A single replacement AirPod costs $69 for the standard model, $99 for AirPods Pro, and $79 for AirPods Max ear cups
Apple sells individual AirPods through its website, Apple Stores, and authorized retailers. You buy them one at a time, not in pairs. The price depends on which model you own: the basic AirPods are $69 each, AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are $99 each, and the ear cups for AirPods Max are $79 per side. If you lost one earbud and still have the charging case, you only need to replace the one you lost.
You do not need to buy a whole new set. Apple's system pairs a replacement earbud to your existing case automatically when you first charge it, so the new one will work with your old one right away. The replacement will have the same features and battery life as your original pair.
Key Takeaways
- A single replacement AirPod costs $69 for standard AirPods, $99 for AirPods Pro, and $79 for AirPods Max ear cups.
- You can buy one earbud at a time directly from Apple, Apple Stores, Best Buy, Amazon, and other major retailers.
- A replacement earbud pairs to your existing charging case automatically and works when ready without setup.
- If your charging case is damaged or lost, you will need to buy a replacement case separately, which costs $39 to $79 depending on the model.
- AppleCare+ covers accidental damage to one earbud for $29 per incident after the deductible, but only if you purchased the plan before damage occurred.
Where to buy a single replacement AirPod
Apple's official website and physical Apple Stores carry all replacement models in stock. You can order online and pick up the same day at most locations, or have it shipped to your home. The price is always $69, $99, or $79 depending on your model—Apple does not discount individual earbuds.
Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart also sell individual replacement AirPods at the same official prices. Best Buy often has them in stock for same-day pickup. Amazon typically ships within two days. These retailers do not offer discounts on single earbuds either, so the price is consistent across all of them.
Third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay sometimes list used or refurbished AirPods at lower prices, but there is no may provide they will pair correctly to your case or hold a charge. Buying from Apple or a major retailer ensures the earbud is new and under warranty.
What to do if you lost your charging case instead
If you lost the case but still have both earbuds, you need a replacement case, not a replacement earbud. A replacement charging case costs $39 for standard AirPods, $49 for AirPods Pro, and $79 for AirPods Max. You can buy these from the same retailers as individual earbuds.
Your existing earbuds will pair to the new case automatically when you place them inside and close the lid. The case holds the battery that charges your earbuds, so without it you can only use them until the battery drains—usually four to six hours for AirPods Pro, depending on usage.
If you lost both an earbud and the case, you will need to buy both separately. In that situation, it is sometimes cheaper to buy a new pair than to replace both pieces individually, depending on sales or refurbished options available at the time.
AppleCare+ coverage for accidental damage
AppleCare+ for AirPods costs $29 and covers accidental damage like water damage, cracks, or battery failure. If you damage one earbud, Apple charges a $29 service fee and sends you a replacement. You must have purchased AppleCare+ before the damage happened—you cannot buy it after something breaks.
AppleCare+ does not cover lost earbuds. If you lost one, you pay the full replacement price of $69, $99, or $79. The plan only covers physical damage or defects, not loss or theft. You can check whether you have AppleCare+ by opening the Settings app on your iPhone, going to General, then About, and scrolling to see if it lists an active plan.
If your AirPods are still under the standard one-year warranty from Apple and the earbud stopped working on its own (not from damage), Apple will replace it for free. Warranty coverage does not include accidental damage, water damage, or battery degradation from normal use.
How to pair a replacement earbud to your case
Place the new earbud in the charging case and close the lid. Wait about 15 seconds. Open the case near your iPhone or iPad, and a pairing screen will appear automatically. Tap "Connect" and the earbud will pair to your existing case and device. The whole process takes less than a minute.
If the pairing screen does not appear, open the Settings app on your iPhone, go to Bluetooth, and look for your AirPods in the list. Tap them, then tap "Forget This Device." Close the case, wait 10 seconds, then open it again near your iPhone. The pairing screen should appear this time.
Your replacement earbud will have the same name as your original pair in Bluetooth settings. You do not need to rename it or change any settings. It will sync audio balance, noise control preferences, and other settings from your existing earbud automatically.
Comparing replacement costs across models
The cost of replacing a single piece varies by model. Standard AirPods are the least expensive to replace individually, while AirPods Pro and AirPods Max cost more per piece. If you need to replace both an earbud and a case, the combined cost may be close to or less than buying a new pair, depending on which model you own.
| Model | Single Earbud | Charging Case | Both Earbud + Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods (3rd generation) | $69 | $39 | $108 |
| AirPods Pro (2nd generation) | $99 | $49 | $148 |
| AirPods Max | $79 per ear cup | $79 | $237 for both cups + case |
A new pair of standard AirPods costs $129, so replacing both pieces individually ($108) is slightly cheaper. For AirPods Pro, a new pair costs $249, making individual replacement ($148) significantly less expensive. For AirPods Max, replacing both ear cups and the case ($237) is still less than buying a new set, which costs $549.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a replacement AirPod without the case?
Yes. Apple sells individual earbuds separately from cases. You only need to buy what you actually lost. If you still have your charging case, you only buy the earbud. If you lost the case but have both earbuds, you only buy the case.
Will a replacement AirPod work with my old one?
Yes. A new earbud pairs to your existing case and syncs all settings from your old earbud automatically. You do not need to reconfigure anything. They will work together as a matched pair when ready after pairing.
Is there a warranty on replacement AirPods?
Replacement AirPods come with a one-year limited warranty from Apple, the same as original pairs. The warranty covers defects and malfunctions but not accidental damage, water damage, or loss. AppleCare+ extends coverage to accidental damage if you purchase it at the time of replacement.
What if my AirPods are out of warranty and I damaged one?
You pay the full replacement price: $69 for standard AirPods, $99 for AirPods Pro, or $79 for AirPods Max ear cups. AppleCare+ cannot be purchased after damage occurs. Your only option is to buy the replacement earbud at full price or buy a new pair if that is cheaper.
Do prices ever go on sale for replacement AirPods?
Apple does not discount individual replacement earbuds or cases. Major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon occasionally run sales on new AirPods pairs, but replacement parts stay at the official price. Refurbished replacement earbuds from Apple's refurbished store may be slightly cheaper, but availability varies.