The Fairphone Fairbuds XL (2023 version) are closed-back over-ear headphones with a unique modular design. With an eye to sustainability, they're constructed from materials like recycled plastic, vegan leather, and repurposed aluminum. Almost all of their components are replaceable, continuing in the spirit of Fairphone's other products, which include the Fairphone Fairbuds and their series of eponymous modular smartphones. Unique selling points aside, they offer a feature set that aims to keep abreast with flagship offerings from bigger manufacturers like Sony and Bose. There are ANC and Ambient Sound features, along with Bluetooth multi-device pairing and support for high-resolution codecs like aptX HD.
Our Verdict
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are good for neutral sound. They're capable of reproducing powerful bass that doesn't overwhelm the well-balanced mids. Basslines and kicks are present without being in your face, while there's plenty of detail and nuance in the presentation of vocals and lead instruments. The inconsistent treble range can render sibilants as harsh or dull, depending on their timbre, though. Their large, deep ear cups can interfere with audio delivery, as users with long hair or glasses will struggle to achieve a solid seal. Like many other closed-back over-ears, they struggle to produce an immersive, wide soundstage.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Great full-range noise isolation.
- 28 hours of battery life with ANC on.
- Support for SBC, AAC and aptX HD codecs.
- Disappointing passive soundstage.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are decent for commuting and travel. They're quite comfortable, and their ANC does a solid job of attenuating against external noise in airplanes and busy streets alike. Their great noise isolation isn't miles behind offerings from Bose or Sony, but these headphones won't hermetically seal you from the world either. Battery life comes in at a respectable 28 hours with ANC on, which will be enough to get you through the most arduous, connection-riddled flight. It certainly helps to be able to purchase a new battery as soon as the stock one starts to lose capacity. That said, they're not the most portable headphones. They don't swivel to reduce their footprint, so they can take up a lot of space in bags and luggage.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Great full-range noise isolation.
- 28 hours of battery life with ANC on.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are decent for sports and fitness use. They're quite comfortable and are reasonably stable so they'll stay on your during a treadmill jog or some light stretches. Their headband can be a little slippery though, so running in a heatwave may be a recipe for them sliding off your head. Otherwise, they're well-built, and their components are easily replaceable should you damage them on the trail or expose them to more water than their IP54 rating is capable of handling. Their controls are simple, intuitive, and can easily be adjusted even with sweaty fingers.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are satisfactory for office use. They're decently comfortable and won't leak enough audio to make you the office pariah (even if you tend to blast your tunes). Their 28-hour battery life will get you through most of the workweek without needing a recharge. They do a solid job of blocking out scraping chairs and water cooler talk, but if you require a state of meditative calm to be productive, it might be worth looking elsewhere.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Great full-range noise isolation.
- Disappointing passive soundstage.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
While you can connect the Fairphone Fairbuds XL to your PC or phone via Bluetooth, their latency is too high to be viable for wireless gaming.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are decent for wired gaming, though they're not really intended for this purpose. You can only connect them to PCs and PlayStation family consoles using their USB-C port, though there are potential workarounds for other devices using a USB-C to TRS cable. Latency is pretty low using this connection type, so your audio and visuals will remain in sync. They're comfortable enough for long gaming sessions, though you'll struggle to achieve consistent audio delivery if you have long hair or wear glasses.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Great full-range noise isolation.
- 28 hours of battery life with ANC on.
- Mic has poor noise handling.
- Disappointing passive soundstage.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL are okay for phone calls. The integrated mic's recording quality isn't the best, so your voice sounds hollow and bright, though understandable. Its noise-handling capabilities leave a lot to be desired, as moderately loud sounds will interfere with speech clarity, and louder sounds will easily eclipse your voice. That said, their great ANC system can ensure there's not much to distract you from the person on the other end.
- Unique and practical modular design.
- Great full-range noise isolation.
- Mic has poor noise handling.
- Inconsistent audio delivery if you have long hair or glasses.
Changelog
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Updated Dec 11, 2025:
We've updated Differences Between Variants to mention the Fairphone Fairbuds XL 2025 upgrade, which is likely to perform differently from our tested 2023 version.
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Updated Oct 23, 2024:
We referenced the Fairphone Fairbuds True Wireless in the Portability box.
- Updated Jul 24, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Jul 17, 2024: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL come in two color variants: 'Green' and 'Black'. We tested the 'Green' variant, but expect other variants to perform similarly. The brand released a newer version of the headphones in 2025 with an upgraded 40mm driver, which we haven't tested yet. We don't expect the headphones to perform the same.
If you encounter a different variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Fairphone Fairbuds XL have a unique, modular design that helps them stand out in the premium over-ears market. While we haven't tested any headphones with as many swappable components, comparisons can be drawn to the AIAIAI TMA-2 DJ headphones and the forthcoming Dyson OnTrac, both of which feature degrees of component customizability. For users who care about sustainable products and are looking for wireless over-ears, there aren't a lot of manufacturers out there that can make the same claims as Fairphone, though over-ears like the Apple AirPods Max opt for an aluminum-heavy construction that can be more durable and omits non-recyclable plastics. The Apple have a much better noise isolation performance but come with a premium price tag to match.
Check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones, the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, and the best over-ear headphones.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL are ostensibly both wireless over-ears equipped with ANC. That said, the Fairphone's modular design and sustainable construction will likely appeal to a different type of user: one that values being able to replace components when they fail. While Sennheiser sell some spare parts for the headphones online, the MOMENTUM 4 aren't quite as modular as the Fairphone. That said, they're more comfortable, and their ANC performs better across the full range and in common scenarios; plus, they feature a mammoth 62 hours of continuous battery life.
The Apple AirPods Max and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL are both wireless over-ears constructed from materials that are geared towards longevity. The Apple uses durable aluminum, metal, and silicone in its construction, while the Fairphone is made of recycled plastic and vegan leather. While the build quality of the Apple is higher, these headphones lack the Fairphone's modular, easily replaceable design. The two are similarly comfortable. That said, the Apple's premium price tag comes with a superior ANC performance that can isolate you more effectively against a range of sounds. They can pair seamlessly with Apple devices. The Fairphone headphones have a longer continuous battery life, though, which can come in handy on longer journeys.
The Sony ULT WEAR and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL are both over-ear headphones that have been designed with sustainability in mind. The Sony are constructed using recycled plastic, and there are no single-use plastics on the packaging either. That said, the Fairphone take this even further with a construction of recycled plastic, recycled aluminum, vegan leather, and Fairtrade gold. You can also replace most of their parts by ordering them from the Fairphone website. When it comes to sound, the Fairphone offer a much more balanced overall sound, while the Sony are bass-heavy (even with their ULT function disabled). The Sony are a bit more comfortable and better at attenuating against external noise.
The Fairphone Fairbuds and the Fairphone Fairbuds XL are both built out of easily repairable components and recycled materials. Both have great noise isolation. The choice comes down to your use case: the Fairbuds XL are over-ears and can be used wired, while the Fairbuds are small, portable earbuds that will still be comfortable during moderate exercise.
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