AirPods Trade In Value: How Much Is Your Pair Worth?
Most people upgrade their AirPods the same way they upgrade their phone. They buy the new model, throw the old ones in a case, and forget about them. A year later, those old AirPods are still sitting in a drawer somewhere, slowly losing value.
Used AirPods can still have trade-in value. The AirPods trade-in value depends on the model, condition, and whether you still have the original charging case. Checking the current offer gives you a real number to compare with the value of keeping them as a backup.
We pulled live pricing data from the SmartphonesPLUS feed to show you exactly what every current AirPods model is worth today. Whether you have a pair of standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, or AirPods Max, the tables below give you a clear starting point. The AirPods trade-in value for each model is shown in Good and Fair condition so you can see exactly how much condition affects the offer.
The trade-in values in this article are pulled from the SmartphonesPLUS live pricing feed and reflect offers available at the time of writing. Prices update regularly, so your actual offer may differ.
AirPods Trade-In Value by Model
The tables below show Good and Fair condition offers for each AirPods model. All prices shown include the charging case where applicable. AirPods Max prices are shown with and without the Smart Case.
AirPods (Standard Models)
| Model | Good Condition | Fair Condition |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods (4th Gen) | $13 | $7 |
| AirPods (4th Gen) with ANC | $22 | $6 |
| AirPods (3rd Gen) | $7 | $5 |
AirPods Pro
| Model | Good Condition | Fair Condition |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro (3rd Gen) | $26 | $11 |
| AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) | $21 | $6 |
| AirPods Pro (1st Gen) | $15 | Not available |
AirPods Max
| Model | Good with Case | Good without Case |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods Max 2 | $206 | $170 |
| AirPods Max (USB-C) | $136 | $63 |
| AirPods Max (Lightning) | $119 | $53 |
What Affects Your AirPods Trade-In Value
The numbers in the tables above are a starting point, but your actual offer will depend on a few specific factors. Understanding these will help you get the most accurate quote and avoid any surprises.
Condition
Condition is one of the biggest factors in your offer. Good condition means the earbuds and case are fully functional with no significant cosmetic damage. Fair condition covers devices that work correctly but show visible wear like scratches, scuffs, or discoloration.
The difference between Good and Fair can be meaningful. The live table shows the current gap for AirPods Pro 3 and the other available models. Describe the condition accurately so your quote matches the pair you plan to send.
The Charging Case
For standard AirPods and AirPods Pro, the charging case is required in most cases for a SmartphonesPLUS offer. If you have lost the case, you may not be able to get a cash offer through this trade-in program. Keep that in mind when comparing what used AirPods are worth.
For AirPods Max, the Smart Case is optional, but it does affect the price. The tables above show both options so you can see the exact difference for your model.
Battery Performance
AirPods batteries hold less charge as they get older. SoundGuys explains that every charging cycle reduces a small amount of battery capacity. Over time, you may notice shorter listening sessions or more frequent charging.
A weak battery doesn’t automatically tell you what your final offer will be. When requesting a quote, describe any charging or playback problems honestly. This helps SmartphonesPLUS place the AirPods in the correct condition category.
How AirPods Pro Models Compare
The AirPods Pro trade-in prices in the table show how the three generations compare today. Newer models generally receive higher offers, but condition can make a big difference within the same generation.
AirPods Pro 3 Has the Highest Current Offer
AirPods Pro 3 is the newest model in the table, so it currently has the highest offer in the Pro lineup. There is also a noticeable difference between Good and Fair condition.
If your AirPods work properly and have only light wear, make sure you select the condition that best matches them. Choosing Fair condition when they qualify as Good could lower your offer.
AirPods Pro 2 Still Has Trade-In Value
AirPods Pro 2 sits between the newest and oldest models. Its current offer is lower than AirPods Pro 3, but it may still be worth checking if the earbuds are sitting unused.
When you compare used AirPods worth across the Pro lineup, the table makes it easy to see how both age and condition affect the current price.
First-Generation AirPods Pro
The first-generation AirPods Pro has the lowest current offer in this group. The live feed only lists a Good-condition option, so there is no Fair-condition price to compare.
That doesn’t mean you need to sell immediately. Checking the AirPods Pro trade-in offer simply gives you a real number. You can then decide whether the cash would be more useful than keeping the earbuds as a backup. Your AirPods trade-in value may change as the model gets older and newer versions become available.
AirPods Max Holds the Highest Value
AirPods Max started at a much higher price than Apple’s earbuds, so it also receives the highest offers in the table. The original Lightning model and the 2024 USB-C model both started at $549.
The USB-C Model Is Not AirPods Max 2
Apple updated the original AirPods Max with USB-C charging and new colors in September 2024. It was still part of the first AirPods Max generation and launched at $549. AirPods Max 2 arrived in March 2026 with the H2 chip and the same $549 starting price.
This distinction matters when selecting your model. If your AirPods Max has USB-C, check whether you have the 2024 update or the newer AirPods Max 2. Choosing the wrong version could give you an inaccurate quote.
What Are Used AirPods Worth in the Max Lineup?
The live table shows the current Good-condition offer for each version. AirPods Max 2 has the highest offer, followed by the USB-C and Lightning models.
Check for the Smart Case
The Smart Case also affects the offer. The live table shows the current difference with and without the case for each AirPods Max model.
Before requesting a quote, check your drawers, travel bags, and storage boxes for the case. Finding it could increase the amount you receive without requiring any extra work.
When to Check Your AirPods Value
There is no single month that guarantees the highest AirPods trade-in value. Offers can change as a model gets older, buyer demand shifts, or Apple releases a new generation.
If you no longer use your pair, checking the current sell AirPods offer gives you a real number to consider. You can compare that offer with the value of keeping the AirPods as a backup.
If you want to sell AirPods, waiting usually will not increase their value. Keeping them may make sense if they still work well and would save you from buying another pair later.
The right choice depends on how useful the AirPods are to you. Use the live table as a starting point, then check the AirPods trade-in value again when you are ready to make a decision.
AirPods don’t follow phone depreciation data exactly, so the live table above is the most reliable way to check their current value.
AirPods are still popular. Counterpoint Research found that they held 35% of the global market in early 2026. That doesn’t mean every pair will get a high offer, but it helps explain why used models can still have value.
The same general pattern shows up when you look at how phone trade-in values drop over time, even though AirPods depreciate on their own curve.
Decide What to Do With Your Old AirPods
Your AirPods trade-in value depends on the model, condition, and whether you still have the charging case or Smart Case. Newer models generally receive higher offers, but even an older pair may be worth checking if you no longer use it.
If you are checking an AirPods Pro trade-in offer, make sure you select the correct generation. AirPods Pro models look similar, so checking the model number can help you avoid choosing the wrong one.
The live tables above give you a useful starting point. From there, you can request a quote for your exact pair and decide whether selling or keeping them makes more sense for you. Head to SmartphonesPLUS to check your current offer.
FAQs About AirPods Trade-In Value
What is the current AirPods trade-in value for AirPods Pro?
The AirPods Pro trade-in offer depends on the generation and condition. AirPods Pro 3 currently has the highest offer in the Pro table, followed by AirPods Pro 2 and the first-generation model. Check the live prices above for the latest amounts.
Do I need the charging case to sell AirPods?
Yes. SmartphonesPLUS requires the charging case when you sell AirPods or AirPods Pro. The Smart Case is optional for AirPods Max, but including it may increase your offer.
How much are used AirPods worth without the case?
Standard AirPods and AirPods Pro cannot be traded in through SmartphonesPLUS without their charging case. AirPods Max can be traded in without the Smart Case, but the live table shows that leaving it out lowers the offer.
Does battery performance affect the offer?
Battery or charging problems may affect the condition assessment. Describe any problems honestly when requesting your quote so the AirPods can be placed in the correct condition category.
Should I sell my old AirPods or keep them as a backup?
It depends on whether you still use them. If they are useful as a backup, keeping them could save you from buying another pair. If they have been sitting untouched for months, checking the current offer can help you decide whether the cash would be more useful.
