulting in the chemicals pushing aggressively against the walls of batteries. The pressure can cause the battery to swell or leak.
Don’t forget to power down your earbuds if they don’t shut down automatically. You also want to protect your earbuds from physical abuse, mindful of the small, delicate electronics they house. If possible, store your earbuds in their charging case.
Enjoy Your Long Battery Life Earbuds
WFortunately, long battery life earbuds only require basic maintenance to return superior service. Remember to maintain a moderate charge level, turn off unnecessary features, lower the volume, and store your earbuds safely. Follow these tips, and you'll continue enjoying your device while getting extra life from your batteries.
