You’re standing in the middle of a parking lot, staring at the empty space where your left earbud used to be. Or maybe you just pulled your charging case out of the washer. It happens to the best of us. Honestly, it’s one of those sinking-gut moments where you realize your $250 investment just became a $250 paperweight—unless you fork over even more cash.
But here is the thing about airpods pro replacement cost that catches everyone off guard: it isn’t a flat rate. Depending on whether you have AppleCare+, how old your buds are, or if you’re just dealing with a "tired" battery, the price tag swings wildly. You might pay $29. You might pay $200.
Let’s get into the weeds of what this actually costs in 2026.
The "Ouch" Factor: Out-of-Warranty Prices
If you didn’t buy the extra protection, prepare to open your wallet. Apple treats the AirPods Pro as three separate products: the left bud, the right bud, and the case. If you lose one earbud, Apple doesn't just "fix" it. They sell you a new one.
As of right now, the airpods pro replacement cost for a single lost or damaged earbud is generally $89. That’s per earbud. If you managed to lose both but kept the case, you’re looking at $178. At that point, you’re dangerously close to the price of a brand-new set on sale at Costco or Amazon.
The case is another story. If you need a new MagSafe charging case for the AirPods Pro (2nd or 3rd Gen), Apple usually charges around $99.
Wait. Do the math.
Two earbuds ($178) plus a case ($99) equals $277. That is literally more than the retail price of a brand-new, sealed box. It’s a classic tech trap. If you’ve lost the whole kit and kaboodle, don't even bother with individual replacements. Just go buy a new pair.
The Battery Loophole
There is a slight silvering lining if your buds are just... dying. Lithium-ion batteries don't last forever. After two years of daily Zoom calls and gym sessions, your Pro’s might only last 20 minutes. This is "Battery Service."
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- Each AirPod: $49
- Charging Case: $49
It’s cheaper than a full replacement, but it’s still $150 to refresh the whole set. Most people I know just decide to upgrade to the latest model once the battery hits the skids. It’s hard to justify spending $100+ on old tech.
Why AppleCare+ Is Actually a No-Brainer
I’m usually the first person to decline the extended warranty at the register. It feels like a scam. But for AirPods? It’s basically a necessity because these things are essentially disposable. You can’t open them. You can’t DIY a battery swap without a heat gun and a prayer.
If you have AppleCare+, the airpods pro replacement cost drops to a flat $29 "incident fee."
This covers accidental damage. You stepped on it? $29. The dog chewed it? $29. However—and this is a huge "however"—it does not cover loss or theft. If that earbud is at the bottom of a storm drain, AppleCare+ won't help you. You have to actually have the broken pieces to hand over to the Genius Bar to get the $29 rate.
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Third-Party Sellers and the Refurbished Wild West
You’ll see them all over eBay and specialized sites like "The Right One" or "Therightpod." They sell individual, genuine AirPods Pro earbuds for about $65 to $80.
It’s tempting.
I’ve seen plenty of people go this route to save twenty bucks. Just be careful. Pairing a replacement earbud isn’t always seamless. You have to put the new bud in your old case, charge them for about an hour, and then hold the setup button until the light flashes amber then white. If the "new" bud is a different firmware version or—heaven forbid—a convincing fake, it’ll never sync.
Also, verify the generation. A 1st Gen Pro earbud will not work with a 2nd Gen Pro case. They look almost identical, but the internals are worlds apart.
The Ear Tip "Repair"
Before you go spending $90 because your noise cancellation feels "off," check the silicone tips.
Sometimes the mesh inside the tip gets clogged with... well, earwax. Or the silicone loses its seal. Apple sells a two-set pack of tips for $9. It sounds silly, but I've seen people "fix" their $250 headphones with a $9 piece of rubber. It’s the cheapest airpods pro replacement cost you’ll ever find.
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What You Should Do Right Now
If you're staring at a broken or missing AirPod, don't just walk into the Apple Store and hand over your credit card.
First, check your coverage. Go to the "Find My" app or check your settings on your iPhone under "AirPods" to see if you have active AppleCare+. You might have forgotten you bought it.
Second, if you're out of warranty and need more than one piece (say, a bud and a case), stop. Check the current price for a new set. Retailers often drop the AirPods Pro 2 or 3 to $189 or $199 during sales. Paying Apple $188 for two replacement parts is a bad move when you could have a fresh warranty and a brand-new battery for ten dollars more.
If you only need one earbud and you're broke, the refurbished market is okay, but only if the seller has a rock-solid return policy. Otherwise, you’re just gambling $70 on a piece of plastic that might not even talk to your phone.
Your next steps: Open the Settings app on your iPhone, tap your AirPods name, and scroll down to "Coverage." If it says "Expired," and you only need one earbud, book a Genius Bar appointment or use the Apple Support app to mail it in. If you need two or more components, start hunting for a sale on a new pair instead.