Table of Contents
Fairphone is a brand that is commonly connected with mobile devices that are both socially and environmentally responsible. These gadgets, such as the recently released Fairphone 4, buck the trend of irreparable phones that dominate the present technological landscape – or should that be landfill.– by making them modular, which enables virtually everything to be replaced. This is in contrast to the tendency of irreparable handsets that dominate the current technological landscape.
Even better, it will sell you the spare parts directly, saving you the trouble of searching eBay or AliExpress for knockoffs at low prices that may or may not be compatible with your device. Now, the company is shifting its focus to the market for over-ear headphones with the release of its Fairbuds XL headphones. The name of the product is a play on the word excel rather than a reference to its extra-large size.
Fairbuds XL Specifications
In an age where things are increasingly built to fail, the Fairbuds XL’s modular design is a breath of fresh air. However, that’s not all they do; in addition to good audio quality, they also do a respectable job of blocking out ambient noise.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Water Resistance | IPX7 water-resistant |
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Yes |
| Hands-Free Calling | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Charging Case | USB-C |
| Weight | Lightweight design |
Fairbuds XL: Design
The Fairbuds XL may be purchased from Fairphone in two different colour schemes. Most headphones are black, but if you want something a little more vibrant, you can get a set in green like the ones we have here. In addition to the two-tone design, the exterior of the ear cups include black, red, and white dapples that bring to mind Jackson Pollock and serve as a clue as to the headphones’ eco-friendly fabrication. You can buy this headphone from its official website
Fairbuds XL: Battery life
The battery life is roughly 26 hours with noise cancelling active. The USB-C charging port can also be used to connect a wired audio source, and a full charge takes roughly 2.5 hours. While the headphones themselves lack a 3.5mm analogue jack, Fairphone does provide a USB-C to 3.5mm cable as an optional extra for €12.95. With Bluetooth 5.1 and multipoint, the headphones can pair with two gadgets at once. The usual Bluetooth audio formats, such as SBC and AAC, are supported.
Price & Availability
The Fairbuds XL headphones were released on May 11; however, they are currently only accessible in mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. The price of £219/€249 (about $277) is comparable to that of other high-quality over-the-ear headphones with ANC. In this price bracket, they compete with the likes of the Sennheiser HD 450BT ($200/£150) and the excellent Razer Opus (about $269/£200), both of which also have ANC but lack the ethical advantages offered by Fairphone.
Final Words
The audio quality of the Fairbuds XL may not be on par with that of other high-end headphones from a purely technical standpoint, but it is nevertheless pleasurable and should satisfy the needs of the vast majority of consumers.
The battery life is excellent, and the ANC is above average, although it is not the best in its class. It’s a nice bundle that more than lives up to the expectations it sets for itself.
Fairbuds XL review: The good and The bad
The Fairbuds XL are multipoint-capable, which means they can be connected to and switched between two devices, such as a laptop and a smartphone. There is very little delay when switching between devices after initial setup is complete.
The Good
- Great sound
- Decent ANC
The Bad
- Some stitching issues
Questions and Answers
The Fairbuds XL have an IPX7 rating, so you may use them during sweaty workouts and trips to the park. They are waterproof for up to 30 minutes in water up to 1 meter deep.
The Fairbuds XL do, in fact, have active noise cancellation technology so that you can listen to music or take phone calls without any distractions.