Battery life is one of the most important factors when choosing and using wireless headphones. There's nothing more frustrating than having your headphones die during a long commute or workout. While manufacturers continue to improve battery technology, there's a lot you can do to maximise the runtime of your current headphones and preserve their battery health over the long term. In this guide, we'll share practical tips that can significantly extend how long your wireless headphones last between charges—and how many years they last before the battery degrades.
Understanding Headphone Batteries
Most wireless headphones use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, the same technology found in smartphones and laptops. These batteries are lightweight, energy-dense, and can be recharged hundreds of times—but they're not immortal. Understanding how they work helps explain why certain habits protect battery health.
Lithium batteries degrade over time through both use and age. Each charge cycle (going from 100% to 0% and back) causes small amounts of chemical wear. Heat accelerates this degradation. Keeping the battery at extreme states of charge (very full or very empty) for extended periods also stresses the chemistry. With proper care, a lithium battery can retain 80% or more of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles—roughly 2-3 years of heavy use.
Optimising Settings for Longer Runtime
Adjust ANC Settings
Active noise cancellation is one of the biggest battery drains on modern headphones. The microphones, processors, and anti-noise generation all consume power continuously. If you're in a quiet environment or don't need maximum noise isolation, consider lowering the ANC level or switching to transparency mode, turning ANC off entirely when not needed, and using adaptive ANC if your headphones offer it, which adjusts intensity based on environment.
Depending on the headphones, disabling ANC can increase battery life by 20-50%. For example, headphones rated at 30 hours with ANC might deliver 40+ hours without it.
đź’ˇ Quick Win
Most companion apps let you create profiles with different ANC settings. Create a "battery saver" profile that disables ANC and other power-hungry features for situations where maximum runtime matters more than noise cancellation.
Lower the Volume
Higher volume requires more power to drive the headphone drivers. While the difference isn't as dramatic as ANC, listening at moderate volumes (around 50-60% rather than 80%+) does contribute to longer battery life. As a bonus, lower volumes are better for your hearing health—a double benefit.
Disable Unused Features
Modern headphones include various features that consume power even when you're not actively using them. Consider disabling voice assistant always-on listening (Hey Siri, OK Google), auto-pause sensors if you don't use them, LED status lights if your headphones allow, and spatial audio or head tracking when listening to stereo content.
Check your headphones' companion app for power-saving options. Many manufacturers include dedicated battery optimisation settings that disable multiple features at once.
Use Wired Mode When Possible
Many over-ear headphones include a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening. When connected via cable, the Bluetooth radio and ANC can often be turned off, dramatically extending battery life—or in some cases, allowing you to listen even with a dead battery (though features like ANC won't work). If you're at your desk or in a situation where cables aren't inconvenient, wired mode is the ultimate battery saver.
Charging Habits for Battery Longevity
Avoid Extreme States of Charge
Lithium batteries experience the most stress when held at very high (above 80%) or very low (below 20%) charge levels for extended periods. For daily use, try to keep your headphones between 20% and 80% when practical. Charge them when they get low rather than waiting until they're completely dead, and unplug them once they're adequately charged rather than leaving them on the charger indefinitely.
🔑 Key Takeaway
The ideal charging habit is to top up your headphones regularly rather than doing full 0-100% cycles. Charging from 40% to 80% is gentler on the battery than charging from 0% to 100%. Think of it like snacking throughout the day rather than starving then feasting.
Don't Leave Them on the Charger
While modern headphones include protection circuits that prevent overcharging, keeping batteries at 100% for extended periods isn't ideal. If you charge overnight, your headphones spend 6+ hours at full charge. Instead, try charging during work hours when you can unplug once they're full, using smart plugs with timers to stop charging after a set period, or simply charging when you remember rather than on a fixed overnight schedule.
Use the Included Charger or Quality Alternatives
While most headphones use standard USB charging, the charger's quality matters. Using extremely fast chargers designed for phones can sometimes push more current than headphones need, generating excess heat. Stick to the included charger or cable when possible, or use a quality USB charger rated at 5V/1A or 5V/2A. Avoid cheap, unbranded chargers that may deliver inconsistent power.
Mind the Temperature
Heat is the enemy of lithium batteries. Don't charge your headphones in hot environments (like a car in summer), immediately after heavy use when they might be warm, or in direct sunlight. Similarly, don't use headphones while charging if you can avoid it—the combined heat from use and charging stresses the battery more than either alone.
⚠️ Australian Summer Warning
Never leave your wireless headphones in a parked car during Australian summers. Internal temperatures can exceed 60°C, potentially damaging not just the battery but also adhesives, plastics, and cushion materials. Always take your headphones with you or store them in an insulated bag.
Long-Term Storage Tips
If you're not going to use your headphones for an extended period (more than a few weeks), proper storage helps preserve battery health. Store them at around 50% charge—not full and not empty. Check the charge level monthly and top up if it drops below 20%. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.
If stored properly, headphones can sit for months without significant battery degradation. However, batteries do self-discharge slowly over time, so periodic check-ups are important for truly long-term storage.
Maintaining True Wireless Earbuds
True wireless earbuds have additional considerations because of their small batteries and charging cases.
Use the Case Wisely
The charging case acts as both storage and a power bank for your earbuds. When you place earbuds in the case, they begin charging immediately. To optimise battery health, don't leave earbuds in the case 24/7 if they're already fully charged, periodically use and recharge both earbuds and the case, and avoid letting the case's battery completely deplete for extended periods.
Keep Contacts Clean
Dirty charging contacts can prevent proper charging or cause inconsistent charge levels. Clean the contacts on both earbuds and the case regularly using a dry cotton swab or soft brush. If contacts are particularly dirty, a swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol can help—just ensure everything is completely dry before charging.
Balance Earbud Usage
If you frequently use just one earbud, that earbud's battery will experience more charge cycles and degrade faster. Try to use both earbuds together when possible, or alternate which earbud you use for mono listening. This helps both batteries age at a similar rate.
When to Replace the Battery
Despite your best efforts, batteries eventually degrade. Signs that your battery needs attention include dramatically reduced runtime compared to when the headphones were new (less than 70% of original), the battery draining quickly even when not in use, charging taking much longer than it used to, and the headphones shutting off unexpectedly even with charge remaining.
Some premium headphones offer battery replacement services through the manufacturer. For others, third-party repair services can sometimes replace batteries. Check your warranty and manufacturer options before assuming your headphones are destined for recycling.
By following these tips, you'll maximise both the daily runtime and the overall lifespan of your wireless headphones' battery. The small effort of mindful charging and usage habits pays off in years of reliable performance and delays the eventual need for replacement.