Upgrade Your Lightning AirPods to USB-C with These Easy Solutions!

Good news for those of us still holding onto AirPods with Lightning ports—there’s finally a way to upgrade them to USB-C without complicated modifications or having to replace the case entirely. Thanks to engineer Ken Pillonel, you can now switch to USB-C charging in a snap!

Introducing the USB-C Protective Case for AirPods

Pillonel has created a clever solution—a USB-C protective case that fits over the charging case of your older AirPods. It’s made from durable, flexible 3D-printed plastic and can be installed in just 10 seconds. How does it work? The case includes a USB-C port on the outside, which passes power along to your AirPods’ Lightning port using a bit of extra tech hidden in the base.

What’s great about this solution is that it’s removable! So, if you ever need direct access to the Lightning port, you can just pop off the case. It’s an affordable and flexible way to future-proof your AirPods without any hassle.

Compatibility and Pricing

These USB-C cases are available for AirPods 1, 2, and 3, as well as the original AirPods Pro and the Lightning version of the AirPods Pro 2. If you’ve got the new AirPods 4 or the updated USB-C AirPods Pro 2, you’re already in the clear!

The best part? While Apple charges $99 for a replacement USB-C charging case for the AirPods Pro 2, Pillonel’s cases are priced between $30 and $40, making them a much more budget-friendly alternative.

Before you purchase, make sure to double-check the model number on your AirPods charging case to ensure it’s compatible with the version specified on Pillonel’s product listing. A quick check will ensure you get the right case for your AirPods.

USB-C for AirPods Max Users

AirPods Max users aren’t left out, either! If you’re not ready to fork over $549 for Apple’s new USB-C model, Pillonel has come up with a creative solution—a USB-C External Adapter that plugs into the Lightning port of the original AirPods Max. The adapter is small and discreet, hanging off the bottom of the right earcup. While it’s not quite as seamless as the protective cases for AirPods, it’s small enough that you probably won’t even notice it while wearing the headphones out and about.

Pillonel’s War on Lightning Ports

For the past few years, Ken Pillonel has been on a mission to replace Apple’s proprietary Lightning ports with the more universal USB-C standard. He made waves back in 2021 with an open-source design to upgrade the iPhone X to USB-C, and since then, he’s been working on methods for upgrading AirPods and AirPods Max to USB-C as well. While he does sell electronic kits for the more tech-savvy among us, his latest cases and adapters don’t require any hardware modifications or soldering skills, making them a simple and accessible solution for everyone.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still rocking AirPods with Lightning ports but want the convenience of USB-C, Ken Pillonel’s USB-C protective cases and adapters are an easy, affordable fix. With prices ranging from $30 to $40, they’re a great alternative to replacing your entire charging case or upgrading to a newer model. Plus, you’ll be saying goodbye to the Lightning port for good—something we can all get behind!

So, whether you’re an AirPods 3 user or hanging on to your AirPods Max, these USB-C solutions are a great way to keep your gear up to date.