You’re staring at an empty slot in your charging case. It’s a sinking feeling, right? Maybe it fell out during a morning jog or vanished into the "black hole" between your car seats. Whatever happened, you're now wondering exactly how much does a replacement airpod cost without having to buy a whole new set.
Honestly, the price depends heavily on whether you’re holding the latest AirPods Pro 3 or an older pair of 2nd Gen buds. It also matters if you were smart enough (or lucky enough) to snag AppleCare+ when you first bought them.
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The Out-of-Pocket Reality (No AppleCare+)
If you don’t have extra coverage, Apple treats a lost or broken bud as a "service" purchase. It isn't cheap. For the most common models like the AirPods Pro (2nd and 3rd Generation), replacing a single lost earbud typically runs you $89.
If you lost the charging case instead? That’s often more expensive than the bud itself. A replacement MagSafe case for the Pro models hits the $99 mark.
For the standard AirPods 4 or AirPods 3, you’re looking at roughly $69 for a single earbud. It’s a bit of a sting, considering a brand-new set of AirPods 4 starts around $129. When you do the math, losing both buds and the case individually would cost you way more than just buying a retail box.
2026 Pricing Breakdown by Model
- AirPods Pro 3 / Pro 2: $89 per bud | $99 for the case.
- AirPods 4 (ANC): $69 per bud | $79 for the case.
- AirPods 4 (Standard): $69 per bud | $59 for the case.
- AirPods Max: This one is tricky. Apple doesn't usually "replace" a single side of the Max. You're looking at a repair fee that varies, but it's often north of $299 if the damage is significant.
- AirPods 2nd Gen: These are getting rare, but Apple still quotes about $69 for a replacement bud.
The AppleCare+ Savior
If you have AppleCare+, the conversation changes entirely. Sorta.
Here’s the catch: AppleCare+ does not cover loss or theft for AirPods. I know, it’s annoying. If the AirPod is simply gone, you pay the full out-of-warranty prices mentioned above.
However, if you still have the AirPod but it’s crushed, water-damaged, or the battery has given up the ghost, AppleCare+ is a lifesaver. You pay a flat $29 accidental damage fee. That covers the bud, the case, or both if they were damaged in the same incident.
Is it Better to Buy Refurbished?
You've probably seen sites like TheRightOne or ReCellExchange popping up in your search results. These third-party sellers specialize in "breaking down" authentic sets to sell individual pieces.
You can often find a single AirPods Pro 2 bud for around $75 to $80 on these sites. Is it a massive saving? Not really—maybe ten bucks. But these shops often have stock for older generations that Apple might be phasing out of their immediate Genius Bar inventory.
Just be careful. Fake AirPods are everywhere. If a price looks too good to be true—like a Pro 3 bud for $30—it's 100% a knockoff that won't pair with your original set. Your iPhone is smart enough to detect "mismatched" hardware, and you'll end up with a persistent "Cannot Verify AirPods" pop-up.
How to Actually Get the Replacement
Don't just wander into an Apple Store expecting to buy a bud off the shelf. They don't keep them in retail packaging behind the counter.
- Find your Serial Number: It’s on the underside of the charging case lid or in your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings.
- Use the Support App: Open the "Apple Support" app, select your AirPods, and choose "Lost or Missing AirPod."
- Chat or Visit: You can have the replacement mailed to you (Apple will put a temporary hold on your credit card for the full value) or make a Genius Bar appointment.
If you go the mail-in route, Apple uses "Express Replacement Service" for AppleCare+ holders. They send you the new part first, then you send the broken one back. If you lost it, you just pay the flat fee and they ship it out.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you drop $90, try these three things. Seriously.
- Check "Find My" one last time: In 2026, the "Precision Finding" on the Pro 3 and AirPods 4 is scary accurate. If it’s in your house, you will find it.
- Verify your Credit Card Benefits: Many premium cards (like Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire) offer "Purchase Protection" for 90 days after a purchase. If you bought your AirPods recently and lost one, your bank might actually cut you a check for the replacement cost.
- Consider the Battery Life: If your AirPods are more than two years old, the battery in your remaining bud is likely degraded. Paying $89 for one new bud might result in an annoying imbalance where one side lasts 6 hours and the other dies in 3. In that case, it’s usually smarter to trade in the remaining parts and buy a new set.
Go to the official Apple Support Get an Estimate tool to see the live pricing for your specific zip code, as taxes and shipping can tack on an extra $10 to $15.