For anyone hoping to charge Apple’s AirPods or AirPods Pro without the case, the options are nonexistent. AirPods are a great option for anyone looking for a true wireless listening experience, but charging the earbuds when the battery is low is not always so liberating, due to their reliance on a carry case that doubles as a charger.
Since the release of the first-generation, AirPods have remained a popular option for earbuds buyers. In fact, Apple has, on more than one occasion, expanded the lineup with newer models, being charged directly, all versions of the earbuds still require the use of the case to top up the battery.
Depending on how much a consumer is willing to spend when buying AirPods, there is the choice between picking up either a standard or wireless with a newer model, no current AirPods earbuds model can be charged without the case.
Lost Or Broken Case? Time To Buy A New One
Some consumers may simply want to find a way to charge the earbuds without the inconvenience of having to carry the case as well, or ensured it is charged. However, there are going to be instances where AirPods s are more immediately impacted by the inability to charge without a case, such as when a case is lost, stolen or broken. Unfortunately, as there is no real option to charge the earbuds without a case, there's also no real option in these instances other than buying a replacement case.
Technically, some third-party products have been released in the past that claim to offer the option to charge AirPods without the case. However, these are still additional purchases and largely work exactly the same as a case, requiring the AirPods to be charged in a stationary position and typically requiring some form of power themselves. At present, a case, either sold by Apple or a third-party, remains the best and only real option for charging a pair of AirPods.
Source: Apple