It’s hard enough to agree to purchase Apple AirPods if there are any so many cheaper alternatives. But to pay an additional $ 40 to get it with a wireless charging case? Or to pay someone else $ 79 to buy this case separately? No, all No. No to Ah to No, no, no. (Sorry, I was just jamming with Meghan Trainor.)
However, wireless charging is fantastic. My phone does it. My watch does it. I am spoiled and I really want it for my AirPods. Do I really have to give Apple more money?
Only one of these AirPods cases for wireless charging is made by Apple. The others all cost $ 30 or less.
Rick Broida / CNET
Not me. I found three third-party alternatives, all of which cost between $ 20 and $ 30. I’ve only done basic tests with them, so I can’t speak with their long-term reliability. However, if you’ve lost your case and need a replacement, or want to switch to a sweet, sweet wireless store, these are significantly cheaper than anything Apple offers.
Continue reading: The best AirPods accessories for 2020
Don’t have a Qi charger yet? There are millions out there, but don’t pay more than $ 10. For example, here is one Letscom Qi charging station for $ 9.99. It will absolutely do the job.
OK, on to the loading cases! If you’ve found one that you like better, be sure to call them in the comments.
Blandstrs
Although this product is sold by a company called Blandstrs, it has no significant branding. There is nothing to be found in any other AirPod case: multiple charge status LEDs. There are three of them right on the front; They glow red, blue or green, depending on how much juice is left in the casing. Yes, please!
Other simple but elegant design features: a flat bottom that allows the case to stand up and grooved sides that make it less slippery. It’s only a hair larger than Apple’s case and therefore still perfectly pocket-friendly.
Inside is a 450 mAh battery that, according to the seller, charges up to five full AirPods. (Apple doesn’t state the battery size in the standard case, but in a Wikipedia article it is just under 400 mAh.) Although it’s the cheapest, it’s my favorite among the three third-party AirPods chargers.
TBGHz
If you are looking for a case that is practically indistinguishable from Apple, look no further. The only physical difference here is the pairing button, which is located on the front instead of on the back. However, it also contains a slightly larger 450 mAh battery that is suitable for at least five AirPods charging.
Like Apple’s case, it is round and slippery and cannot stand upright. Like the Blandstr case, it arrives in a box without a trademark. The only thing that distinguishes it as “TBGHz A206” is the seller’s product page. This is by no means a deal breaker, just something to consider. To me, this is proof that Apple’s $ 80 wireless charger is overpriced.
NeotrixQI
Here’s another approach: a case for your existing case. Just slide the latter into the former and you’re good to go. In theory, this should be a more reliable option since you don’t have to worry about the individual AirPods not charging properly. The original case will continue to take care of it. Instead, the “shell” ‘s only job is to power your current case. This happens when you put it on a Qi charger.
The downside, of course, is that it offers more volume: the A5-W is probably 50% larger than Apple’s. Fortunately, it still fits neatly in a pocket. It’s just not that adorable. And remember, this is not a substitute. It doesn’t have its own battery. It’s just a case that extends Apple’s case with wireless charging features.
Typically, it costs $ 28, but at the moment it’s selling for $ 24.77.
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