Can You Replace Battery on Bluetooth Headphones?
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My only complaint with Bluetooth headphones is battery life. They are like a ticking time bomb and you know that eventually, you have to throw them away because of the diminishing battery life. That’s somewhat acceptable when you are using cheaper headsets, but what about the more expensive ones? Nobody wants to throw away their $200 dollar Bluetooth headset, simply because the battery’s dead, and with this guide, you won’t have to anymore.
Yes, you can replace the battery on your Bluetooth headphones. Some Bluetooth headphones come with swappable batteries that can be changed by removing a back panel. Others, however, require a more technical approach as you have to pry them open to make the swap.
In this article, I will discuss the ways you can change the batteries on different Bluetooth headphones along with a few exceptions. So without further ado, let’s get started.
How to replace the battery in Bluetooth headphones?
You will have to pry it open and look at the serial number of the battery. Note the necessary requirements (voltage) as you will need them when buying a new one online or at a local store. Now follow these steps to make the swap:
Note that making the changes requires specific tools such as a soldering iron kit, screwdrivers, and double-sided tape. There is a chance that you can damage the internal circuit. So if you have no prior experience, I highly recommend you get this done by a technician.
1. The battery is usually housed on the side with the USB charging port.
2. Remove the ear cushion. On some headphones, you may need to rotate it, but in others, you might have to pry it apart with a plastic prying tool.
3. You will now remove the plastic panel. Use a screwdriver to undo the screws on the panel and pry it open. Avoid using a screwdriver as it can damage the edges.
4. Once you locate the battery, use the soldering iron to detach it from the circuit board.
5. Take the replacement battery and solder it into the circuit. Note that when you are buying the replacement battery, make sure it has the same voltage as the old battery and fits into the headphone. The capacity does not matter.
6. Use a multimeter to see if everything is working or not.
7. Once everything is working fine, use double-sided tape to fix the battery in the headphone and prevent it from wobbling.
8. Replace the cover, screws, and headphone cushion.
9. Your Bluetooth headphones are good as new.
As I mentioned before, the task requires a bit of technical skill and special equipment, and I would not recommend you buy an entire repair kit, just to replace a battery. Your local repair shop will always have the necessary tools for the job.
I suggest you buy the replacement battery and hand them the device to make the swap. This way you are guaranteed a good battery, and not some shady older power cell the repair shop might keep in store. It only takes 10-15 minutes to make the swap, so grab a coffee and wait for a few minutes while it’s done.
How to extend the battery life of Bluetooth headphones?
In addition to changing the battery, you can also practice a few habits that will maximize the battery output of your Bluetooth headphones such as downloading music instead of streaming and more.
Contrary to popular opinion, changing the battery is not the only way to maximize the battery of your Bluetooth headphones. Follow these tips to get the most mileage out of your headphone battery:
1. Switch off noise cancellation – Noise cancellation consumes a lot of battery power. So if you are just a casual gamer or simply watching movies alone at home, there is no need for you to activate noise cancellation. Use it only when you are outside.
2. Avoid extreme temperatures – Direct sunlight or even extremely cold temperatures are detrimental to batteries in general. Avoid them wherever possible.
3. Don’t drop below 20% – Lithium batteries have charge cycles and going below 20%-40% consumes a single charge cycle. Batteries lose efficiency as more charge cycles are consumed. So even if you get replacement batteries, they will not last for long if you have a habit of draining them to a pulp. Always charge your headphones when they reach the 40% mark.
Overcharging is not possible with Lithium batteries so they will not be damaged even if you have plugged them for prolonged hours. But charging it to 100% every time is also damaging. The best charge range for a battery is between 40% and 90-95%.
Can Bluetooth earbuds battery be replaced?
Usually no, but there are a few exceptions. Unlike headphones, earbuds are comparatively small and require a great deal of expertise to perform the task.
Earbud covers are tightly sealed together. Forcefully removing them can damage the case in an irreparable way. Also, there is the question of the batteries themselves. Most of the power cells in an earbud are manufactured at the company. It is next to impossible to get batteries in those sizes in retail stores or even online.
However, companies are now manufacturing earbuds with replaceable battery packs. So, I got my hands on the Wireless Earbud and they are not half bad. They are quite similar to the PQ Earbuds Kickstarter campaign but are a lot cheaper.
The sound quality is a bit lacking, but at this price range, it’s acceptable. Also, the magnetic battery packs tend to fall off when you are running, so I will not recommend them for outdoor activities. A slow walk to a relaxed bus ride is acceptable. But anything more than a job, and you risk losing the batteries.
F.A.Q.
Can I replace a 400mAh Bluetooth battery with a 1000mAh battery?
Yes, you can replace a 400mAh Bluetooth battery with a 1000mAh battery.
Nonetheless, you can go beyond 1000 to even 2000mAh capacity. However, it depends on a few specific factors, for instance:
1. Make sure there is enough space for the battery. Use a ruler to measure the old one and look for similar measurements when you are buying online.
2. The voltage rating is the same as the old battery, otherwise, you could damage the circuit.
Where to replace a Skullcandy Bluetooth headset battery?
The best way to replace a Skullcandy Bluetooth headset battery is to find a technician who specializes in the job.
Skullcandy headphones are usually fragile and a bit of careless tinkering can severely damage them. I strongly recommend you not try to DIY.
How long do wireless Bluetooth headphones last before their batteries need to be changed?
Assuming the components used in making the headphone were high-quality materials, the battery lasts up to 10,000 charge cycles.
However, it depends on the manufacturer, build quality, overall usage, charging patterns, and more. They are usually good for 2-3 years on moderate usage after which their efficiency begins to fall dramatically.
In case you are wondering how long they last on a single charge, it depends on:
1. The volume at which you are listening to music.
2. The overall quality and size of the batteries.
3. The quality of the Bluetooth chip used to manufacture the device.
4. The distance at which you are listening. The further you are, the more charge it consumes.
Conclusion
Bluetooth headphones are here to stay and they will only get better as time goes by. One of the greatest innovations that are attracting respectable attention on Kickstarter is the magnetic battery packs that boost listening time without having to touch the battery. Aren’t you excited to see what the future of Bluetooth technology holds? Feel free to drop your ideas in the comments below.
