Can You Use an 18W Charger on AirPods?

When you open up an AirPods box for the first time, you won’t find a charger in the box. That’s because Apple assumes that you already have a charger for the Apple product that you plan to use with your AirPods. If you have an 18W charger and are wondering if they’re safe to use with your AirPods, there’s no need to worry. You can use an 18W charger for your AirPods. 

Read on to learn more about using an 18W charger with your AirPods and what to do if your AirPods won’t charge. 

What Charger Wattage is Best for AirPods?

Apple suggests using 10W and 12W USB power adapters to charge Apple devices like AirPods. For best results, use the cable that came with your AirPods when connecting them to a charger. 

Apple does make larger wattage chargers. However, the 18W-45W chargers are more appropriate for charging iPads and MacBooks. 

Can You Use an 18W Charger on AirPods?

While Apple suggests a 10W-12W charger for your AirPods, you can also charge them with an 18W charger (or higher).

One of the nice things about using multiple Apple devices is that you can use their chargers with more than one device. While you shouldn’t charge high-wattage devices with low-wattage chargers, you can charge low-wattage devices with higher-wattage chargers. 

A higher wattage charger can supply up to the amount of current that your device needs. You don’t have to worry that it will push more current through to your device than your device needs. This is true whether you’re using an “intelligent” newer charger (USB-3.1 or higher) or an older version.

How Long Does it Take to Charge AirPods with an 18W Charger?

AirPods usually require about 20 minutes to charge with an 18W charger.

Will AirPods Charge Faster with an 18W Charger?

You should not expect your AirPods to charge faster with a larger wattage charger because the AirPods will only pull the amount of power that it needs, not more. 

Will Using an 18W Charger Damage My AirPods?

Your AirPods will only take the amount of power that it needs from the charger. Thus, there’s no need to worry about adverse consequences like decreasing your battery life. Your charger’s power rating won’t affect your battery life or power consumption.  

Can You Use a Non-Apple Charger with AirPods?

You should be able to use a non-Apple charger to charge your AirPods as long as they are rated to work with Apple devices. If they’re not rated for Apple and you’re worried about a malfunction that could damage your AirPods, it’s best to use an Apple-branded charger since they monitor energy transfer.

What Should I Use to Charge My AirPods?

Apple suggests the following for charging AirPods:

• AirPods or AirPods Pro: A Lightning to USB or Lightning to USB-C cable and USB power adapter or Qi-compatible charger
• AirPods Max: Lightning to USB or Lightning to USB-C cable and USB power adapter

What’s The Difference Between Lightning to USB and Lightning to USB-C Cables?

USB-C cables can usually charge your device 70% faster than regular USB cables.

Can I Charge My AirPods With My MacBook?

If you don’t have a charger, it’s possible to connect your AirPods to your MacBook to charge it. There aren’t any adverse effects of doing so.

How Can You Know If Your AirPods Are Fully Charged?

The light on your case will tell you if your AirPods are fully charged. If the light is red or amber, they’re not fully charged. However, when the light turns green, it means that your AirPods are fully charged. 

What Should I Do if My AirPods Won’t Charge?

If you followed the AirPod charging directions and they won’t charge, it’s not because you have been using a charger with too much wattage. Instead, it’s probably because either your cables aren’t connected well, or your battery isn’t holding a charge long enough anymore.

1. Check Your Connections

You should make sure that your AirPods charging case is connected to the cable and that the cable is connected to the USB power adapter. Also, check to make sure you connect the power adapter to the power outlet. 

With a Qi-compatible charger, you should make sure that your AirPods are making contact with the charger and that the cable is connected to both the charger and the power adapter. You should also make sure the power adapter is plugged into your power outlet.

2. Try to Charge Your AirPods

• AirPods or AirPods Pro: Place them in their charging case, close the lid, and charge with a cable and power adapter for at least 15 minutes. If you’re using a Qi-compatible charger, place the case with the status light facing up and reposition it if the light doesn’t turn on for a few seconds. If it still won’t charge, try changing out the cable.
• AirPods Max: Place them in their charging case, close the lid, and charge with a cable and power adapter for at least 5 minutes.

3. Check Your Charge Status Again

• AirPods or AirPods Pro: Open the case lid while your AirPods are inside and hold it close to your iOS device. You’ll see a pop-up on your device indicating battery charge.
• AirPods Max: Open your Smart Case with your AirPods inside and hold it close to your iOS device. You should see a pop-up on your device indicating battery charge.

4. Check for Software Updates

If you haven’t used your AirPods in a while, they may not be working because you haven’t downloaded the latest software update or operating system for your device.

5. Try Resetting Your AirPods

If nothing else seems to work, you can always try a factory reset with your AirPods as the last resort. 

6. Contact Apple

If your AirPods won’t charge, the most likely culprit is a bad battery. If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps with no luck, it might be time to contact Apple or get new AirPods.

Final Thoughts on Using an 18W Charger for AirPods

You can certainly charge AirPods with an 18W charger. However, you shouldn’t expect them to charge any faster. Luckily, an 18W charger won’t cause any harm to your AirPods either. 

AirPods don’t come with a charger, and they also don’t come with very much information either. Luckily, we have plenty of answers to your AirPods questions.