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Durable Headphones Compare
This page is for anyone looking for sustainable headphones and wanting to compare different sustainable headphones. We show how far each brand goes with sustainability and recycling, as well as comparing standard features. Whether you care about sustainability or just want the best headphones, we're here to help. We also explain which measures have high impact and which relatively low.
Possibility of replacing parts
Are there any costs associated with replacement
Are broken parts recovered and reused
Are broken parts recycled
How easily replacement parts can be ordered
To what extent recycled materials are used
Battery life
Sound quality (assessed by independent experts)
Possibility to use wired via 3.5mm minijack
Comfort (based on customer reviews)
PRINCE
Repeat
Very good
Modular design with replaceable parts such as sound boxes, ear pads and headband.
Free
Replacements are free with Free Repairs (€99 once or €17.99/year), or can be bought separately. In that case, an ear cushion costs €20.00.
Yes
Yes, broken parts are returned, repaired and reused where possible.
Yes
Yes, materials from non-reusable parts are recycled.
Easy
Very easy to order through a personal account on the website.
Partly
Repeat headphones are made of 50% recycled ABS, a very strong plastic (Lego blocks).
40 hours
Offers up to 40 hours of wireless use and up to 22 hours with active noise cancellation enabled.
Very good
Experts praise the Prince for its deep, powerful sound with strong mids (Inside-Audio, HiFi.nl). Wisseloord Studios and the Metropole Orchestra praise its balanced sound reproduction and detailed sound profile.
Yes
Yes, can be used wired with a 3.5mm mini jack and this is supplied as standard.
Very good
Described as very comfortable with soft ear pads and a snug fit with no pressure points. Users can wear the headphones for long periods without discomfort.
Fairbuds XL
Fairphone
Very good
Modular design with replaceable parts such as sound boxes, ear pads and headband.
Paid
Parts must be purchased. An ear cushion costs €14.95 each.
No
No, there is no programme to recover and reuse broken parts.
Partly
No. However, Fairphone does recycle an equal amount of electronic waste for every headphone sold.
Easy
Very easy to order from the Fairphone webshop.
Many
The Fairbuds XL are made of 80% recycled plastic, 100% recycled aluminium and 100% recycled tin in the solder paste.
30 hours
Offers about 30 hours of playing time without active noise cancellation and 26 hours with active noise cancellation.
Good
Sound quality is generally considered good enough, with a focus on balanced and clear tones, although it is not considered exceptional by some reviewers.
No
No, does not have a 3.5mm minijack jack. However, they can be used wired via a USB-C to USB-C cable for audio. This is not included as standard.
Good
Generally comfortable, with soft ear cushions and an adjustable headband, although some users report a slightly tight fit.
Positive Vibration XL
House of Marley
Very limited
Limited parts replacement option; mainly ear pads via Aliexpress.
Paid
Only unofficial parts can be bought on Aliexpress. An ear cushion costs around €10.00.
No
No, there is no programme to recover and reuse broken parts.
No
No, there is no programme for recycling broken parts.
Very tricky
Parts for the headphones can only be found third-party at AliExpress, for example.
Partly
The Positive Vibration XL uses recycled textiles and plastic, silicone but is not entirely clear in what quantity.
35 hours
Offers up to 35 hours of wireless use and up to 26 hours with active noise cancellation enabled.
Good
Sound quality is generally rated positively, with a strong emphasis on bass. Although the bass can be a little excessive on some tracks, the overall audio reproduction remains clear and pleasant for a variety of music genres.
Yes
Yes, can be used wired with a 3.5mm mini jack and this is supplied as standard.
Good
Comfortable with soft materials and a good fit, although prolonged use may cause some discomfort for some users.
QuietComfort
Bose
Restricted
Limited replaceability; some parts such as ear pads and cables are replaceable.
Paid
Replacement parts are usually out of warranty and cost money. A pair of ear cushions costs €35.00.
No
No, there is no programme to recover and reuse broken parts.
No
No, there is no programme for recycling broken parts.
Fair
Parts can be ordered through the Bose website and authorised dealers.
Not
Bose does not specifically mention the use of recycled plastic in their QuietComfort headphones.
30 hours
Offers up to 30 hours of wireless use and up to 24 hours with active noise cancellation enabled.
Very good
Highly rated for its balanced sound, clear treble, detailed mid frequencies and deep bass.
Yes
Yes, can be used wired with a 3.5mm mini jack and this is supplied as standard.
Very good
Very comfortable, known for its lightweight design and soft ear cushions that allow prolonged wear without discomfort.
WH-1000XM5
Sony
Restricted
Limited replaceability; some parts such as ear pads and cables are replaceable.
Paid
Replacement parts are usually out of warranty and cost money. A pair of ear cushions costs €35.00.
No
No, there is no programme to recover and reuse broken parts.
No
No, there is no programme for recycling broken parts.
Fair
Parts can be ordered from the Sony website and authorised dealers.
Partly
The Sony XM5 uses recycled plastic from car parts for 85%.
38 hours
Offers up to 30 hours of playing time with active noise cancellation and up to 38 hours without active noise cancellation.
Very good
Very good sound quality with strong performance in bass, midrange and treble. The XM5 offers a wide and detailed sound spectrum.
Yes
Yes, can be used wired with a 3.5mm mini jack and this is supplied as standard.
Very good
Very comfortable, with soft and spacious ear cushions and a lightweight design suitable for prolonged use.
Possibility of replacing parts medium impact
Modular design plays a crucial role in extending the life of products and is thus an important factor when comparing headphones. By designing electronics with easily replaceable and repairable parts, products can be used for longer and the need to buy new products is reduced. This not only reduces the number of products ending up in landfills, but also saves raw materials and energy needed to produce new devices
Lifetime warranty vs Spare parts sales high impact
Companies offering lifetime warranty:
Companies like Tupperware and Patagonia, which offer lifetime warranties, have a strong incentive to design high-quality products. These companies need to ensure that their products are reliable and durable to minimise the cost of future repairs or replacements. This leads to a focus on high-quality materials and robust design, which extends the overall product life and reduces e-waste.
Companies making money from spare parts:
Companies like Apple and Samsung, which generate revenue from the sale of spare parts and repair services, have a different approach. While they still want to offer quality products, they can benefit from selling replaceable parts. This can lead to designs that are modular and easy to repair, as well as more frequent replacement of parts. This model can contribute to a circular economy by promoting repair and reuse, but it can also result in more waste due to parts replacement.
Recovery and reuse of broken parts high impact
Companies that take back broken parts for repair and reuse, such as HP and Dell, promote sustainability and minimise waste. This model encourages the production of parts that are easy to disassemble and repair. It requires a design approach where products are modular and accessible so that damaged parts can be easily replaced and repaired. This not only contributes to the circular economy, but also reduces the need for new raw materials and reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing processes.
This practice forces manufacturers to design robust and reusable parts, which can result in higher initial production costs, but can lead to cost savings and environmental gains in the long run. Taking back parts allows companies to improve the quality of their products through continuous feedback and innovation based on the most common defects and wear patterns. It also promotes the use of sustainable materials and technologies that are easier to repair.
Reused materials in the initial production process low impact
Using recycled plastic in products contributes to waste reduction and promotes the circular economy. However, its impact remains limited by several factors such as the quality and availability of recycled material and the energy-intensive processes required for recycling. Recycled plastic can be weakened, which can lead to shorter product life and increased maintenance costs.
In contrast, a focus on life extension and closed material flows offers much more impact on sustainability. Designing products for a longer life reduces the need for new raw materials and minimises waste generation. This includes designing products that are easy to repair, upgrade and recycle, resulting in fewer replacements and less waste.
Closed post-use material flows, where materials are fully reused in new products, maximise material utilisation and minimise the carbon footprint. This system ensures that valuable raw materials remain in the production chain, drastically reducing both the demand for new materials and the amount of waste.
