AirPods 4 do not come with a charger in the box

Apple stopped including chargers with AirPods 4. The box contains only the earbuds themselves, a Lightning charging case, and documentation. If you need to charge the case, you will have to use a charger you already own or purchase one separately.

This is part of a broader shift at Apple — the company removed chargers from iPhone boxes starting with the iPhone 12 in 2020, and has applied the same logic to AirPods. The reasoning Apple gives is environmental: fewer chargers mean less packaging waste and lower shipping weight. Whether you agree with that reasoning or not, the practical result is the same: you need your own charger.

Key Takeaways

  • The AirPods 4 box includes only the earbuds, the Lightning charging case, and a USB-C to Lightning cable — no power adapter.
  • You can charge the case using any USB-C power adapter rated for at least 5W, including chargers from iPhones, iPads, or Android devices.
  • If you have an older Apple charger with a USB-A port, you will need a separate USB-C to USB-A cable or adapter to use it with AirPods 4.
  • The AirPods 4 case holds enough charge for multiple full charges of the earbuds, so you do not need to charge it every day if you charge the earbuds regularly.

What charger type the AirPods 4 case actually needs

The AirPods 4 charging case uses USB-C, not the older Lightning connector. This matters because it means you have more charger options than you might think. Any USB-C power adapter will work — you do not need an Apple-branded one.

The minimum power requirement is 5W, which is the standard for most phone chargers made in the last five years. A 20W charger, a 30W charger, or even a 100W charger will all work fine; the case will only draw what it needs. If you have a USB-C charger sitting in a drawer from an Android phone, a tablet, or a laptop, that charger will charge your AirPods 4 case.

Apple does include a USB-C to Lightning cable in the box, but no power adapter. This cable lets you charge the case using any USB-C power source — a computer, a power bank, or a wall charger.

Chargers you probably already own that will work

Before you buy anything new, check what you have at home. If you own an iPhone 15 or newer, the charger that came with it (or one you bought separately) will work with AirPods 4. The same is true for any iPad Pro, iPad Air, or newer iPad mini — they all use USB-C.

If you have a MacBook, a recent Samsung phone, a Google Pixel, or most other modern devices, their chargers are USB-C and will work. Even many older Android chargers are USB-C now. The only chargers that will not work are the older USB-A chargers (the rectangular ones) that came with iPhones before the iPhone 15, unless you buy a separate USB-C to USB-A cable.

A practical approach: plug the USB-C to Lightning cable that comes with AirPods 4 into a charger you already use for something else, and see if it fits. If it does, you are done — no purchase needed.

If you need to buy a charger

If you do not have a USB-C charger at home, you have two straightforward options. The first is to buy a basic USB-C wall charger — a 20W model costs between $15 and $25 from most retailers and will charge the AirPods case in about an hour. You do not need anything fancy; the cheapest option that has decent reviews will work.

The second option is to buy a USB-C to USB-A cable and use an older charger you already own. This cable costs $8 to $15 and lets you plug the AirPods case into any USB-A charger. This is useful if you have a drawer full of old phone chargers and want to avoid buying something new.

Apple sells its own USB-C power adapters, but they cost more than third-party options and do not charge the AirPods case any faster. A $20 charger from another brand will do the same job.

How often you actually need to charge the case

The AirPods 4 case itself holds enough charge to fully recharge the earbuds about five times before the case needs charging. This means if you charge your earbuds every night, you might only charge the case once a week. Many people find they can go several days without plugging in the case at all.

This matters because it means you do not need a charger sitting on your nightstand or desk. You can charge the case whenever it is convenient — maybe once a week when you remember, or whenever you happen to have a USB-C charger nearby. The case will not drain if you leave it uncharged for a few days.

Wireless charging is not an option with AirPods 4

Unlike some earlier AirPods models, the AirPods 4 case does not support wireless charging. You must use a wired USB-C connection. This is a step backward from the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) and AirPods Max, both of which support wireless charging pads.

If wireless charging was important to you, this is worth knowing before you buy. If you already own a wireless charging pad, it will not work with AirPods 4. You will need to use the wired cable method described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my iPhone 14 charger with AirPods 4?

No. iPhone 14 and earlier models use Lightning chargers, not USB-C. The AirPods 4 case requires USB-C. You would need either a USB-C charger or a USB-C to USB-A cable paired with your old charger.

Will a fast charger damage the AirPods 4 case?

No. The case will only draw the power it needs, regardless of whether the charger is 5W or 100W. Using a fast charger is safe and will not harm the battery.

How long does it take to charge the AirPods 4 case from empty?

With a standard 5W charger, the case takes roughly one hour to fully charge. With a faster charger, it may be slightly quicker, but the difference is usually only 10 to 15 minutes.

Can I charge the AirPods 4 case with a power bank?

Yes, as long as the power bank has a USB-C port. Most modern power banks do. This is useful if you travel or spend time away from outlets.