Best Eco-Friendly Headphones and Speakers 2023

February 2024 · 11 minute read

Nothing beats a good ol' listen to some of your favorites, whether it's music, podcasts, or audiobooks. But for the environmentally conscious buyer, you may wish to limit the amount of plastic-based and packaged audio products you use. Much of this non-recyclable packaging ends up going to landfills, and some devices themselves are not manufactured with sustainable materials.

However, the good news is there are now plenty of options to explore if you're looking for great audio devices that are more eco-friendly. Many of these are manufactured from recycled waste materials, or sustainable wood materials, and come wrapped in 100% recyclable packaging.

Solar-powered products allow us to be a little more energy efficient, and other devices that help us monitor our ongoing energy consumption mean we can pay it forward, too. And the great news is that many of these companies also support not-for-profit organizations in crucial reforestation initiatives and other climate-friendly pledges.

Here are our picks for the best eco-friendly audio devices available today.

Our Favorite Eco-Friendly Audio Devices in 2023

House of Marley Exodus ANC: Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Best Overall

Premium comfort and sound

House of Marley's ANC Noise-Canceling Headphones uses sustainable and recycled materials to deliver high-end wireless sound with impressive battery life.

ProsConsSee at Amazon$365 at Newegg

House of Marley has produced a fine line of audio products made from sustainable materials, and their Exodus ANC Wireless Headphones with Bluetooth could be the jewel in their sustainable crown. They use 50-millimeter high-definition drivers to deliver plenty of power and bass and provide 28 hours of battery life with ANC engaged, and a massive 80 hours without.

Besides the excellent audio quality, the Exodos supports fast charging, with six hours of battery power from just a 15-minute charge. An onboard microphone and Monitor Mode also make it great for voice calls and support voice commands. The earcups and headband padding are made from luxurious memory foam, making this headset comfortable to wear for hours on end, so you can properly immerse yourself in your music.

These eco-friendly headphones are made from a combination of sustainable products, including FSC-certified wood and recyclable aluminum. They are packaged in 100% recyclable material, and House of Marley’s eco-conscious identity contributes to the non-profit efforts of the One Tree Planted organization, in the worldwide effort of planting trees. With credentials like this, plus premium ANC sound, the House of Marley Exodus is a superb choice of headphones for eco-friendly audiophiles.

Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbud Headphones
Best Earbuds

Lightweight and sustainable

$150 $200 Save $50

Sony LinkBud S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds automatically adapt to your listening habits, optimizing settings to give you the perfect sound for every moment.

ProsConsSee at Amazon$150 at Best Buy

Sony might not be the first company that springs to mind when thinking about eco-friendly devices crafted from sustainably sourced or recycled materials. However, the Sony Linkbud S Truly Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds are just that. These Bluetooth earbuds have Alexa built-in and are made from factory-recovered plastic and reclaimed water bottles.

They have a distinctive marbled earth-blue color as a result of their core materials, which makes them stand out from the crowd. They switch easily between noise-canceling or ambient mode, and adaptive smart sound learns as you listen, automating sound settings for your chosen vibes. Enjoy crystal clear voice calls, and pair with two Bluetooth-enabled devices at once for extra convenience.

Six hours of battery life can be extended to 20 with the charging case, and IPX4 splash and sweat-proofing make them ideal for the gym too. These excellent earbuds also employ plastic-free packaging, which is the icing on the cake for sustainability. Sony’s LinkBud S Earbuds may come with a considerable price tag but should be applauded for their innovation nonetheless. They look and sound cool and have all the functionality you would expect from a high-end pair of earbuds.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) with Clock
Best Smart Speaker

Making smart homes even smarter

$40 $60 Save $20

Let the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Generation help you run a tight ship at home, setting alarms, reminders, timers, and more to help you keep life on track.

ProsCons$50 at Amazon$40 at Best Buy

Another great eco-friendly product for consideration is Amazon’s Echo Dot 5th Generation Smart Speaker. This household favorite is made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled yarn and 55 percent post-consumer recycled plastics. And its 100 percent recyclable packaging helps make it even more of an environmentally-friendly prospect.

Compared with previous generations of Echo Dot, Generation 5 boasts a new LED display, clearer vocals, richer bass, and more vibrant sound for your chosen music, audiobooks, and podcasts. Pair with other Alexa-enabled devices at home to enjoy an interconnected network that syncs with your daily routine. Set timers, alarms, reminders, intercom functions, and more, to make the running of your home as automated as possible.

Multiple layers of privacy control have been built-in with a mic-off function to help protect your privacy and deliver peace of mind. There’s a low-power mode to help reduce energy consumption, and you can track your energy usage in the Alexa app, too.

House of Marley Get Together 2 Mini Portable Speaker
Best for Parties

Get that beach party pumping with this bamboo Bluetooth speaker

The House of Marley Get Together 2 is lightweight and portable and offers the perfect way to party with your friends wherever you are.

ProsCons$140 at Amazon

Another offering from House of Marley to get the party started is the House of Marley Get Together 2 Mini, a portable wireless speaker with Bluetooth. It is crafted from a blend of sustainable and recycled materials that includes bamboo, premium REWIND fabric, REGRINDS silicone, and aluminum. Plus, its plastic-free packaging is 100% recyclable too.

This party speaker delivers 20 watts of power and features a Bass Boost Mode, along with Acoustic and Marley Signature Sound EQs, to get everyone grooving. It’s lightweight at just 2.20 pounds and easily portable, plus it's IP67 dust and water-resistant too. Perfect for a day on the beach. It has a decent Bluetooth range of around 30 feet and will run for approximately 15 hours on a full charge.

The bamboo and mesh fabric design is very aesthetically pleasing and gives the product a streamlined elegance. Simple controls make it easy to switch between sound modes, and USB-C fast charging means you won’t have to wait too long for the next session either. Supporting non-profit reforestation initiatives too, House of Marley’s products are a showcase for eco-friendly audio devices. And the Get Together 2 Mini is ideal for summer days with family and friends.

JBL Flip 5 Bluetooth Speaker
Best Waterproof Option

Great sound fit for a swim

$72 $130 Save $58

The JBL FLIP 5 Bluetooth speaker is IPX7 waterproof and loves basking near the water, like a bassy hippopotamus.

ProsCons$72 at Amazon$90 at Best Buy

A punchy little portable speaker, the JBL FLIP 5 is a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that’s made entirely from recycled plastic. It’s available in a dazzling range of different colors and provides up to 12 hours of playtime on a full charge. IPX7 is waterproof up to three feet, and it doesn’t mind the gray sky, either.

A rugged design means you can take this speaker just about anywhere, from the campsite to the water park. And for its size, you may be surprised at just how good the sound output is too. Plus, you can easily pair two together for stereo sound, too. Or go nuts and pair multiple JBL FLIP 5s together to amp things up, should the occasion demand it!

On the downside, there’s no microphone built-in to the FLIP 5, so it can’t be used to make or take calls. But depending on your point of view, this may be a blessing rather than a curse. This minor inconvenience aside, the JBL FLIP 5 is a brilliantly versatile portable Bluetooth speaker that sounds great and offers an eco-friendly option for buyers to consider.

Victrola Re-Spin Sustainable Suitcase Vinyl Record Player
Best for Vinyl

A good case for keeping things vinyl

$74 $100 Save $26

Play and stream your favorite old or new school vinyl with the Victrola Re-Spin Sustainable Suitcase Vinyl Record Player.

ProsCons$74 at Amazon$100 at Best Buy

Sneaking in under the radar, the Victrola Re-Spin Suitcase Vinyl Record Player is an eco-friendly alternative for people who like to stay home to enjoy their music. That’s because this Bluetooth turntable is made from 25 percent recycled plastic, with 100 percent recyclable packaging. Its three-speed turntable supports 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm, and can therefore comfortably accommodate everyone’s vinyl collection.

With its integrated Bluetooth speaker, you can also use this record player to stream your favorite tracks from your phone or use an external Bluetooth speaker to stream your vinyl, using the built-in vinyl stream technology. An anti-vibration design helps to prevent skipping and makes the player a bit more portable when being carried by its handle.

The Re-Spin is 20 percent smaller and lighter than other suitcase-style turntables but still produces a decent amount of bass for its size. The closeable casing does a good job of protecting the player for the most part, and in standing mode, the lid can be detached and used as a vinyl rack for five of your favorite LPs. A neat space-saving design for vinyl enthusiasts young and old, and with some eco-friendly credentials to boot.

Urbanista Phoenix Solar Powered Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds
Best Solar-Powered

As long as the sun shines, your earbuds won't run out of power

$99 $149 Save $50

The Urbanista Phoenix Solar Powered Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds provide a virtually endless amount of wireless charge for your listening pleasure.

ProsCons$99 at Amazon$161 at Newegg

The Urbanista Phoenix Solar Powered Hybrid Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds harness a near-inexhaustible energy source to provide endless power for listeners on the go. Being solar-powered, these earbuds are naturally more energy efficient and therefore more eco–friendly too. Their self-charging case constantly recharges itself when exposed to the light, meaning you never have to run out of juice.

Once fully charged, each earbud provides eight hours of power, with 34 extra hours in reserve from the case. But with the case being solar-powered, you should find this is kept topped up at all times. Each earbud can be used independently and can be used for voice calls and voice assistant commands. IPX4 sweat and water resistance mean they can be used in the rain or at the gym with no worries, and multipoint wireless Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity means you can pair with two devices at the same time.

Hybrid active noise-cancelation and white noise-reducing microphones work together to block out ambient noise and background sounds to keep things sounding crisp and clear. And the Urbanista Audio App allows you to follow your battery gain and drain in real-time, as well as enabling you to tweak your audio settings. Overall, the Urbanista Phoenix is an impressive eco-friendly alternative to other earbuds, with plenty of premium features.

What to Look for With Eco-Friendly Audio

Eco-friendly audio devices come in all shapes and sizes. So no matter if you're looking for headphones, earbuds, speakers, record players, or a combination, there's a surprising amount of choice. And it's a positive to know that the product you choose is made from recycled or sustainably sourced materials and that you're helping make a difference.

With a product like the House of Marley Exodus, you're getting the best of all worlds. In terms of their eco-friendly credentials, they're made from a combination of recycled and sustainably sourced materials. It's a climate-pledge-friendly product (and company) that supports vital conservation work by non-profit organizations.

In terms of its functionality, they provide premium high-quality audio and excellent noise cancelation. They also have a great battery life (outstanding with noise-cancelation disabled) and support fast charging too. Built-in noise-canceling mics make them a good choice for voice calls, and memory foam padding makes them comfortable to wear all day as well. It contains all the functionality you would expect from high-performance wireless headphones, with the added bonus of being an eco-friendly choice.

House of Marley Exodus ANC: Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
Best Overall

Premium comfort and sound

House of Marley's ANC Noise-Canceling Headphones uses sustainable and recycled materials to deliver high-end wireless sound with impressive battery life.

ProsConsSee at Amazon$365 at Newegg

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