Currently, there is no other way to charge AirPods besides using the AirPods case. This is because Apple has designed the AirPods to be charged specifically through the case, which acts as both a protective storage unit and a charging station for the earbuds.
The AirPods case itself is equipped with a Lightning port at the bottom, allowing you to connect it to a power source using a Lightning cable. This traditional wired charging method is the primary way to charge the AirPods. By connecting the Lightning cable to the case and plugging it into a power outlet or a USB port, you can recharge the AirPods’ battery.
However, Apple introduced wireless charging capabilities for the AirPods with the release of the second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro. These models come with a wireless charging case, which supports charging via the Qi wireless charging standard. Qi is a widely adopted standard for wireless charging that enables compatible devices to charge without the need for a physical connection.
To charge your AirPods with a wireless charging case, you need a Qi-compatible wireless charging pad or mat. Simply place the wireless charging case on the charging pad, ensuring proper alignment, and the case will start charging the AirPods wirelessly. This offers a more convenient and cable-free charging experience.
It’s worth noting that the first-generation AirPods do not come with a wireless charging case, so wireless charging is not possible with those models. However, you can purchase a separate wireless charging case from Apple and upgrade your existing AirPods to support wireless charging.
The only two ways to charge AirPods are through the Lightning port on the AirPods case or via wireless charging using a Qi-compatible charging pad with the wireless charging case. Apple has not provided any other alternative methods for charging AirPods at this time.
I hope this detailed explanation answers your question thoroughly. If you have any further inquiries or need more information, feel free to ask!