I previously used BOSE BT earpieces that I loved for the sound quality and noise cancelling capabilities. Battery degradation caused me to replace one after 4 years and I lost the other one after 2 years. They stopped making them, so I replaced the $185 BOSE earpiece with the Apple $150 AirPods. I needed a one ear, cordless, solution for driving and, apparently, enough people have hands free enabled vehicles now that it is no longer feasible to make a quality earpiece for drivers. The Bose lasted about an hour of talk time prior to needing a recharge. It was also a bit glitchy when connecting up with the phone. So my thinking was that I could use the AirPods in one ear for an hour, put in case to recharge and use the other side while the first was recharging, rinse, repeat.
I was not prepared for how amazing the AirPods were in that they connect up immediately and seamlessly to my phone, but that each one lasts about 2 hours on a charge with much superior sound quality to the Bose. So, not only do I have a total of 4 hours talk/listening time with both earpieces used independently, but then still have 20?? multiple hours (never run out yet on a trip) left with the charging case. No cords, no outlets to find......freedom!
Bonus points.........for amazing stereo, noise abating sound when I use both together to listen to music.
Bonus points........for staying in my ears and a weightless feeling when walking my dogs and using my iWatch to listen to podcasts
Bonus points.......for having a nifty little case that keeps me from losing them :0))
I've only had mine a year without any noticeable degradation, but will happily pay for another set should that become necessary in 2-3 years. Quality like this is not inexpensive. Oh, and BTW, my 33 year old son says that these are the best gift I have ever given him.