Introduction
Ethical hardware manufacturer Fairphone has introduced its second generation of wireless earbuds. The Fairbuds 2 maintain the brand's core focus on modular repairability while delivering enhanced audio performance and nearly double the battery life of their predecessors.
Fairphone’s latest repairable earbuds are smaller, lighter, and longer-lasting
The Fairbuds 2 preserve the repair-friendly architecture of the original model while expanding availability to the United States market.
The hardware has undergone a complete design overhaul compared to the initial release.
Design and Battery Life
The Fairbuds 2 transition to a stemmed form factor offered in black or green finishes, housed inside a charging case that is 37 percent smaller than the previous generation. Despite the reduced hardware footprint, battery longevity has nearly doubled, yielding up to 40 hours of total playback without active noise cancellation. Individual buds provide around eight hours of listening time, dropping to six hours with ANC enabled. Recharging relies on USB-C, though wireless Qi charging is omitted.
Audio Performance and Features
Audio reproduction benefits from new 11mm bio-cellulose dynamic drivers, alongside refined active noise cancellation and support for the high-quality LDAC codec. Multipoint connectivity allows simultaneous pairing with two devices, and a dedicated mobile application features a five-band EQ for sound customization.
The new charging case is 37 percent smaller and 32 percent lighter.
Charging is handled exclusively via USB-C.
The earbuds and charging case are available in green or black colorways.
A removable silicone sleeve provides access to the internal components for maintenance and repairs.
Real-World Usage
Extended evaluation shows that while the Fairbuds 2 may not match the most polished finish of competing devices in the same price tier, they perform reliably. Touch controls function smoothly, and audio quality remains solid despite occasional muddiness and a more constrained soundstage. The active noise cancellation successfully subdues most ambient environmental noise.
Repairability and Sustainability
The defining characteristic of the Fairbuds line remains its exceptional repairability. The battery in each earbud can be swapped out in under a minute without specialized tools, and the case cell is secured by a single T5 screw. Replacement components, including eartips and sleeves, are made available directly through the manufacturer's website. An IP54 water-resistance rating and a three-year warranty add to the product's longevity.
Repairing the device requires minimal tooling.
A single Torx T5 fastener is located on the base of the case, while the earbuds themselves contain no screws.
Disassembly of the hardware takes only a couple of minutes.
Crucially, all three internal batteries are fully removable and replaceable.
Fairphone emphasizes transparency in its material supply chain, reporting that 49 percent of the materials used in the Fairbuds 2 consist of fair trade and recycled elements. This includes recycled plastics, recycled rare earth minerals, and responsibly sourced cobalt, gold, and silver.
