We asked, you told us: All wireless earbuds should have replaceable batteries

Last week, I asked whether wireless earbuds should have user-replaceable batteries after Google announced the Pixel Buds 2a with a replaceable case battery. Your response was overwhelming and clear: yes, they absolutely should.

The numbers don’t lie

Across our website and YouTube channel, 1,050 readers and viewers weighed in on our poll. The results tell a compelling story about what consumers actually want from their wireless earbuds.

Combined results (1,050 votes):

• 66% want both case and earbud batteries replaceable (693 votes)
• 18.8% are fine with non-replaceable batteries (197 votes)
• 10.7% don’t care either way (112 votes)
• 4.6% think only case batteries need to be replaceable (48 votes)

Two-thirds of respondents want full battery replaceability in both the case and earbuds themselves. Meanwhile, Google’s half-measure approach—making only the case battery replaceable—received the lowest support at just 4.6%. The message is clear: if you’re going to do replaceable batteries, do it right.

Your voices on repairability

The comments revealed the real frustration many of you have with current wireless earbuds. One commenter who recently tackled a Sony WF-1000XM4 battery replacement captured the essence of the problem perfectly:

“Having just performed the excruciating experience of replacing a dead battery on my WF-1000XM4, definitely a fan of replaceable batteries, but there should be some emphasis on EASE of repair. A heat gun and multiple hours of playing with a razor and the bud in order to get the pieces to separate should not be necessary.” — @checkitoutftw

Another reader put it bluntly: “TWS earbuds are a product that really shouldn’t exist unless they can be made repairable. In their current form, they’re just e-waste waiting to happen.”

The upgrade cycle reality also came through clearly. As one commenter noted: “Irreplaceable batteries are the death of every AirPods pair in about 3/4 years.”

What this means for the industry

The Fairphone Fairbuds prove full battery replaceability is technically possible—they offer replaceable batteries in both earbuds and cases without sacrificing core functionality. Google’s half-step with the Pixel Buds 2a shows major manufacturers are starting to pay attention, but our poll results make it clear that partial solutions aren’t what consumers want.

Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Sony should take note: there’s overwhelming consumer demand for fully repairable wireless earbuds. Based on your responses, the path forward is clear. Now we need manufacturers to follow through. And if they don’t, the EU’s upcoming regulations requiring easier battery replacement in consumer devices might force their hand anyway.