Fairphone launches Fairbuds XL modular headphones you can fix at home

Home / Hot Stuff / Fairphone launches Fairbuds XL modular headphones you can fix at home

Among sustainable tech booming and right to repair looming, Fairphone has been offering modular, repairable tech you can fix at home. It all started back with the Fairphone – a repairable and environmentally-friendly smartphone. Now the brand is back with its debut set of over-ear headphones, the Fairbuds XL. But how do these cans differ from others? They’re completely modular and fixable from your sofa, of course!

Read more: Best headphones 2023: the top wireless headphones reviewed

Fairphone reckons its new ‘phones are the most sustainable option on the market, and the brand might just be right. Since the Fairbuds XL are modular, almost all the components are replaceable yourself. This means that when the ear cushions start to wear or if a cable snaps, you can replace the part rather than the entire gadget. On top of all this, each component is already made from responsibly-sourced materials. Fairphone uses 100% recycled plastic, polyester, nylon, and aluminium, plus Fairtrade gold.

But how do they sound? Fairphone reckons the Fairbuds XL can offer superior sound quality, strong bass, warm mids and clear bright highs. They’re packing 40mm dynamic drivers to deliver the sound directly into your lugs. On top of this, you’ll find some of the headphone features you know and love.

The Fairbuds XL pack in active noise cancellation, a two-point Bluetooth connection, and different audio modes to choose from. The battery (which is also replaceable) can squeeze out up to 30 hours of listening time, depending on noise cancellation usage. Plus, the cans are IP54 water and dust resistant, so should fare well against everyday life. You can access EQ settings from the companion app, and even contact support. Who said going green couldn’t sound good?

It can look good, too. The Fairbuds XL come in either speckled green or speckled black – both rather snazzy designs in our opinion. They’ll set you back £219/€249, and spare parts should live around the £20-£30 range when they become available. You can order the modular headphones directly from Fairphone.

Related: Green age riot: The best eco-friendly gadgets you’ll actually want to buy

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around seven years now, with writing across the web and in print too. Connor has experience on most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he’s a fan of gadgets of all sorts! Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup scene. This exciting involvement puts him at the front of new and exciting tech, always on the lookout for innovating products.