The AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation (ANC) are popular in the wireless earphones segment. They offer the coveted noise cancellation without having to push silicone tips into your ear canal. But with a price tag of €199 at Apple, they are not exactly cheap. Fortunately, there is an alternative: refurbished AirPods.
While we mainly know Swappie for their refurbished iPhones, they now also sell AirPods. Is there a market for ‘used’ earphones and headphones? We tested the refurbished AirPods 4 with noise cancellation from Swappie. With the most important question in particular: Are they as good as a brand new product from the Apple Store?
Refurbished explained and why it is cheaper
‘Refurbished’ is the English term for ‘refurbished’, and it refers to products that have been restored to a condition where they can be resold. Unlike regular second-hand products, which are often purchased directly from a previous owner via platforms such as Marktplaats, refurbished products undergo an extensive and strict inspection process.
Specialists thoroughly inspect, test and clean these devices to ensure they meet high quality standards. Where necessary, defective or worn parts are replaced with new ones to ensure functionality. This process ensures that the quality of the product is not only maintained, but can even be improved. This is especially noticeable in smartphones where the battery is often replaced with a new one.
Back to the popular AirPods: once they have been taken out of the packaging or have only been used for a short time, they can no longer be sold as ‘new’. They are often returned as a return item. After inspection, they can be classified as Refurbished, which offers an attractive benefit to the consumer: you enjoy a lower price compared to a new product, while at the same time receiving the quality and warranty of a professionally inspected item.
Refurbished AirPods from Swappie
By choosing refurbished you give a device a second life, so that no new raw materials have to be extracted and CO2 emissions are reduced. You also prevent properly functioning electronics from ending up as e-waste. This was one of the reasons for this refurbished AirPods from Swappie to choose, this was our experience.
No original box
Anyone who orders refurbished AirPods should not expect the original Apple packaging. Swappie supplies the AirPods in their own box, matching their refurbished range. The box contains the two earphones and the charging case; The product page also states that a charging cable or adapter is not included as standard.
That may be less luxurious than a brand new set straight from the Apple Store, but in practice it is mainly a matter of adjusting expectations. You are not buying a new product in the original retail packaging here, but a checked set that is functionally and visually close to new.
Condition of the AirPods
Swappie itself speaks about different quality levels, where in practice the AirPods 4 are mainly offered in a neat, well-checked new condition. The set we received stood out in a positive way.
We took a closer look at the AirPods, from the earphones and speakers to the edges and the charging case. We couldn’t find anything that immediately stood out and pointed to previous use. No dust, no discoloration, no dirt and no visible signs of use that detracted from the impression.
This increases the chance that you are dealing with a returned product that has only been used for a short time. Swappie itself is also transparent about this: the earphones may have light, difficult to see scratches or smudges and the case may show superficial signs of use, but in practice this did not produce a disturbing image in our test.
Everything works as it should
Pairing the AirPods is as easy as pairing a new set. Open the case on your iPhone and the familiar docking window will appear almost immediately. Then the functions work exactly as you expect, without any strange delays or glitches. The active noise reduction also does what it is supposed to do.
Battery life and user experience
The battery is often a major concern with refurbished audio, but there is little to complain about. Swappie says the battery has been tested for reliability and the AirPods meet their standards. This is also the case in practice. The listening time was good and the case held its charge well. There was no noticeable difference from a new set in normal daily use.
We achieved the promised battery life of about 4 hours with noise cancellation (and up to 5 hours without ANC) without any problems. The charging case also charges quickly and quickly recharges the earphones with energy. The battery performance is simply indistinguishable from a new set.
Warranty and returns
You get 24 months as standard on your refurbished AirPods Swappie guarantee. If a technical defect occurs within two years that occurred through no fault of your own, Swappie will resolve this promptly for you. You also have a 14-day cooling-off period and you can return it for free, provided the AirPods are still in good condition.
Which AirPods can you choose?
Swappie focuses on multiple models. You can choose from AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4, and the AirPods 4 are available in both a version with and without active noise cancellation. Swappie thus serves different types of users: from those who are simply looking for a compact Apple headset to those who want ANC and a more premium listening experience. The latest AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max have not yet been included in their range at the time of writing.
Price difference and value
Swappie offers the AirPods in such good condition that the price difference with a new one is sometimes less significant than you would expect. Yet there is certainly a difference, and that is what makes refurbished products attractive. You may not get a spectacular discount, but you will save on a product that in practice is hardly inferior to a new model.
Conclusion: Refurbished AirPods from Swappie
The refurbished AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation from Swappie have positively surprised us. Because Swappie currently chooses to only sell AirPods in ‘very good condition’, the quality is almost the same as new.
The only disadvantage of this is that the price difference with a brand new set from Apple or other web shops is currently relatively small. But let’s face it: every tenner less is one less, and you give up absolutely nothing for it. You get the same fantastic sound quality, flawless operation, perfect battery life and a two-year warranty.
We must note that Swappie always charges shipping costs of at least €5.99, which makes the purchase price more expensive. It is good to know that a new set is often shipped elsewhere for free, a larger price difference would be more attractive.