Why does the price of a charging case for Xiaomi AirDots vary so much?
If you lost or broke the charging case for Xiaomi wireless headphones (be it Redmi AirDots, Mi True Wireless Earbuds or FlipBuds), you probably noticed that prices on the Internet can vary by 2-3 times even on the same model. What's the catch? It's not just the markup of sellers - several factors play a role here at once.
First, Xiaomiβs original cases are not sold everywhere; official distributors (such as Mi Store or authorized resellers) often overprice because of logistics and warranty obligations. Second, the market is full of unoriginal counterparts, from cheap Chinese copies to quality clones with AliExpress. Finally, the price depends on the headphone model: the case for Redmi AirDots 3 Pro will be more expensive than for the basic version of AirDots 2.
In this article, we will understand how much charging costs for different Xiaomi models, where it is more profitable to buy, and how not to run into a fake that will burn in a week, and also reveal the secret why some cases are cheaper than the original, but work no worse.
Official prices for Xiaomi charging cases in 2026
Starting with original accessories, Xiaomi sells cases separately from headphones, but not for all models. For example, for Redmi Buds 4 Pro or Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro, the official case is easier to find than for the outdated AirDots S. Below are the current prices for popular models (according to Mi Store Russia, Wildberries and Ozon as of June 2026):
| Model headphones | Original case (price, β½) | Non-original analogue (price, β½) | Where to buy the original |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi AirDots 2 / AirDots S | 1 200β1 500 | 300β800 | Mi Store, Ozon (at official sellers) |
| Redmi AirDots 3 / 3 Pro | 1 500β1 800 | 500β1 200 | Wildberries, Yandex Market (check reviews) |
| Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earbuds Basic 2 | 1 800β2 200 | 700β1 500 | Official website of Xiaomi, M.Video |
| Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro | 2 500β3 000 | 1 200β2 000 | Mi Store, Authorized Resellers |
| Redmi Buds 4 / 4 Pro | 2 000β2 500 | 900β1 800 | Ozon (from the seller "Xiaomi Official") |
Note that the prices of original cases can vary due to the price of the dollar or stocks, for example, on Black Friday or before New Year's Day they are often sold at a discount of 20-30%, but non-original counterparts rarely get cheaper, their price depends more on the quality of the build than on seasonal sales.
Where to buy a charging case for Xiaomi cheaper: TOP-5 spot-tested
If you do not want to overpay, but are not ready to risk a fake, here are 5 reliable places where you can buy a case for Xiaomi AirDots or Redmi Buds with a guarantee:
- π¬ Mi Store Russia is the official Xiaomi store. Here it is exactly the original, but the prices are higher than the market by 10-15%. Plus: warranty 1 year, you can check compatibility with your headphone model.
- π Wildberries / Ozon β look for sellers marked βOfficial Partner Xiaomiβ Prices are lower than in the Mi Store, but check reviews (sometimes slipping a non-original one).
- π AliExpress is the cheapest, but the risk of getting a fake is high%+ and number of orders >1,000. Pay attention to the photos with real reviews.
- π§ Xiaomi service centers β sometimes sell original cases at prices below market prices (for example, after repairs.
- π€ Avito/Yula β you can find a used case in good condition for 30-50% cheaper).
Tip: If you buy on AliExpress, pay attention to the description.
- π Mi or Redmi logo on the lid (not sticker!).
- π¦ Box with hologram and serial number.
- π Type-C connector (old models - Micro-USB).
- π Warranty card (if the seller is positioned as the original).
π‘
Before buying a case on AliExpress, write the seller a message: "Is this original Xiaomi charging case? Can you provide unboxing video?" - honest sellers will send a video with unpacking.
Should I buy an unoriginal case for Xiaomi AirDots?
Non-original cases are 2-3 times cheaper, but not all are equally bad.
- Cheap counterfeits (300-600) β½) β These are usually cases without a logo, with a bad battery (instead of the stated 300-400 mAh there can be 100-150.
- Quality clones (800-1,500) β½) β They're indistinguishable from the original, but they're cheap parts inside, they can last 6 to 12 months, but they're more likely to break.
- Alternative brands (1,000β2,000) β½) β For example, the case from Baseus or UGREEN, They are designed specifically for Xiaomi AirDots, and are often even better than the original (for example, with fast charging or increased capacity).
The advantages of non-original cases:
- π° Savings of up to 70% compared to the original.
- π Some models support fast charging (like Quick Charge 3.0) that is not available in the original.
- π¨ More color options (if you don't like standard white/black).
Cons:
- β‘ Short circuit risk (cheap batteries can swell).
- π Fast discharge (some cases are planted in 2-3 hours instead of 10-12).
- π« No guarantee of compatibility with future headphone firmware updates.
How to check an unoriginal case before buying?
How to distinguish the original case Xiaomi from a fake: 7 key signs
Fake cases for Xiaomi AirDots have become so high-quality that even experienced users can fool. Here are 7 signs by which you can recognize the original:
- The packaging is sold in a branded box with a hologram, serial number and barcode, and counterfeits often come in a plastic bag or box without a logo.
- Logo - on the lid of the original case, the Mi or Redmi logo is laser-engraved (not erased) and is often pasted or painted on counterfeits.
- Indicators - in the original 4 LEDs (one for each headphone) + The fakes may have 1-2 indicators or they don't burn as they should.
- Magnets -- the original cases have strong neodymium magnets that securely lock the lid, and fakes often have a lid hanging around.
- Charging connector - the original models of 2020 and the newer Type-C connector, the old - Micro-USB. Counterfeit can have both connectors or non-standard.
- Weight - the original case weighs ~35β40 g, counterfeits are usually lighter (25β30 g) due to cheap materials.
- Firmware β When connected to a phone, the original case is defined as βMi True Wireless Earbudsβ (or similarly), and the fakes can be displayed as βUnknown deviceβ.
If in doubt, use the official Mi Home app:
- Put the headphones on the phone.
- Open Mi Home and check if the case charge level is displayed.
- If the data is not available or they do not correspond to reality, you are a fake.
Packaging with hologram and serial number
Logo is laser-painted, not erased
4 indicators (2 for headphones, 2 for case charge)
Strong magnets on the lid
Type-C connector (for models after 2020)
Weight. ~35-40 g
Defined in Mi Home as the original device-->
How long will the charging case for Xiaomi: the timing and how to extend the life
The average lifespan of the original case for Xiaomi AirDots is 2-3 years when used actively. However, many users face problems after 6-12 months. Why is this happening?
The main causes of breakdowns:
- π Battery degradation: Lithium polymer batteries lose capacity after 300 to 500 charging cycles. If you charge a case every day, in a year or a year and a half it will sit down in 2-3 hours.
- β‘ Overheating β leaving the case in the sun or near heat sources accelerates battery wear.
- π§ Moisture intrusion β even if the case does not sink, condensation or high humidity can oxidize the contacts.
- π Use of unoriginal cables β cheap charging with AliExpress can supply unstable voltage, which spoils the power controller.
How to extend the life of the case:
- π Charge the case to 80-90% and do not discharge below 20% (this reduces the load on the battery).
- π‘οΈ Do not leave it in the car in the sun or near the battery.
- π§Ό Once a month, wipe the contacts with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
- β‘ Use the original Type-C cable or certified cable USB-IF.
π‘
If the case has stopped holding the charge, try to "swing" the battery: completely discharge it (leave it for 2-3 days), then charge to 100% and repeat the cycle 2-3 times.
β οΈ Warning: If the case swells or starts warming up when charging, stop using immediately! This is a sign of a battery malfunction that could ignite. Take it to the battery recycling point (don't throw it into the usual garbage!).
What to do if the case breaks: repair vs. buying a new one
If your charging case has stopped working, you have three options:
- Self-repair is suitable if the problem is in the contacts, connector or charging controller, for example, oxidized contacts can be cleaned, and a burned Type-C port can be soldered.
- Calling the service - if the battery or control board is broken. In official Xiaomi services, the repair of the case will cost 800-1 500 β½ (model-wise).
- Buying a new case is often cheaper than repairing it, for example, the original case for Redmi AirDots 3 costs a lot of money. ~1 500 β½, a battery repair - 1,200 β½.
Letβs see when the best option is:
| Problem. | Self-repair | Service centre | Buying a new one |
|---|---|---|---|
| No headphones (dirty contacts) are charged | β (purification) | β | β |
| The case itself is not charged (burned connector). | β (plough-up) | β (500β800 β½) | β |
| Quickly sat down (battery wear) | β | β (1 000β1 500 β½) | β (if the new case is cheaper) |
| Not included (charge burned) | β | β (1 200β2 000 β½) | β (more advantageously) |
If you decide to repair yourself, you will need:
- π§ A set of screwdrivers (for disassembling the case).
- π₯ Smearing iron (if you need to replace the connector).
- π Battery (e.g. battery, 3.7V 300mAh for AirDots 2).
- π§² Magnet glue (if they fall off).
β οΈ Warning: When disassembling a case, be careful with the plumes - they are very thin and easily break. If you are not sure of your skills, you should give it to the service. Also remember that after self-repairing the case will lose the warranty (if it was).