Some premium headphones last well over a decade.
Now, if you own a Beats or are planning to buy one…
You’re surely curious if it’s among those durable headphones.
Well, you don’t have to wonder now.
I’ve got all the answers for you.
Continue reading to find out:
- How long Beats headphones actually last on average.
- 3 surprising facts about the lifespan of Beats headphones.
- What you can do to make your Beats headphones last longer.
- And a lot more…
Do Beats headphones break easily?
Beats headphones break easily because of poor design. In addition, their manufacturer also uses subpar materials to make them. And among the parts of a Beats headphone, the most fragile is the headband. It’s purely made of plastic. Thus, it doesn’t require much force to snap it in half.
Why do Beats headphones break so easily?
Beats headphones break so easily because they’re mostly made of cheap plastic. And the rest of the materials used in making these headphones aren’t durable. In fact, based on estimates, Beats only spends about $20 for each device it makes. That’s less than 10% of the actual selling price.
Back in 2015, 2 separate tech websites, Gizmodo and Bolt, did a teardown of a Beats headphone.
Their goal was to find out why Beats devices perform badly despite their expensive price.
The result?
It turned out that Beats headphones are made of sub-standard materials.
The plastics the manufacturer used easily broke.
And there were metals that served no purpose. They’re only there to add weight and make the gadget appear more premium.
Bolt writer Ben Einstein even went as far as researching the price of every part of the headphone.
And based on his calculations…
The total cost of the parts only amounts to $20.19.
In contrast, Beats are selling their headphones for about $300 to $400 each. Do the math, and you’ll see that it’s over 10 times the estimated production cost.
So in short, Beats headphones break easily due to poor-quality materials. And it’s likely because the company would rather maximize its profits.
Further reading: 11 Reasons Why Beats Headphones Are So Expensive
How long do Beats headphones last?
Beats headphones last around 4 to 5 years on average. And with proper care and maintenance, you can extend it for a few more years. However, some parts of Beats headphones, like the headband or the ear pads, break down much sooner.
Now, some of you may think 4 to 5 years is fine.
But when you consider how much Beats headphones are selling…
Their average lifespan is rather disappointing.
Take the other premium headphone brands, for example.
Sennheiser and Beyerdynamics products aren’t cheap by any means. Most of their models are just as expensive as Beats.
But their headphones are worth it because they last much longer. On average, the lifespan of Sennheiser and Beyerdynamics devices goes beyond a decade.
So you’re really getting your money’s worth with them, unlike with Beats.
How to make your Beats headphone last longer
To make your Beats headphones last longer, ensure that you perform proper maintenance. Place them in their case when you’re not using it. And don’t expose it to extreme weather. Moreover, you should also clean it regularly. And limit the amount of time you use it.
As I’ve mentioned, Beats headphones don’t last as long as other brands.
However, there are still things you can do to extend your Beats’ lifespan. And I’ll be going over each one so you can enjoy using your device longer.
#1: Store your Beats headphones properly
Since your Beats headphone is rather fragile…
It’s important that you place it in its case as soon as you’re done using it. Don’t just leave it lying around in your house.
Moreover, you should also use the case whenever you’re traveling with it.
Some people tend to just carry their Beats device in their backpacks without a case. That should be a no-no.
Bags like backpacks get banged up a lot. Especially in crowded places.
So there’s a risk of your Beats device getting damaged inside if you don’t store it in a case.
#2: Don’t overstretch the headbands
One trick that those with sensitive ears do with their headphones is to stretch the headband.
They usually do that by placing their headphone onto an object. And they leave it there for several days.
Doing so eases the clamping force of the device. And it makes the headphone more comfortable to wear.
However, because the headbands of Beats are made of plastic…
If you try to stretch it, you may end up breaking it in half. So avoid doing that.
In addition, when wearing your Beats headphones…
Don’t pull the ear cups apart too much. Again, this is to minimize the risk of snapping the plastic headbands.
#3: Avoid maximizing the volume
Are you one of those who enjoy jamming to extremely loud music on your headphones?
If you are, then I strongly suggest that you reconsider your habit.
For one, turning up your headphone’s volume to max level is terrible for your ears. You run the risk of damaging your hearing.
And let me tell you…
Noise-induced hearing loss can be permanent in some cases.
But aside from that…
Listening to audio at max volume level can also cause your headphones to blow out.
This is because you’re overworking the headphone’s internal parts when you turn up the volume.
And it can sometimes lead to overheating and eventual damage.
Ideally, the volume should not exceed 60%. This is a piece of advice by many ear specialists.
And keeping the audio volume that low will not only spare your ears from potential damage…
You also get to extend the lifespan of your Beats headphones.
#4: Clean your Beats headphones regularly
With frequent usage, your Beats headphones will eventually a build-up of the following:
- Dust.
- Sweat.
- Ear wax.
And those elements will only shorten the lifespan of your headphones if you don’t clean them up.
That’s why regular cleaning is also a must if you want your Beats to last longer.
You may use disinfecting wipes and a microfiber cloth. Just gently wipe the ear pads and the headband with them.
And ensure that you do it regularly. How often to clean would, of course, depend on your usage.
If you’re using your Beats daily, then you should clean it at least once or twice a month.
Now, if you’d also like a visual guide on how to clean a Beats headphone…
You may check out this video below:
#5: Don’t expose your Beats headphones to extreme conditions
As I mentioned, the materials used in Beats aren’t exactly durable. They’re not designed to withstand extreme heat or cold.
So avoid using your Beats when the weather is less than ideal.
If it’s too hot or humid, you run the risk of overheating your headphone.
And in cold weather, moisture may build up inside the device. And that can be detrimental to the internal parts.
In addition, while Beats have some water resistance in them…
They’re not water and sweat-proof.
So it’s best to just refrain from using them during workouts where you’ll likely sweat a lot.
Beats headphones lifespan – 3 surprising facts
#1: Beats headphones last around 4 to 5 years on average
Beats headphones are bad in many aspects. But it doesn’t mean they’ll just break down in less than a year.
In fact, based on feedback from users…
Beats headphones can last up to 5 years. Some are even saying that they were able to use their Beats for up to 7 years.
But while its 4 to 5-year lifespan is decent enough…
It’s more comparable to entry and mid-level headphones. Those that are much cheaper than Beats.
Premium headphones from brands like Sony are much more durable than Beats.
#2: Beats headphones’ batteries only last 2 to 3 years
While a Beats headphone itself can last around 5 years…
The batteries are another story.
Modern Beats headphones use a pair of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. And these only last about 2 to 3 years.
The good thing is these batteries are relatively affordable. They only cost $20 each.
However, the installation process is a bit tricky. So it’s best to take it to a service center where an expert can properly install the new batteries.
You might be interested in: (7 Fixes) Beats Headphones Not Turning On
#3: The ear pads are usually the first to deteriorate
Beats headphones use synthetic leather as an ear pad cover.
And this material shows signs of wear and tear much sooner than other headphone parts.
You’ll notice that the ear pad cover will start peeling off within about a year or 2. And it could be sooner than that if you’re using your Beats a lot.
And worse, Beats didn’t design the ear pads to come off. They’re glued to the ear cups. So you can’t just simply take them out and replace them.
Moreover, Beats don’t sell replacement ear pads.
Your only option is to go to 3rd party stores. You can find shops online that sell and install replacement Beats ear pads. An example is Joe’s Gadget and Electronics.
BONUS: The headband is the most fragile
I did mention that the headband of Beats headphones is made of cheap plastic material.
And because of that, it’s also the most fragile among the headphone parts.
There are many who’ve had the headband snap within 1 year of usage. And they had to resort to using glue or duct tape to fix it.
So if you own a Beats headphone…
You have to be extra careful whenever you wear it. Ensure that you don’t stretch it too much when putting it on.