{"id":29538,"date":"2026-06-17T14:02:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T19:02:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/?p=29538"},"modified":"2026-09-24T18:59:43","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T23:59:43","slug":"used-airpods-headphones-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/used-airpods-headphones-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Used AirPods and Headphones: The Complete Buyer and Seller Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Used AirPods and noise-canceling headphones are some of the easiest savings in tech, and a busy stretch of launches has pushed more good models onto the used market. Apple released AirPods Max 2 and AirPods 5 in 2026, and Bose updated its QuietComfort Headphones in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide covers every current AirPods model and the main Sony and Bose headphones with Swappa prices, the checks used audio gear needs before you buy, and how to sell the pair you have now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For most people, used\u00a0AirPods Pro 2<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0are the best value, at about\u00a0$111<\/strong>\u00a0on Swappa against a $249 launch price. For over-ear headphones, a used\u00a0Sony WH-1000XM5<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(about $155) or\u00a0Bose QuietComfort 45<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0(about $140) gets you strong noise cancellation for less than half its launch price. Before you pay, confirm the pair is genuine, removed from the seller’s Apple Account if it’s AirPods, and still holds a charge.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Browse Used AirPods & Headphones on Swappa<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why Buy Used Audio Gear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Earbuds and headphones lose value quickly in their first couple of years, even though a well-kept pair sounds the same as a new one. On Swappa, AirPods Pro 2 sell for about 55% less than their launch price, and a Sony WH-1000XM5 sells for about 61% less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each new launch pushes the previous model onto the used market. AirPods 5 replaced AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3 replaced AirPods Pro 2, and the Sony WH-1000XM6 succeeded the XM5, so all three older models are now easy to find used. Prices vary with condition, included accessories, and demand, so check current Swappa prices<\/a> before you buy or sell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Three Checks Every Used Audio Buyer Should Make<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Audio gear has risks you don’t face with most phones or laptops:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Authenticity.<\/strong>\u00a0Fake AirPods are common and can look convincing. A serial number check on Apple’s coverage site, plus the pairing animation and Find My on an iPhone, catches most of them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Account lock.<\/strong>\u00a0AirPods can be linked to only one Apple Account at a time. If the seller didn’t remove them, you can’t add them to yours, and only the seller can fix that.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Battery wear.<\/strong>\u00a0No earbuds or headphones show a battery health percentage. The practical test is real playback time compared with the maker’s rating.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Each check is covered below, with links to the full guides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    New AirPods and Headphones Released Since 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    These are the AirPods, Sony, and Bose headphones announced since May 2025, newest first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Model<\/th>Announced<\/th>Launch Price<\/th>What’s New<\/th>Replaced<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    AirPods 5<\/a><\/td>September 2026<\/td>$129, or $149 with a Wireless Charging Case<\/td>ANC on both versions, IP57, H2 chip<\/td>AirPods 4<\/td><\/tr>
    Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)<\/td>August 2026<\/td>$359<\/td>Immersive Audio (Still, Motion, and Cinema modes), wired USB-C lossless audio, multipoint<\/td>QuietComfort Headphones (2023)<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Max 2<\/a><\/td>March 2026<\/td>$549<\/td>H2 chip, up to 1.5x more effective ANC, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation<\/td>AirPods Max (USB-C)<\/td><\/tr>
    Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)<\/a><\/td>September 2025<\/td>$449<\/td>30-hour battery (up from 24), wired USB-C lossless audio, Cinema mode<\/td>QuietComfort Ultra Headphones<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Pro 3<\/a><\/td>September 2025<\/td>$249<\/td>Up to 2x the ANC of AirPods Pro 2, heart rate sensing, 8-hour battery, IP57<\/td>AirPods Pro 2<\/td><\/tr>
    Sony WH-1000XM6<\/a><\/td>May 2025<\/td>$449.99<\/td>Folding design returns, QN3 processor, 12 microphones<\/td>WH-1000XM5<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Two of these are new since this guide first ran in June 2026: AirPods 5<\/strong> and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)<\/strong>. Neither has used sales on Swappa yet. The AirPods 5 page<\/a> is live with no listings so far, and the new QuietComfort Headphones don’t have their own Swappa page yet. Because the 2023 model and the 2nd Gen share the QuietComfort Headphones name, ask the seller which generation a listing is before you buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For used buyers, the bigger news is what these launches replaced. AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, the USB-C AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM5, and the first QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are now some of the best used deals in audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    AirPods: Every Model and What It Sells For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    AirPods are the most popular used audio product on Swappa. Apple sells three lines: standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, and the over-ear AirPods Max.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Model (Year)<\/th>Avg. Sale on Swappa<\/th>Launch Price<\/th>Chip<\/th>ANC<\/th>Verdict<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    AirPods (2nd gen)<\/a> (2019)<\/td>$56<\/td>$159<\/td>H1<\/td>No<\/td>Rock-bottom budget<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods (3rd gen)<\/a> (2021)<\/td>$70<\/td>$179<\/td>H1<\/td>No<\/td>Cheap spatial audio<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods 4<\/a> (2024)<\/td>$86<\/td>$129 \/ $179 with ANC<\/td>H2<\/td>ANC version only<\/td>Best budget H2<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods 5<\/a> (2026)<\/td>No sales yet<\/td>$129 \/ $149 wireless case<\/td>H2<\/td>Yes<\/td>Newest standard AirPods<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Pro (1st gen)<\/a> (2019)<\/td>$74<\/td>$249<\/td>H1<\/td>Yes<\/td>Skip for Pro 2<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Pro 2<\/a> (2022)<\/td>$111<\/td>$249<\/td>H2<\/td>Yes<\/td>Best value<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Pro 3<\/a> (2025)<\/td>$165<\/td>$249<\/td>H2<\/td>Yes<\/td>Best overall<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Max (Lightning)<\/a> (2020)<\/td>$223<\/td>$549<\/td>H1<\/td>Yes<\/td>Cheapest Max<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Max (USB-C)<\/a> (2024)<\/td>$252<\/td>$549<\/td>H1<\/td>Yes<\/td>Best Max value<\/td><\/tr>
    AirPods Max 2<\/a> (2026)<\/td>$393<\/td>$549<\/td>H2<\/td>Yes<\/td>Best Max<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Average sale prices come from Swappa’s price pages as of September 24, 2026, and they move with condition, case type, and demand. The AirPods 4 average covers both versions. The original 2016 AirPods sell for well under $50, but their batteries are up to ten years old, so they’re hard to recommend at any price.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The chip matters more than the year.<\/strong> Apple’s newer AirPods features, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation, run on the H2 chip, and Apple hasn’t brought them to H1 models. The Hearing Aid feature is on AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods Pro 3 only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best picks by type:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n