Introduction:

As a runner preparing for a full marathon, finding the right wireless headphones that can withstand the distance is crucial. When I ran my first marathon in 2021, my Apple AirPods died at mile 18, leaving me without music for the last 8 miles!

Since most marathon training plans only go up to 20 miles (omitting the last 6.2 miles or 24% of the course), many runners do not test the full battery life of their wireless headphones, ,leaving them without music by the end of their race. If you need music to run (I know I do – it’s proven to boost your cadence!), this could be an unpleasant surprise on race day and even hurt your performance. In this article, we’ll explore which models of AirPods can last a full marathon in 2023, while shedding light on Apple’s battery life claims and suggesting alternative headphone options.

Which AirPod Models Will Last a Marathon?

Apple advertises impressive battery life for its AirPods, but real-world usage often tells a different story. Apple advertises battery life at its max potential, meaning they test batteries on AirPods that are new, fully charged, limit popular features, and test the volume at 50% . Factors such as volume level, usage of additional features like noise cancellation, talking on the phone, and the age of the battery (Yes, it loses battery capacity every year!) can all impact the duration of use.

During a Marathon, you might want to use AirPod features such as talking on the phone to find friends and family, high volume levels to tune out crowds so it’s important to consider if your AirPod model can last a full marathon.

Source: Apple.com

Fact vs. Fiction: Apple Battery Life Claims vs. Real World

	Apple’s Claim	Real Life Comparison	Will it last a marathon?	Max Marathon Time/ Pace
AirPods (1st Gen)	up to 5 Hours (no talk time)	Under 3.3 Hours	Maybe	3:18 Marathon 7:33 Pace
AirPods (2nd Gen)	up to 5 Hours (no talk time)	Under 4.3 Hours	Maybe	4:18 Marathon 9:51 Pace
AirPods (3rd Gen)	up to 6 Hours (no talk time, no spatial audio)	Under 6 Hours	Maybe	5:59 Marathon 13:42
AirPods Pro (1st Gen)	up to 4.5 hours (no talk time, no noise cancellation)	Under 4.5 Hours	Maybe	4:30 Marathon 10:18 Pace
AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)	up to 6 Hours with noise cancellation enabled (no talk time, no spatial audio, no head tracking)	Under 5.6 Hours	Maybe	5:26 Marathon 12:27Pace

• The 1st Gen AirPods, with a battery life of up to 5 hours, may not last a marathon as it falls short of the 3:18 marathon time and a pace of 7:33 per mile.
• The 2nd Gen AirPods, with a similar battery life, also may not last a marathon, with a time of 4:18 and a pace of 9:51 per mile.
• The 3rd Gen AirPods, boasting up to 6 hours of battery life, might just last a marathon with a time of 5:59 and a pace of 13:42 per mile.
• The 1st Gen AirPods Pro, with a battery life of up to 4.5 hours, may not be suitable for a marathon, lasting around 4:30 and maintaining a pace of 10:18 per mile.
• However, the 2nd Gen AirPods Pro, with up to 6 hours of battery life, has a better chance of lasting a marathon with a time of 5:26 and a pace of 12:27 per mile.

On average, a most runners complete a marathon between of 3 to 6 hours, with the average being around 4.5 hours. Therefore, when considering whether AirPods will last a marathon, it’s important to be realistic about how long you think it will take you to run it, along with what battery draining features you might want to use.

Marathon-Ready Alternatives: Exploring Other Options

If do you have concerns about your AirPods’ battery life for a full marathon or simply prefer to explore alternative options, there are other wireless headphones that boast a (much) longer battery life than Apple AirPods.

My Recommendation: Shockz Openrun :

These aren’t conventional wireless headphones, but they make a top recommendation for good reason – you’ll see all the elite marathoners wear them! They use bone conduction technology where the headphones create vibrations to transmit sound to your ear and last up to 8 hours of music AND calls. Bonus Beats: These are legal for race that do not allow in-ear headphones, because they’re not in your ears.

Top Performer: Powerbeats Pro:

These wireless earphones from Apple’s Beats brand offer a longer battery life compared to AirPods, advertising up to 9 hours of listening, meaning they can last up to a 20 minute pace marathon! Additionally, their secure-fit around the ear design ensures they stay in place during long runs and they boast top-tier audio quality.

Best Value: . GNMN Bluetooth Headphones Wireless Earbuds:

At just under $27 dollars and 8 hours of battery life, it’s hard to pass this option up. I personally keep a pair of these for my backup headphones if my other pairs are dead or for runs I’m scared I might lose them (have you ever ran over a bridge and worried about your headphones flying off?). The sound quality is not as great as the other options, but if you don’t care about that, these are a great alternative to AirPods.

Maximizing Battery Life: Tips for Endurance

Regardless of the wireless headphones you choose, there are steps you can take to maximize their battery life during a full marathon:

Charge fully: Before the race, ensure your headphones and charging case are fully charged to start with maximum battery capacity.

Optimize settings: Adjust volume levels, disable features like noise cancellation, and use the headphones conservatively to extend battery life.

Carry a portable charger: It’s not ideal, but if you anticipate needing extra battery life during the marathon, consider carrying the charging case to recharge your headphones on the go. You can even pnly wear one at a time, while the other one charges

Conclusion:

When it comes to lasting a full marathon in 2023, the battery life of your headphones is a crucial consideration. While you might already own a pair of Apple’s AirPods , their actual battery life might not last your full marathon. As the motto goes “nothing new on race day,” being prepared with the right headphones will ensure you get over that finish line. Happy Running!