Don't Throw Them Away! 9 Projects to Reuse Old Earphones

Those old earphones sitting in a drawer can be upcycled into a whole range of DIY projects.

Are your old earphones gathering dust in a forgotten drawer? Don't toss them away just yet! In this eco-friendly world, many creative ideas exist to reuse almost anything, including earphones. From a crafty pillow speaker to a spy mike, there are countless ways to repurpose those old earphones.

Need detailed ideas? Discover inspiring DIY projects that give new life to your earphones while reducing waste and showcasing your environmental consciousness.

Love listening to white sounds while you snooze off or when relaxing on your bed? The pillow speaker in this Instructables guide is just the project you need to repurpose your old earphones. It transforms your old headphones into a cozy pillow speaker that provides soothing sounds for a peaceful sleep or relaxation.

To make it, disassemble your headphones to retrieve the speakers, solder them together, attach them to the underside of your favorite pillow while facing down, and then sew your pillow up to finish the setup. Once done, you can say goodbye to tangled earphones and hello to a more comfortable and enjoyable sleep experience.

Need a functional microphone to create content for your YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok but can’t afford one right now? We’ve got some good news—you can turn that old pair of earphones into a microphone in simple steps and skip the costs. At the same time, you’ll reduce environmental waste.

The best part is that your old earphones, a piece of foam, some tape, and paper are all you need to make one. Check out this Instructables project for the step-by-step breakdown of the DIY process.

Want to stay warm and listen to your favorite tunes simultaneously? Are you tired of fumbling with headphone cables while on your walks or bike rides? If you said yes to either or both questions, this "Headphones Hat" project is the perfect solution.

By recycling your old earphones and a cozy winter hat, you can create a stylish and functional accessory that keeps you warm while you enjoy your music or podcasts. The detailed Instructables tutorial will guide you through integrating the earphones into the hat, ensuring a comfortable fit and excellent sound quality.

Looking to amplify your voice for presentations or want a fun DIY project? Repurpose your old pair of microphones into an amplifier. You will need a relatively long list of supplies, but they are easy to find and affordable. This step-by-step Instructables guide walks you through the process, from dismantling the earphones to assembling the amplifier circuit. Once done, your old earphones will be a handy, sustainable tool that boosts your voice and lets you be heard loud and clear.

Even to an adult, 3D printing machines are incredibly fascinating. If you can access one and have always wanted to see it in action but can’t stomach the idea of sitting around for hours watching its progress, we have the ideal DIY project: repurpose your old earphones to capture 3D printing time-lapse videos.

Besides the earphones, which are used to trigger the recording, you’ll also need a smartphone for this project. But once the setup is complete, it’ll capture one image per layer, creating hypnotizing footage that showcases your object seemingly forming out of thin air, and your effort will well be worth it. Check out the Instructables project for a list of supplies and the step-by-step instructions. After completing your project, you can easily capture any fantasy ideas you can bring to life with a 3D printer.

Picture this: you're cruising down the open road on your motorcycle, feeling the wind in your face and the freedom that comes with it. But wait, something's missing—your favorite tunes to accompany you on this epic adventure. That's where helmet headphones come to the rescue!

The best part? In this time of environmental consciousness, you don’t need an entire budget because your old headphones will do as long as you follow the step-by-step instructions on making them in the Instructables guide.

Whether you're an avid motorcyclist, a thrill-seeking skater, or an urban cyclist, these helmet headphones will be your ticket to an immersive audio experience without breaking the bank. To further enhance your riding experience, you can try out these bike-related Arduino projects.

Ever wanted to own the secret agent earphones you spot in every FBI movie? We’ve got you! In this super-cool Instructables project, you'll learn how to transform your regular earphones into sneaky spies that help you eavesdrop discreetly. Whether you're a student snooping on your classmates' secret chit-chats or an aspiring detective solving a case undercover, these covert earphones will be your ultimate tool for stealthy missions. And as with other sustainable living DIY projects on our list, they are easy to make.

If the secret agent earphones aren’t enough, and you still desire a spy mic because you’ve always been fascinated by the agents' high-tech gadgets, we have another recycling project for you.

To make a spy mic, extract a mic from an old phone, preferably an old burner you no longer need, disassemble your earphones, and then solder these components as discussed in the Instructables project.

While easy to make, this spy mic is so functional you can secretly record public incidents. It could also make an excellent gift for your niece/nephew who’s as intrigued by high-tech gadgets as you. If you want to feel more like James Bond, try these awesome DIY projects for spies.

If upcycling your old earphones just doesn’t cut it for you, and you don’t want to throw them away because you don’t want to add to electronic waste, simply patch them using Sugru, which has many geeky uses.

Start by cutting off the old jack using a wire stripper, then heat the insulation off the wires inside using a candle. Next, solder the now exposed wires as shown in this Instructables guide, and finally, use Sugru to mold the soldered part. The Sugru will take about 24 hours to set in, but your old headphones will work as well as new ones.

If your earphones are still not working well, these YouTube videos can guide you on fixing broken earphones.

Don’t let those old earphones gather dust in a forgotten drawer or trash them! Instead, turn them into fantastic creations that add fun, style, and convenience to your life with the easy yet innovative craft projects above.

By reusing and repurposing old earphones, you save money and contribute to environmental consciousness. So, pick your favorite project, grab those earphones, and get started on a journey of DIY wonders. Happy crafting and repurposing!

Alan Blake holds a degree in microbiology and biotechnology. When he is not in the lab or traveling, you will find him tinkering with electronics or recycling/reusing stuff that would end up in landfills. He currently works as a DIY writer for MakeUseOf covering Arduino, reusing projects, how-tos, and a host of other exciting topics.