A new article from The Verge reports that user-replaceable batteries may be making a significant comeback across many consumer technology products. The shift is being driven largely by European Union regulations that will require many portable electronic devices to be designed so that users can remove and replace batteries with basic tools, or with specialized tools provided for free with the product.

The upcoming rules are expected to affect products such as headphones, e-readers, laptops, portable game consoles, and other battery-powered devices. Manufacturers will also be required to make compatible spare batteries available for at least five years. Smartphones and tablets are handled under separate EU rules, and some devices may qualify for exemptions if they meet certain durability and waterproofing standards.

For consumers, this issue is bigger than batteries alone. A dead or weak battery has often meant replacing an entire device, even when the rest of the product still works. Easier battery replacement could help people keep products longer, reduce waste, and make repair a more practical alternative to buying new.

The article notes that some companies are already moving in this direction. Fairphone has long emphasized repairable products, while newer headphones and other devices are beginning to appear with battery access designed for ordinary users. Still, there is uncertainty over whether all consumers, especially those outside the European Union, will benefit from the same product designs.

For Replacement.com, this is an important consumer trend: replacement does not always mean replacing the whole product. Sometimes the smartest replacement is the part that keeps the original product working.

Source: Dominic Preston, “User-replaceable batteries are coming back in a big way,” The Verge, May 31, 2026.

Original article: https://www.theverge.com/column/939026/user-replaceable-batteries-eu-european-union-legislation