Repairability is gradually becoming more mainstream—at least to some extent.

Regrettably, many individuals overlook how easy it is to repair the fancy gadgets they purchase. Inevitably, items will fail, degrade, or wear out, making it worthwhile to consider repairability, but few do.

I’m not here to alter your perspective or dictate your thoughts, but repairability is a crucial aspect for me when selecting products. Whether it’s my experience or simply being frugal, knowing I can fix an item for half the price of replacing it matters to me, even if my favorite phone is virtually unrepairable. Sigh.

If you’re among those who value the ability to repair your items, you’ll be thrilled by the recent developments in Bluetooth headphones. I’m not solely referencing sound quality enhancements, although those are improving, but rather how manufacturers are creating products you can repair yourself or have repaired by someone else. Fantastic!

The newest Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are generating excitement with their user-friendly design. As shown in an iFixit teardown video, screws replace much of the glue, and components are arranged for easy access without needing to cut through plastic.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 Teardown! A Repair Friendly Upgrade! – YouTube

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It may still appear somewhat perplexing upon seeing all the components, but compared to how companies previously concealed those parts with glue and plastic, this marks a significant advancement. It’s a beneficial shift— even if you don’t intend to personally fix a pair of headphones, this allows a certified technician to repair it at a fraction of the cost. That’s money saved for essentials like groceries or recreation.

You may assume that mending an old pair of headphones is nothing novel, but we’re focusing on Bluetooth technology here. With circuit boards, batteries, and ribbon cables, it’s very different from those old headsets held together with electrical tape and speaker wire. Yes, I’ve had those too.

Even more promising is the trend of earbuds becoming repairable. I’m not just referring to the Fairphone Fairbuds—though they are the pinnacle of fixable earbuds. Brands like Sony, PQ, and even Amazon offer earbuds that aren’t too difficult to open and fix when they eventually fail. When they fail, as they inevitably will.

Sadly, not every corporation is keeping up with this trend. Apple, Samsung, and Google market widely recognized earbuds that a vast number of individuals use with their smartphones. You should consider them disposable, as repairing them is likely going to cost more than purchasing a new set.

Some devices aren’t going to become more repair-friendly due to their design or construction. Certain items shouldn’t be repairable, like wall plugs or charging cables, as someone could get injured attempting to fix them—likely someone like me.

For now, it’s encouraging to witness an increase in the accessibility of tools and technologies for repairing the items we purchase alongside new phones. Here’s hoping that other manufacturers recognize the trend and follow suit.