PROS

• Magnetic ear cushions are best-in-class for serviceability.
• The mesh headband canopy is quickly removable, only needing a SIM eject tool.

CONS

• Internal access is tricky, with extensive adhesive, proprietary fasteners, and limited room to work.
• The battery, although modular, is deeply buried.
• Apart from ear cushions, Apple provides no repair parts or instructions.

Scorecard v2.3
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PROS

• Tool-free battery replacement and a fully modular headband design—including a separately replaceable cushion, structure, and crossover cable—sets a new standard.
• USB-C crossover connections simplify disassembly of the entire headphone into individual modules.
• Fairphone supports repair with thorough repair documentation and spare part selection.

CONS

• Replacing the charge port may compromise water resistance.

Scorecard v2.3
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PROS

• Fully modular internal design—the charge port, battery, drivers, and headband are all individually replaceable.
• Despite having top-notch ANC, no adhesives hinder common repairs.
• The battery is housed in a protective shell and secured with screws rather than adhesive.

CONS

• A finicky mic connector under a rubber seal complicates driver housing reassembly.
• Sony does not provide repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3
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PROS

• Twist-off ear cushions, a screwed-on headband cushion, and clearly marked battery compartments all make for straightforward repairs.
• Both batteries use standard connectors and are easily removable, secured only with mild adhesive.
• Marshall offers repair guidance for some components.

CONS

• The USB-C port is soldered to the main board.
• Although the drivers use simple connectors, connected ANC mic wires are soldered in place.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• The headband cushion can be replaced with some effort using basic tools.

CONS

• Ear cushions are glued on and a hassle to replace.
• The battery is firmly glued in place.
• Hot glue and soldered connections hamper charge port and driver repairs.
• Apple does not support Beats headphones with repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• The battery uses a standard connector and is easily removable, secured only with mild adhesive.
• Ear cushions and driver housings are straightforward to access with basic tools.

CONS

• The USB-C port is soldered to the main board alongside all buttons, rendering replacement impractical.
• The headband cushion is integrated and inaccessible due to a soldered crossover cable.
• JBL does not provide repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• The driver uses spring contacts and can be separated from its housing, a notable design for this price range.
• The battery is accessible and uses a standard connector.
• Snap-in ear cushions are simple to replace.

CONS

• The USB-C port is soldered to the main board.
• The headband cushion is glued and integrated, with a soldered crossover cable.
• JBL does not provide repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• Snap-in ear cushions are simple to replace with a basic pry tool.

CONS

• The battery is soldered to the main board, making replacements much more difficult than necessary.
• Hot glue over solder joints adds extra steps and heating to driver-related repairs.
• The USB-C port and headband cushion are both effectively inaccessible.
• Apart from ear cushions, Anker provides no repair parts or instructions.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• The battery can be replaced with some effort using basic tools.

CONS

• Ear cushions are glued in with strong adhesive, making the most common headphone repair destructive and tedious.
• A complex path of clips and glue stands in the way of most repairs; reassembly is difficult. 
• Apple does not support Beats headphones with repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• Tool-free battery replacement and a fully modular headband design—including a separately replaceable cushion, structure, and crossover cable—sets a new standard.
• USB-C crossover connections simplify disassembly of the entire headphone into individual modules.
• Fairphone supports repair with thorough repair documentation and spare part selection.

CONS

• Replacing the charge port may compromise water resistance.

Scorecard v2.3
Learn More

PROS

• Showercap-style ear cushions are replaceable without tools (if a little tricky to install).

CONS

• Battery leads are soldered, and the charge port is integrated into the main board.
• Hot glue and soldered connections hamper repairs to the headband and drivers.
• Skullcandy does not provide repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• The battery uses a standard connector and secures only with mild adhesive, making replacements straightforward.
• Snap-on ear cushions are easier to reinstall than on comparable models thanks to a stiffer edge.

CONS

• The USB-C port is soldered to the main board.
• Driver and ANC mic wires are soldered to the board in each earcup, hampering repairs.
• The headband cushion is integrated, and removing the headband requires extensive desoldering.
• Sony does not provide repair manuals or spare parts.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• Snap-in ear cushions can be replaced without tools.
• The headband cushion and charge port can be replaced using basic tools.

CONS

• The battery is firmly glued in place, and the driver connections are soldered to the main board.
• Apart from ear cushions, Sennheiser provides no repair parts or instructions.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• Bayonet-mount ear cushions and a clip-in headband cushion make the two most wear-prone parts easy to replace, with how-to videos available from B&O.
• The battery is easily removable with a standard connector and mild adhesive.

CONS

• Drivers are sealed into their housings and must be replaced as a unit.
• The USB-C port is soldered to the main board.

Scorecard v2.3

PROS

• Magnetic ear cushions are best-in-class for serviceability.
• The mesh headband canopy is quickly removable, only needing a SIM eject tool.

CONS

• Internal access is tricky, with extensive adhesive, proprietary fasteners, and limited room to work.
• The battery, although modular, is deeply buried.
• Apart from ear cushions, Apple provides no repair parts or instructions.

Scorecard v2.3
Learn More