Your desk drawer is likely a graveyard for tiny, white plastic stems. We’ve all been there. You upgraded to the Pros because the noise canceling sounded life-changing, or maybe you snagged the AirPods 4 because your Gen 2 batteries finally hit that point where they die after a twenty-minute phone call. Now, those old buds are just sitting there, losing value every single day. Honestly, it’s kind of a waste. Most people assume that because AirPods are "consumable" tech with non-replaceable batteries, they’re essentially worthless once they’ve been used for a year or two. That is a massive misconception.
The secondary market for used audio gear is actually booming. Whether you’re looking to offset the cost of the newest Max headphones or you just want enough credit to buy a decent iPhone case, knowing how to trade in old AirPods effectively can save you a surprising amount of cash. But you have to be smart about it. Apple isn't always the best place to go. In fact, if your buds are a little beat up, Apple might just offer to "recycle" them for free. Translation: they get the raw materials, and you get zero dollars.
Let’s talk about how this actually works in the real world.
Where the Money Actually Is
If you walk into an Apple Store today, the experience is seamless. You hand them the case, they run a serial number, and you get a gift card. It’s easy. But it’s also usually the lowest payout you’ll find. Apple’s trade-in program is designed for convenience, not for maximizing your profit. For example, a pair of first-generation AirPods Pro might only net you a fraction of what a dedicated buyback site like Back Market or Gazelle would offer.
Why the discrepancy? Third-party resellers are hungrier. They have sophisticated refurbishment processes where they can ultrasonically clean the mesh, test the frequency response, and flip them to a student who doesn't mind a few scratches on the charging case.
You should also look at Best Buy. They have a surprisingly robust trade-in portal. Sometimes, especially during "Member Deals" weeks, they’ll boost the trade-in value of Apple products specifically to get you to buy your next pair from them. It’s a loss-leader strategy. You get $50 for your old crusty buds, and they get you to spend $250 on the latest model. Everyone wins, sort of.
Then there’s the "peer-to-peer" route. eBay and Swappa. This is where you’ll get the absolute most money, but it’s a headache. You have to take photos. You have to deal with people asking if they’re "authentic" (because the market is flooded with fakes). You have to ship them. If you have the patience, Swappa is great because they verify listings, which cuts down on the scammers who plague Facebook Marketplace.
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The "Ick" Factor and Refurbishment reality
Let’s be real for a second. Selling something that has been inside your ear canal feels a little weird. This is the biggest hurdle for the trade-in market. When you trade in old AirPods to a professional company, they don't just wipe them with a damp cloth.
Companies like Reebelo or Decluttr use medical-grade cleaning agents. They often replace the silicone tips entirely. If the battery is completely shot—meaning it holds less than 80% of its original capacity—most big-box trade-in programs will reject them or drop the value to near zero. This is because opening an AirPod is a nightmare. It involves heat guns and precision cutting, and they’re almost never the same once they’ve been cracked open. If your battery life is toast, you’re better off looking at specialized "recycling for credit" programs rather than standard trade-ins.
Decoding the Value: What Are Yours Worth?
The value of your tech drops the second a new version is announced. It’s predictable.
If you have the AirPods Max, you’re in the best position. Because they have larger batteries and a more "premium" status, they hold their value way better than the tiny buds. You might still get $200+ for a well-maintained pair of Maxs.
With the standard buds, it's a sliding scale:
- AirPods Pro (2nd Gen): Still high demand. If you have the USB-C version, you’re golden.
- AirPods 3: These are the "middle child." They sell okay, but many people prefer the Pro's tips or the cheapness of the Gen 2.
- AirPods 1 & 2: Honestly? You’re looking at $10 to $25. At this point, they’re basically vintage tech.
One thing people forget is the case. Did you lose the left earbud? Don't throw the rest away! You can actually trade in just the charging case or individual buds on sites like The Replacement Remotes or even eBay. There is a huge market for "orphaned" AirPods parts because people lose theirs on the subway every single day.
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Does the Box Matter?
In a word: No.
When you trade in old AirPods to a professional buyback site, they don't care about the original packaging. It’s just extra weight for them to recycle. Don’t waste your time hunting through your closet for that square white box. What does matter is the charging cable. If you include an original Apple Lightning or USB-C cable, some places might give you an extra $5. But usually, it’s just about the hardware itself.
The Counterfeit Problem Is Ruining Everything
Here is a nuance that most "guides" skip. The market for fake AirPods is insane. Some "Super-Clones" even show up correctly in the iOS battery widget and have working serial numbers that pass Apple’s own website check.
Because of this, some trade-in vendors have become incredibly picky. If you try to trade in a pair and they suspect they’re fake, they won't just reject the trade—they might keep the device and refuse to pay you. It’s a fraud prevention measure. If you bought your AirPods from a random guy on Craigslist three years ago, don't be surprised if a trade-in site flags them as "non-genuine."
Always check your own serial number, but more importantly, look at the physical sensors. On real AirPods, the sensors are perfectly flush. On fakes, there’s often a tiny lip or a slight misalignment. Professional buyers see thousands of these; they know what to look for.
Preparing Your Buds for Their New Home
Before you ship them off, you have to do more than just clean the earwax out (though please, for the love of the person inspecting them, do that).
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You must "Find My" unpair them. This is the #1 reason trade-ins get delayed. If the AirPods are still linked to your Apple ID, the company can't resell them. They are essentially "Activation Locked," just like an iPhone.
Go into your Bluetooth settings, hit the "i" next to your AirPods, and select "Forget This Device." Then, go into the Find My app and remove them from your devices list. If you don't do this, the trade-in company will email you, you’ll have to do it remotely, and your payment will be delayed by a week. It’s a pain.
When to Walk Away (And Just Recycle)
Sometimes, the trade-in isn't worth the postage.
If your AirPods have been through the laundry, they might still work, but they’re ticking time bombs. Internal corrosion eventually wins. Most honest trade-in programs ask if there’s water damage. If you lie, they’ll find out when they open the case or check the internal indicators, and they’ll adjust your quote to $0.
If your buds are physically cracked, have horrific battery life (under 1 hour), or are the very first generation, just recycle them. Apple will take them back for free and ensure the lithium-ion batteries don't end up in a landfill where they can cause fires. It’s the responsible move when the monetary value has evaporated.
Real-World Strategy: Timing the Market
The best time to trade in is about two weeks before the September Apple Event. That’s when prices are highest. Once the new models are on stage and Tim Cook is talking about "the best AirPods we’ve ever created," the trade-in value of your current pair drops by about 15-20% instantly.
If you missed that window, the second-best time is right now. Tech doesn't get more valuable as it sits in your drawer. The batteries are chemically degrading even if you aren't using them.
Next Steps for Your Trade-In
- Check your model number: Go to Settings > Bluetooth > [Your AirPods] > About. Look up that model number to see exactly which generation you have.
- Get three quotes: Don't just trust Apple. Spend five minutes checking Decluttr, Back Market, and Best Buy. The difference can be as much as $40.
- Sanitize them: Use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe. Avoid the mesh—you don't want liquid getting inside the driver.
- Factory Reset: Put the buds in the case, keep the lid open, and hold the button on the back for 15 seconds until the light flashes amber, then white.
- Unpair from iCloud: Ensure they are gone from your "Find My" list so the next owner can actually use them.