Why Does One AirPod Drain Faster Than the Other? (and How to Avoid It)

Apple's AirPods offer one of the best user experiences when it comes to true wireless earbuds. The software magic Apple is known to weave, which allows seamless functionality with other Apple devices, along with the high-quality hardware in these earbuds, makes them a tough competitor for many.

Unfortunately, like other true wireless earbuds, these are bound to deliver poor battery backup after extended use. If you've recently noticed that one AirPod from your set drains faster than the other, here we explain why it's happening and how you can avoid it.

Why One of Your AirPods Dies Faster

There are many components involved in the working of AirPods, and each has a different level of impact on battery life. Hence, much of what you use your AirPods for does influence how long they last.

So, if you've noticed one of your AirPods draining its battery faster, there's a simple explanation behind it that involves its built-in microphone and software.

Whenever you pull your AirPods out of the case, they automatically choose one unit to serve as the active microphone while the other only functions as a speaker. And this unit that's using the microphone will drain faster.

How to Avoid Battery Degradation on One AirPod

Now, over a period of time, if only one specific AirPod gets used as the microphone, it can lead to excessive battery degradation on that unit, resulting in reduced endurance. Fortunately, there's a way to avoid such degradation. It involves periodically changing which AirPod functions as the microphone.

Once you have your AirPods connected to your iPhone or iPad, follow the steps listed below:

While choosing AutomaticallySwitchAirPods is the most convenient option, if you've started to feel that one AirPod is draining too quickly, use one of the other options. Although this may take away from the magic of the AirPods experience, it will help combat the randomness of long-term wear.

You can also perform these steps on your MacBook. Connect your AirPods to your Mac , and access AirPods Settings by clicking the AirPods icon in the macOS menu bar.

Make Your AirPods Last Longer

Following the steps above will aid a little in ensuring your AirPods don't randomly surprise you with poor battery life. And spreading wear between each unit is the ideal way to help the batteries in your AirPods last longer and save you the trouble of buying a replacement.

But don't forget that true wireless earbuds are perishable, so if you don't want to spend too much, consider buying cheaper options.

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