Industry Science Popularization
Are removable batteries in Bluetooth earbuds a useless feature?
January 10, 2026 Edited by: Wu Mingying
Are removable batteries in Bluetooth earbuds just a useless feature? Behind this debate lies a significant shift in the consumer electronics industry—as environmental demands rise and technology advances, the removable design of rechargeable lithium-ion button batteries is evolving from an “option” to a “necessity.” Widely used in devices like Bluetooth earbuds, smartwatches, and small sensors, the removable design of these compact batteries not only addresses user pain points but also aligns with the global wave of green technology development.
Battery life is crucial. The core value of a removable design lies primarily in addressing the “battery life bottleneck” of electronic devices. Currently, most devices powered by button batteries use integrated packaging. Once the battery degrades, users face either costly official repairs or discarding the entire device. Some users have complained that replacing batteries in Sony Bluetooth earbuds requires a heat gun and a blade, taking hours and risking device damage. In contrast, the removable design allows ordinary users to easily replace batteries with common tools, significantly reducing usage costs.
Data shows that Bluetooth earbuds with non-removable batteries have an average lifespan of just 3-4 years, while devices supporting battery replacement can extend their lifespan to over 6 years, effectively reducing resource waste.
Environmental pressure is the key driver behind this trend. Globally, over 50 million tons of electronic waste are generated annually, with small electronic devices containing button batteries accounting for a significant portion. Due to the difficulty in separating these batteries, the recycling rate for such devices remains below 30%.
Once rechargeable lithium-ion button batteries become removable, the recovery rate of rare metals like nickel and cobalt can exceed 95%. Materials extracted from each recycled battery are sufficient to manufacture one new battery. The EU’s New Battery Law mandates that all portable electronic devices entering the EU market after 2027 must feature user-replaceable batteries that can be safely removed without specialized tools or technical expertise. This regulation is compelling global manufacturers to adjust their design approaches.
After disassembly, the recovery rate of rare metals such as nickel and cobalt can be increased to over 95%. Materials extracted from each recycled battery are sufficient to manufacture one new battery. The EU’s New Battery Law explicitly mandates that after 2027, all portable electronic devices entering the EU market must feature user-replaceable batteries that can be safely disassembled without specialized tools or technical expertise. This regulation is compelling global manufacturers to adjust their design approaches.
Technological breakthroughs have freed detachable designs from the “performance sacrifice” stigma. Previously, detachable designs were often synonymous with bulkiness and poor water resistance. However, modular technology has now achieved new milestones: Fairphone’s wireless earbuds connect to batteries via magnetic contacts, supporting 100,000 plug-and-unplug cycles without degradation; new sealing materials enable detachable devices to maintain IP67-rated protection; Standardized interface designs resolve battery incompatibility issues across brands. These innovations ensure removable batteries match integrated designs in portability and safety, definitively dispelling the notion that they are “useless.”