Best RepairableElectronics
Repairable electronics have moved from niche to mainstream. Framework (laptops) and Fairphone (phones) are genuinely designed for decades of use through modular parts and open repair ecosystems.
TL;DR - Top BIFL Electronics
Framework Laptop 13 - 10/10 iFixit, modular ports, cross-gen upgrades
Fairphone 5 (EU) - 10/10 iFixit, 8-year software, 5-year warranty
Sennheiser HD 600 - 20+ year lifespans, every part replaceable
Vitamix 5200 - USA-made, 20-30 year common lifespan
Repairable Laptops
Framework Laptop 13
Framework
Taiwan (Compal ODM)
10/10
Excellent
7-10 years via standard PC platform
Best for: Forever laptop users, developers, Linux enthusiasts
- First 10/10 iFixit score
- Modular ports
- Cross-gen upgrades
- QR-coded guides
- Young company risk
- Price premium
Framework Laptop 16
Framework
Taiwan
10/10
Excellent
7-10 years
Best for: Power users, gamers wanting serviceable big-screen laptop
- Modular GPU
- RGB modules
- Full parts store
- GPU modules expensive ($600-800)
- More complex than 13"
Lenovo ThinkPad T-Series
Lenovo
Used: ~$400
China/Mexico
9.3/10 (new models)
Excellent
5+ years drivers, longer with Linux
Best for: Buy-used BIFL strategy, corporate environments
- Decades of parts availability
- iFixit collaboration
- Field serviceable
- Some components soldered
- Not as modular as Framework
Repairable Phones
Fairphone 5
Fairphone
China (audited supply chains)
10/10
Excellent
8 years security updates, 5 Android versions
Best for: EU/UK users prioritizing ethics and repairability
- Tool-less battery swap
- Modular everything
- 5-year warranty
- EU market only
- Mid-tier camera/SoC
Google Pixel 9
China/Vietnam/India
Mid-single digits
Good via iFixit partnership
7 years OS and security
Best for: Mainstream Android with long software support
- 7-year updates
- iFixit partnership
- Good parts access
- Glued/glass design
- DIY moderate difficulty
Apple iPhone 16
Apple
China/India
Reduced due to parts pairing
Controlled via self-repair program
6-7 years iOS, 8+ years security
Best for: Ecosystem priority over repair freedom
- Excellent software longevity
- Strong resale
- Parts pairing breaks features
- Expensive self-repair
- No Face ID DIY
BIFL Headphones
Sennheiser HD 600
Sennheiser
Romania (older: Ireland)
No glue, fully serviceable
Excellent - decades of support
Best for: Audiophiles wanting 20+ year headphones
- Legendary durability
- Full parts availability
- Easy DIY repairs
- Wired only
- Open-back (sound leak)
Beyerdynamic DT 770/880/990
Beyerdynamic
Germany (hand-built)
Professional studio tool design
Excellent
Best for: Studio work, closed-back needs (DT 770)
- Made in Germany
- Every part replaceable
- 20-30 year lifespans
- Some soldering for driver/cable
- Not wireless
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Audio-Technica
Asia
Consumer/pro hybrid
Good
Best for: Budget audiophile entry point
- Detachable cables
- Easy pad swaps
- Affordable
- Headband less modular than Senn/Beyer
BIFL Appliances
Vitamix 5200
Vitamix
USA (Ohio)
Excellent
7-10 years
Best for: Heavy home blending, 20-30 year lifespan
- Many 20+ year owners
- Full parts store
- Strong refurb market
- Base disassembly non-trivial
Miele Complete C3
Miele
Germany
Excellent
5-7 years on motors
Best for: 15-25 year vacuum, pro servicing
- German engineering
- Long-term parts
- Superior filtration
- Higher bag cost
- Pro repairs recommended
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
KitchenAid
USA
Excellent
1 year (but lasts decades)
Best for: Home bakers, re-grease every decade
- Huge parts ecosystem
- Well-documented repairs
- Classic design
- Newer models more plasticized
- Needs gearbox maintenance
Right to Repair Scorecard
Ratings from 1-5 based on parts availability, documentation, software support, and third-party/community ecosystem.
| Brand | Parts | Docs | Software | Ecosystem | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framework | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Model citizen for repairability |
| Fairphone | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | Industry-leading phone modularity |
| Lenovo ThinkPad | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | Rich FRU ecosystem |
| Google Pixel | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | iFixit partnership + 7-year updates |
| Sennheiser | 5/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 5/5 | Legendary HD series parts |
| Beyerdynamic | 5/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 5/5 | Made in Germany, full serviceability |
| Vitamix | 5/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 4/5 | Long warranties, great refurb market |
| Miele | 5/5 | 3/5 | N/A | 4/5 | German-built, strong service network |
| Apple | 3/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | Great SW support, parts pairing kills DIY |
| Dyson | 3/5 | 2/5 | N/A | 2/5 | Anti-repair batteries, ended 3P repairs |
Brands to Avoid for BIFL
Dyson: Ended third-party repair partnerships, uses anti-repair battery electronics. Microsoft Surface: iFixit scores as low as 1/10, glued screens. Apple: Great software support, but parts pairing increasingly hostile to independent repair.
10-Year Cost Comparison
| Scenario | Upfront | Lifespan | 10-Year Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposable flagship phone every 2 years | $800 | 2+ years | $4000 | Typical upgrade cycle |
| Fairphone 5 + 2 batteries + 1 screen | $750 | 10+ years | $950 | 5-year warranty, 8-year software |
| Sealed ultrabook every 4 years | $1200 | 4+ years | $3600 | Battery/SSD failures, obsolescence |
| Framework + 1 battery + SSD upgrade | $1100 | 10+ years | $1350 | 10+ years with upgrades |