Why your earbud charging case is worth protecting

As fantastic as our noise cancelling QuietComfort Earbuds II sound, they would be able to produce nothing without power. The charging case provides that with gusto. Taken together, the earbuds and their charging case total up to 24 hours of power — six in a fully charged pair of earbuds, and 18 more in the case. This means you can keep your favourite tunes, soundscapes, and podcasts alongside you day and night, without ever having to stop what you’re doing to hunt down an outlet.

And, whether they’re actively charging or not, the case protects your wireless Bluetooth earbuds from damage throughout the day, not to mention keeping the two earbuds together and avoiding frustratedly digging through your bag. However, as durable the Bose charging case is, it’s not impervious to damage — and the more it takes, the worse your earbuds may perform. Here’s how to protect against that.

Here are three common types of injury that can threaten the integrity of your case.

Your case protects your earbuds from water, especially when it’s closed, but it’s not entirely water resistant. If it gets into your case and onto the charging points, then the case risks short-circuiting or losing its charging capabilities.

To protect your case from water damage:

1. Dry your hands before handling it
2. Store it in dry clothing
3. Avoid using it outdoors in rain or high humidity
4. Remove it from your pockets before washing your clothing

If your charging case does get wet, open it up immediately and remove your earbuds to dry. Use a hairdryer or fan to blow cold air inside the case and leave it open to dry for at least 48 hours. You can also submerge the case in dry rice, which will absorb some of the water.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, as the old saying goes, and it applies to earbuds, too. A dirty case can decrease the performance and lifespan of your earbuds in a number of ways. Dirt, dust, and debris could block the charging port on the outside or the charging points inside, leading to overheating. There’s also a danger of bacteria growth, which can further degrade the unit.

With that in mind, make sure to clean your case regularly, and store it in optimal conditions at room temperature in a well-ventilated space. Use a microfibre cloth to give your charging case a thorough wipe-down and a cotton swab to clean the crevices. Dry cleaning is best, but a touch of distilled water or isopropyl alcohol can help loosen any hard gunk.

Your Bose charging case is strong, for sure, but enough blunt force can result in reduced function, or even break it entirely. This level of damage typically stems from dropping the case on a hard surface, but it can also take knocks from other objects put down on it or crashing around with it inside your bag. People, too, might hurt the case if they forget the case in their pocket and sit on it for an extended period.

That damage doesn’t affect the case alone, especially if it includes the charging points. Attempting to get a charge in this condition can further damage the earbuds themselves as they try to power up. That’s why, if your case stops working after a drop, it may be best to replace it to prevent damage to your earbuds.

Bose recognizes the need for protection, which is why there are two types of case covers — one fabric and one silicone. Both protect the case from potential damage from water, debris, and impacts, and include a metal carabiner clip so you can attach it to your bag, purse, or clothing. Features such as open access to the USB-C charging input and visibility to the battery status indicator also mean you won’t have to remove the case to keep and monitor the charge.

Your Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II pack a finely calibrated and powerful machine into a tiny package. But they don’t achieve such high-quality audio and noise cancellation on their own. Their charging case is just as important — possibly more so, as the earbuds can’t perform at all without it. With just a little attention and care, you can ensure that your wireless earbuds' charging case has a long lifespan.

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