[UweSchmidt]

This is true for almost anything, for example bicycle tail lights:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Da...

There is an immense variety in the 10-20$ range, with very little brand recognition or true transparency on quality or attributes. It is likely that new iterations repeat previous mistakes or regress.

What we need is to find a robust, simple, sustainable, long-lasting, repairable optimum that is truly environmental friendly and is produced ethically, and then, as you suggest, focus human ingenuity on something else. This will not happen in the current economic system, but will require some kind of intervention or crisis.