Fairphone Fairbuds XL Review: The Most Repairable & Sustainable Headphones of 2026

I have lost count of how many headphones I have owned that stopped working just because of a dead battery or a torn ear cushion. It feels so frustrating as you spend a chunk of money on premium gear only for it to become a paperweight in about three years because the battery can not be changed.

That’s why I was curious about these Fairphone Fairbuds XL headphones. I have used plenty of headphones from Sony to Bose and while they sound great, they always felt like high-tech disposables. 

As we are coming into 2026, the Fairbuds XL (updated 2025 model) promised something different. I was in doubt at first about how a repairable headphone could actually be a good daily driver. This is not just a review of sound quality; it is a look at what it actually feels like to own your technology again.

Specifications

Design and comfort

When I first put them on, what stood out was not the luxury but how solid and calculated everything felt. Unlike the glossy, fragile plastic of other brands, the Fairbuds XL uses sustainable and recycled aluminium material.

The 2025 version has been upgraded to breathable net fabric on the headband and Bird’s-eye mesh fabric on the ear cushions, which come in two colors, Forest Green and Horizon Black. In my long listening sessions, this is a game-changer for me, as they did not get as sweaty as other headphones. It weighs 30 grams, which does not make it light, but the padding is so well distributed that I did not feel that uncomfortable pressure on my head after hours of work.

Sound Quality

I use these headphones for listening to music, watching podcasts during work and even for calls throughout the day.

I will be honest, I was thinking that I would have to sacrifice for the sound quality as they are eco-friendly, but I was wrong because the sound is actually great, which you can directly compare with famous brands like Sony or Sennheiser. 

They come with 40 mm dynamic drivers, which give a warm and punchy audio experience that works perfectly whether I am listening to music, watching podcasts or taking a call throughout the day.

To make it even better, the Fairbuds app features a Studio EQ and you can pick different sound profiles, like Amsterdam or Tokyo, which are designed by Sonarworks. These allow me to manually adjust the frequencies or pick a profile that makes the bass a bit heavier, giving me total control over my listening experience.

Noise cancellation and Smart Feature

I didn’t expect Fairbuds XL to compete with Bose-level silence, but in my day-to-day usage, they surprise me. I used the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) feature while in a busy coffee shop or while travelling, which helps me cut the outside noise and focus on my work.

The controls are also standout. Instead of using touch panels that fail in the rain, this headset uses a physical joystick feature, which is great. You just have to push and hold the joystick up to increase the volume, push and hold the joystick down to decrease the volume, and press to pause audio or answer the incoming calls. It works every single time, even when I am wearing gloves. 

Battery life and charging

What I appreciate the most about the Fairbuds XL headphones is not how long the battery lasts, but the fact that the battery is not going to be a reason for the end of these headphones, as it comes with detachable batteries, which reminds me of old phones. It comes with an 800 mAh battery.

On a full charge, with the ANC feature, I got about 30 hours of run time and it can be charged by using a USB-C data cable in about 2.5 to 3 hours.

As there are many brands that offer 50+ hours of battery life, this might seem low. 

However, I had a moment on a long workday where I realized I did not have to worry about the battery of these headphones. If it gets ruined, I can simply buy a new one for approximately €19.95 ($23), pop the ear cup cover and swap it myself in two minutes without the need for glue.

Bluetooth connectivity

Once I paired my Fairbuds XL, I did not have to think about pairing them anymore and that is exactly how good Bluetooth headphones should be. They use Bluetooth 5.3 and support Multipoint. 

It means I can connect them to two devices simultaneously, like a laptop and a smartphone, which I can switch as per my needs. The connection remained rock-solid even when I walked into the next room to grab a cup of coffee.

Price and Availability  

These headphones cost €249 (approx $292 USD) and come with an official 3-year warranty. 

They are available for purchase through the official US retail partners of Fairphone, Amazon and Murena.

Final Verdict

After using these headphones, I can’t imagine going back to other headphones that I’ll just have to throw away in a few years.

If you hate throwing away your expensive devices just because of their broken battery, then these headphones are meant for you. They are sustainable and great for the environment.

But if you are someone who travels constantly and needs the world-class, dead-silent noise cancellation found in brands like Sony or Bose, or if you want high-tech features like 3D spatial audio, or a built-in Find My device feature, then these are not meant for you.

As far as I’m concerned, in 2026, the “coolest” thing a piece of tech can do is stay out of the trash and the Fairbuds XL are the first pair of headphones that actually show that potential.

Also read: 5 Best Smartwatches for Heart Monitoring – ECG, HRV & Alerts and Google’s AI-Powered Smart Glasses Launching in 2026: Everything We Know So Far

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