The growing emphasis on repairability in the tech industry is fostering more sustainable products and extending their longevity. According to a 2021 YouGov survey, 81% of EU consumers support the right to repair, citing affordability as a key factor in keeping devices longer. Similarly, a 2022 Consumer Reports survey revealed that 84% of Americans favor repairability options, underscoring widespread consumer demand. This shift, driven by environmental and economic needs, has led companies to design devices with replaceable components and easy-to-access repair guides. This shift not only helps reduce costs for consumers by limiting frequent replacements but also contributes to reducing global e-waste, which reached a record 62 million tons globally in 2022. By focusing on repairability, the tech industry is making strides toward empowering consumers and advancing global sustainability efforts.
Finding the Repairability Path
This momentum around repairability sets the perfect backdrop for collaborations aimed at practical solutions. In recent years, we’ve been fortunate to work together with Logitech to analyze the repairability of popular over-ear headphone designs and help target areas for improvement. Top priorities included making essential components like ear pads, headbands, batteries, and mic booms modular and easily user-replaceable—ensuring that users can maintain their gear with minimal fuss. Even though these consistently rank among the most common critical repairs, a lot of modern headphone designs don’t accommodate them at all.
Fortunately, Logitech was already hard at work producing some headphone designs that tackled a lot of these problems head-on. The Logitech G733, launched in 2020, embodies these repair-friendly features which you can see in our repair guides (except for the mic boom, which just unplugs). From easily detachable ear pads to a simple four-step battery replacement process—no soldering required—the G733 is designed for ease of maintenance, empowering users to handle repairs confidently.
One of our favorite parts of the G733 design is the replaceable headband. Since it’s designed to be swapped out, you can opt to replace it with one that’s more your style. If the strap gets worn or damaged, or you just want something that pops a little more, you’ve got options and can easily order a new strap directly from Logitech.
Another headset that enables a different kind of customization through repair is designed for the classroom: the Logitech Zone Learn. This headset is made for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, which can be a taxing environment for head-mounted hardware. So, Logitech designed for durability as well as repairability, and in the process they made the hardware customizable and configurable for different use cases.
Students (and teachers) have different preferences for ear pad styles. The Zone Learn offers both on-ear and over-ear options with a simple twist-lock mechanism to swap out ear pads. This flexibility allows teachers to tailor the headsets to the specific needs of their students, whether for focused learning or broader awareness.
The Zone Learn also features swappable cords, allowing for quick replacements or adaptations to different devices. This modularity, combined with customizable ear pads, means each headset can be easily configured in multiple ways, ensuring it meets the unique needs of any classroom—and that it will survive beyond the first ripped cable or worn ear pad.
More Options for Parts
When repairability, and thus modularity, are key features of the product’s design, replacement parts are often easier to find. This means you’ll be able to get authentic parts directly from OEMs (or from reputable vendors like us) instead of having to scour the shady corners of the internet just to find a compatible part or dumpster dive for another unit to salvage from. This is another area where we’re happy to see OEMs like Logitech making strides. It’s great when batteries and ear pads are replaceable, but without readily available spare parts, repair can be pretty tough.
To support Logitech’s continued efforts to make their devices repairable and customizable, we’re expanding our offering of parts and guides. This includes the G Pro Mouse, G502 Hero Mouse, G502 Lightspeed Mouse, G305 Mouse, G PRO X Mouse, G915 Keys, G Pro Headset, G Pro X Headset, G935 Headset, and more.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The partnership between iFixit and Logitech is built on a shared vision: creating a world where technology is more repairable and accessible. By providing the tools and knowledge needed to repair devices, we’re not just extending the life of individual products—we’re fostering a culture of self-reliance where consumers are empowered to maintain and upgrade their technology with confidence.
Visit the Logitech Repair Hub to keep your devices running like new.
One Comment
if only opening their mice doesn't involve prying out the feet 🚮
Edho Arief - Reply