Reviews & Articles

Shedding light on the most durable (and shoddy) products. Read our independent reviews, advice on living a calmer, less wasteful life, plus the latest news about our mission to end throwaway culture.

Fairphone 6 Redefines Smartphone Durability

Fairphone 6 Redefines Smartphone Durability

The Fairphone 6 is redefining smartphone durability with a modular design, 8-year software support, and twelve easily replaceable parts - no glue required. It offers strong performance and a minimalist mode for mindful use. This device makes sustainability practical without compromise.

The Fast Fashion Reckoning: Why Shein's Tariff Troubles Might Be Just What We Need

The Fast Fashion Reckoning: Why Shein's Tariff Troubles Might Be Just What We Need

I was sitting cross-legged on my living room floor this morning, needle and thread in hand, tackling the crotch of my husband's cycling trousers for the second time (a particularly...
The Longest Lasting Headphones - Will These Kill Bose & Apple?

The Longest Lasting Headphones - Will These Kill Bose & Apple?

Ever wondered why headphones seem designed to expire just as you fall head over ears for them? Yeah, us too. Thankfully, Repeat Audio co-founders Tom Leenders and Dorus Galama aren't...
Most relaible kettle uk 2025

The Most Reliable Kettle in The UK 2025 - And Why Do Kettles Break Anyway?

Our research into the most reliable kettles 2025 

SO we’ve boiled down the data (pun very much intended) to reveal the most common kettle failure points, why they happen, and which brands are actually doing something about it.

A pile of discarded AI robots, broken and tangled, symbolising the urgent need for sustainable and repairable design in robotics.

The AI Robots are Coming... But What Shape Will They Be?

It’s 2033, and you’re drive into your local dump. Getting out of your car, you stare out at by far the biggest pile of rubbish in the place -  an...
Solidteknics: Beyond Traditional Carbon Steel and Cast Iron Cookware

Solidteknics: Beyond Traditional Carbon Steel and Cast Iron Cookware

If you've been hunting online for "SolidTeknics carbon steel" or "SolidTeknics cast iron," you're not alone. But Solidteknics is neither of those things... and that's precisely what makes these pans special. 

SolidTeknics AUS-ION isn't traditional carbon steel or cast iron - it's what happens when clever engineers decide to solve all the problems of both materials at once.

Made from 100% Australian wrought iron, these seamless one-piece pans deliver the heat retention of cast iron at half the weight, with the quick-heating properties of carbon steel but none of the warping issues.

Breaking In: A Change of the Guard in the Bootmaking World

Breaking In: A Change of the Guard in the Bootmaking World

Shoe giant Timberland long stood as a bastion of quality within the throwaway world of fashion. As its standards have slipped, industry rivals refuse to pick up the slack. The mainstream of the shoe industry is banking on customers accepting a new normal.

Introducing: Thought Clothing

Introducing: Thought Clothing

Warmer climes and (slightly) sunnier skies are finally here. Summer travels beckon and the sartorial challenge of summer dressing while avoiding non-stop beach wear must be attended to. Look no further than our July spotlight brand, Thought Clothing (formerly Braintree Clothing).

The BuyMeOnce Kitchen: Build a Kitchen to Last a Lifetime

The BuyMeOnce Kitchen: Build a Kitchen to Last a Lifetime

We spend a healthy chunk of our lives in the kitchen. Here at BuyMeOnce we believe that a kitchen should be filled with long-lasting, durable products that can withstand rigorous daily use and are robust enough to pass on to the next generation. 
5 BuyMeOnce Wedding Gifts for Every Budget

5 BuyMeOnce Wedding Gifts for Every Budget

Give the happy couple something so solid it can be handed down through the generations. A gift as durable as their commitment to each other.

5 Reasons to Buy Built-To-Last, Eco-Friendly Products

5 Reasons to Buy Built-To-Last, Eco-Friendly Products

Our guest writer Cody from EcoShoppr shares the reasons he’s buying things once and buying things green. The shopping world in 2016 may seem totally materialistic and impulse driven. But there’s good news: it’s changing. There can be enormous value in just pausing, taking a breath, and moving a small step back before you get catapulted to the checkout.

Spotlight on Miele: Washing Machines and Vacuums, Made Better

Spotlight on Miele: Washing Machines and Vacuums, Made Better

When it comes to appliance longevity, Miele claim to set the bar. Their motto is “Immer Besser”, “Forever Better” in English. The method is quality over quantity, legacy over short-term profit. And their philosophy isn’t just unique among the giants of appliance manufacturing -- it's quite unique among large companies in general.