How many wireless earbuds are sold each year?

Omdia counted 92.6 million true wireless earbuds shipped worldwide in the third quarter of 2025 and 82.1 million in the second quarter of 2026, which shows a market that has stopped growing in units. Futuresource counts more than 223 million headphones of all types in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, because its count includes wired and over-ear models.

What is Apple's share of the earbud market?

Counterpoint Research projected Apple at 21% of global TWS unit shipments in 2025, and IDC gave Apple 17.2% of all earwear in the second quarter of 2026. By value Apple is far larger: Omdia says it captures around half of all TWS market revenue.

Is noise cancelling becoming standard on earbuds?

Yes. Futuresource found noise-cancelling headphone shipments grew 14% in the fourth quarter of 2025, against 1% for the market, and more than two in three buyers in its 2025 survey called ANC a key purchase driver. Omdia reports ANC now appears in earbuds priced under US$25.

How popular are open-ear earbuds?

Open-ear earbuds are the fastest-growing type. Omdia counted more than 10 million shipped in the third quarter of 2025, up 69%, and forecasts 43.9 million in 2026 and 90.5 million by 2030. In Futuresource's 2024 survey, 9% of audio owners in five countries had open-ear headphones.

How much do people spend on headphones?

In the US, Bluetooth headphones averaged $99 in 2025 and wired ones about $13, according to Circana, and true wireless models took 65% of headphone dollars. Worldwide, Futuresource found headphone value grew 3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 as buyers traded up.

How many people own wireless earbuds?

Futuresource's 2025 survey of more than 10,000 people in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China found 61% own true wireless earbuds, with two pairs of headphones per person on average. Edison Research puts wireless headphone ownership at 51% of UK people aged 16+ in 2025.

Data · 52 figures with sources

Wireless Earbuds and Headphones Statistics 2026

This page gathers the latest figures on wireless earbuds and headphones: worldwide shipments, brand share, the spread of active noise cancelling, open-ear earbuds, what people pay, how many pairs they own and how earbuds now overlap with hearing care. Sources are market trackers (Omdia, IDC, Counterpoint Research, Futuresource Consulting, Circana), company filings and announcements (Apple, Sony Group), consumer surveys (Futuresource, CIRP, Edison Research, MarkeTrak) and health bodies (WHO, ASHA), plus the Bluetooth SIG's forecast. Most figures describe 2025 and 2026 worldwide, with US, UK, China and India figures labeled. A few 2024 survey and forecast figures are included for context and say so.

By the HearSmart research desk · Updated November 13, 2026 · 52 numbers drawn from 22 publishers and reports

56 of 56 quotes matched to the publisher's page by our checker on November 13, 2026

Short answer

Global true wireless earbud shipments have flattened: Omdia counted 92.6 million units in Q3 2025, up 0.33%, and 82.1 million in Q2 2026, the first yearly drop since 2023. Apple leads with a projected 21% unit share (Counterpoint) and around half of TWS revenue (Omdia). Growth has moved to noise cancelling, up 14% in Q4 2025 (Futuresource), and open-ear models, which Omdia expects to reach 90.5 million units a year by 2030.

Headline numbers

92.6 millionOmdia counted 92.6 million true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds shipped worldwide in the third quarter of 2025, up 0.33% from a year earlier.Omdia
82.1 millionGlobal TWS shipments fell 0.7% to 82.1 million units in the second quarter of 2026, Omdia's first year-over-year decline since the second quarter of 2023.Omdia
21%Counterpoint Research projected Apple would hold 21% of global TWS unit shipments in 2025, keeping first place after the AirPods Pro 3 launch.Counterpoint Research
4%Apple captured around half of all global TWS market value in the third quarter of 2025 even though its unit shipments fell 4%, according to Omdia.Omdia
14%Noise-cancelling headphone shipments grew 14% worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with 1% growth for headphones overall, according to Futuresource.Futuresource Consulting
90.5 millionOmdia forecasts annual OWS shipments to rise from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million by 2030, nearly one in five TWS units.Omdia
65%True wireless earbuds accounted for 65% of all US headphone dollar sales in 2025, according to Circana retail tracking.Circana
61%61% of consumers in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China owned true wireless earbuds in Futuresource's 2025 survey, up four percentage points.Futuresource Consulting

Reading the numbers

The earbud market has stopped growing in units. Omdia's count of true wireless shipments was flat at 92.6 million in the third quarter of 2025 and slipped 0.7% to 82.1 million in the second quarter of 2026, its first yearly decline since 2023. Futuresource, which tracks every kind of headphone, saw 1% unit growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 while TWS fell 5%. Both firms point to the same cause: most buyers in rich markets already own wireless earbuds and are keeping them longer.

Value is doing better than volume. Futuresource measured 3% value growth against 1% unit growth, Counterpoint saw TWS revenue rise 9% in a quarter of falling units, and Omdia says Apple alone takes around half of TWS market value with about a fifth of units. In the US, Circana finds true wireless models take 65% of headphone dollars at an average of $99 a pair. The company numbers are steadier than the trackers suggest: Apple's Wearables, Home and Accessories sales were flat at $35.6 billion in fiscal 2026, and Sony's Sound sales fell 4% to 278.8 billion yen.

Two product shifts explain where growth remains. Noise cancelling is now expected rather than premium: Futuresource saw 14% growth in noise-cancelling shipments, more than two in three survey respondents call ANC a key purchase driver, and Omdia sees ANC in earbuds under US$25. Open-ear earbuds are the fastest-growing form factor, passing 10 million units in a quarter in late 2025, with Omdia forecasting 90.5 million a year by 2030, led by clip-on designs.

Ownership is already near saturation in developed markets. Futuresource's 2025 survey found 61% of people in five large countries own TWS earbuds and the average person owns two pairs, and Edison Research puts UK wireless headphone ownership at 51%. Earbuds are also starting to work as hearing devices, with 20.9% of US adults with hearing difficulty in MarkeTrak 2025 using an earbud hearing feature, while WHO and ASHA warn that heavy listening at high volume puts hearing at risk.

Global earbud and headphone shipments

1.92.6 million
Omdia counted 92.6 million true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds shipped worldwide in the third quarter of 2025, up 0.33% from a year earlier.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Global TWS shipments reached 92.6 million units in 3Q25, up just 0.33% year-over-year (YoY), according to Omdia’s latest research.
2.82 million
Conventional in-ear TWS shipments fell 4% to 82 million units worldwide in the third quarter of 2025, with open-ear models making up the difference, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
This growth offset a 4% decline in conventional TWS shipments, which totaled 82 million units.
3.82.1 million
Global TWS shipments fell 0.7% to 82.1 million units in the second quarter of 2026, Omdia's first year-over-year decline since the second quarter of 2023.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Global true wireless stereo (TWS) shipments fell 0.7% year-over-year (YoY) to 82.1 million units in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest data from Omdia, marking the first YoY decline since 2Q23.
4.223 million
Futuresource counted more than 223 million headphones of all types shipped worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, a 1% rise from a year earlier.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to the latest quarterly tracker from Futuresource Consulting, global headphone shipments grew by just 1% year-on-year in Q4 2025, surpassing 223 million units.
5.5%
True wireless headphone shipments fell 5% year over year worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Futuresource.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
After years of rapid adoption, particularly in true wireless stereo (TWS) devices, the category is beginning to feel the effects of maturity, with TWS shipments declining by 5% year-on-year in Q4.
6.6%
Over-ear headphone shipments rose 6% year over year worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to Futuresource.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Over-ear headphones are also gaining ground, with shipments rising 6% year-on-year.
7.3.3%
IDC forecasts worldwide earwear shipments to grow 3.3% in 2026 and to stay at about two-thirds of all wearables shipped through 2030.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Earwear is forecast to grow 3.3% in 2026 and to hold roughly two-thirds of the market through 2030, with a 2.3% CAGR.
8.448 million
The Bluetooth SIG's 2024 market outlook, based on ABI Research forecasts, expected 448 million Bluetooth earbuds to ship worldwide in 2024.
Bluetooth SIG, New market forecasts for Bluetooth audio (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
448 million Bluetooth® earbuds are expected to ship in 2024, and by 2028, annual Bluetooth earbud shipments are forecasted to increase by 59 percent, climbing to 712 million.
9.712 million
The same Bluetooth SIG outlook forecasts annual Bluetooth earbud shipments to reach 712 million by 2028, a 59% increase on 2024.
Bluetooth SIG, New market forecasts for Bluetooth audio (Mar 2024)
Exact wording at the source
448 million Bluetooth® earbuds are expected to ship in 2024, and by 2028, annual Bluetooth earbud shipments are forecasted to increase by 59 percent, climbing to 712 million.

Brand share: Apple and the rest

10.21%
Counterpoint Research projected Apple would hold 21% of global TWS unit shipments in 2025, keeping first place after the AirPods Pro 3 launch.
Counterpoint Research, Global TWS Market Tracker, Q3 2025 (Nov 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Apple is projected to maintain its leading position with a 21% market share following the launch of the AirPods Pro 3.
11.4%
Apple captured around half of all global TWS market value in the third quarter of 2025 even though its unit shipments fell 4%, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Apple remained the global revenue leader despite a 4% shipment decline, capturing around half of all TWS market value through ecosystem strength and premium positioning.
12.17.2%
Apple led the worldwide earwear category with a 17.2% unit share in the second quarter of 2026, according to IDC.
IDC, Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Apple led earwear with 17.2% share.
13.40%
More than 40% of US iPhone owners said they owned Bluetooth earbuds in CIRP's survey published in July 2025.
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, AirPods Succeed, Yet Need to Succeed More (Jul 2025)
Exact wording at the source
More than 40% of iPhone owners report that they have Bluetooth earbuds, and about 60% of them report owning AirPods (Chart 1).
14.60%
About 60% of US iPhone owners with Bluetooth earbuds owned AirPods, according to CIRP's July 2025 survey report.
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners, AirPods Succeed, Yet Need to Succeed More (Jul 2025)
Exact wording at the source
More than 40% of iPhone owners report that they have Bluetooth earbuds, and about 60% of them report owning AirPods (Chart 1).

Noise cancelling and premium features

15.14%
Noise-cancelling headphone shipments grew 14% worldwide in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with 1% growth for headphones overall, according to Futuresource.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Noise-cancelling headphones alone recorded 14% shipment growth, reflecting how quickly expectations are shifting.
16.two-in-three
More than two in three respondents to Futuresource's 2025 survey of over 10,000 consumers in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China cited ANC as a key purchase driver.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones market expands with a growing repair culture, multi-device ownership and feature upgrades (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
More than two-in-three respondents cited ANC as a key purchase driver, with nearly a third now calling it a necessity.
17.$200 to $499
The $200 to $499 price band was among the strongest performers in the global headphone market in the fourth quarter of 2025, helped by demand for noise cancellation and spatial audio, according to Futuresource.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In particular, the $200–$499 segment was among the strongest performers in Q4, supported by demand for advanced noise cancellation, spatial audio and premium design.
18.US$25
Omdia reports ANC spreading to true wireless earbuds priced below US$25 in 2025.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
"We're witnessing the democratization of ANC technology at sub-US$25 price points, while premium brands are pivoting from volume wars to value creation," said Omdia Analyst Jack Leathem.
19.2x
Apple says AirPods Pro 3, launched in September 2025, remove up to 2x more noise than the previous AirPods Pro and 4x more than the original model.
Apple, Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience (Sep 2025)
Exact wording at the source
AirPods Pro 3 deliver unbelievable sound quality and the world’s best in-ear Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) — removing up to 2x more noise than the previous-generation AirPods Pro, and 4x more than the original AirPods Pro.
20.33 percent
AirPods Pro 3 play music for up to eight hours with ANC on, 33% longer than the previous generation, according to Apple.
Apple, Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience (Sep 2025)
Exact wording at the source
In addition, while listening to music with ANC enabled, AirPods Pro 3 now provide up to eight hours of music playback — a 33 percent increase over the previous generation.

Open-ear earbuds

21.69%
Open wireless stereo (OWS) earbud shipments passed 10 million units worldwide in the third quarter of 2025, a 69% rise from a year earlier, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Although overall growth was modest, shipments of Open Wireless Stereo (OWS), a type of non-in-ear TWS device, surpassed 10 million units, marking a 69% increase YoY.
22.40 million
In December 2025 Omdia forecast 40 million OWS units for 2026, about 10% of the TWS market.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Omdia forecasts that OWS shipments will reach 40 million units in 2026, representing 10% of the total TWS market.
23.61%
Clip-on designs made up 61% of open-ear earbud shipments worldwide in the second quarter of 2026, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Clip-on OWS accounted for 61% of total shipments, supported by growing consumer interest in their use as both audio devices and fashion accessories.
24.323%
Shipments of open-ear earbuds priced below $50 grew 323% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
The entry-level segment priced below $50 grew 323%, supported by vendors such as Sanag, Baseus, and QCY.
25.90.5 million
Omdia forecasts annual OWS shipments to rise from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million by 2030, nearly one in five TWS units.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Annual OWS shipments are forecast to increase from 43.9 million units in 2026 to 90.5 million units by 2030, representing nearly one in five TWS shipments.
26.9%
9% of audio hardware owners in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China owned open-ear headphones in June 2024, up from 4% in Futuresource's previous survey.
Futuresource Consulting, TWS headphones still lead the market, yet consumer preferences are changing (Oct 2024)
Exact wording at the source
Open-ear headphones are on the rise, too, with ownership increasing to 9% from 4% in the previous survey.

Chart

Open-ear earbud shipments by design, Q2 2026, % of units

Omdia estimates of worldwide open wireless stereo (OWS) shipments in the second quarter of 2026.

Clip-on61%
Ear-hook39%

Source: Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26

Spending, prices and company revenue

27.65%
True wireless earbuds accounted for 65% of all US headphone dollar sales in 2025, according to Circana retail tracking.
Circana, Wired Headphones Growth Is a Throwback to 2016 (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Bluetooth has since become a staple technology in the headphones market, giving rise to new form factors such as True Wireless (the most popular form factor in headphones, accounting for 65% of all headphone dollars in 2025).
28.$99
Bluetooth headphones sold for an average of $99 in the US in 2025, compared with about $13 for wired headphones, according to Circana.
Circana, Wired Headphones Growth Is a Throwback to 2016 (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
First, as prices for many consumer electronics products rise due to tariffs and other factors, wired headphones are a lower cost alternative with ASPs around $13 in 2025 while Bluetooth were $99.
29.3%
US wired headphone sales grew 3%, about $15 million, in 2025 after five years of declines, according to Circana.
Circana, Wired Headphones Growth Is a Throwback to 2016 (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
After 5 years of sales declines, which culminated in a $42M drop in 2024, wired headphones rebounded in 2025, growing 3% (about $15M).
30.20%
US wired headphone revenue was up 20% in the first six weeks of 2026, according to Circana.
Circana, Wired Headphones Growth Is a Throwback to 2016 (Feb 2026)
Exact wording at the source
In the first six weeks of 2026, wired headphones revenue is up a whopping 20%!
31.70%
Circana expected computers, portable audio and TVs to deliver over 70% of US consumer technology revenue gains in 2025.
Circana, US Consumer Technology Sales Forecast to Rebound in 2025 With $1.8B in Revenue Gains (Jan 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Computers, portable audio and televisions are expected to contribute over 70% of the sector’s gains this year.
32.3%
Global headphone market value rose 3% year over year in the fourth quarter of 2025, ahead of 1% unit growth, according to Futuresource.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Yet value increased at a slightly greater rate of 3%, signalling a market that is increasingly driven by consumers trading up into higher-value devices.
33.9%
Global TWS revenue grew 9% in the third quarter of 2025 even as unit sales dipped, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, Global TWS Market Tracker, Q3 2025 (Nov 2025)
Exact wording at the source
However, overall revenue showed 9% growth, driven by new models from major brands launches including the AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds FE.
34.35,577
Apple's Wearables, Home and Accessories net sales, which include AirPods and Beats, were $35.577 billion in fiscal 2026, roughly flat on the prior year.
Apple, Apple Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Wearables, Home and Accessories 35,577 — % 35,686 (4) % 37,005
35.35,686
Apple's Wearables, Home and Accessories net sales were $35.686 billion in fiscal 2025, down 4% from $37.005 billion in fiscal 2024.
Apple, Apple Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 2026 (Nov 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Wearables, Home and Accessories 35,577 — % 35,686 (4) % 37,005
36.278,846
Sony's Sound category, which covers headphones and wireless speakers, had external sales of 278.8 billion yen in the fiscal year ended March 2026, down from 290.5 billion yen.
Sony Group, Sony Group Corporation Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 (Jun 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Sound 290,538 278,846
37.US$17.5
The average selling price of earwear in India fell 1.1% to US$17.5 in 2025, reflecting heavy online promotions, according to IDC.
IDC, IDC: India's Wearables Market Declines 4.0% to 114 Million Units in 2025 as Smartwatch Shipments Fall 17.6% (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Despite growth in select segments, earwear ASP dipped 1.1% YoY to US$17.5.

Chart

Sony Sound category external sales, billion yen

Sony fiscal years ending March 31 of the following year. Sound covers headphones and wireless speakers; the filing reports these in millions of yen.

FY2023296
FY2024291
FY2025279

Source: Sony Group, Sony Group Corporation Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026

Ownership, habits and hearing

38.61%
61% of consumers in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China owned true wireless earbuds in Futuresource's 2025 survey, up four percentage points.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones market expands with a growing repair culture, multi-device ownership and feature upgrades (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
This year’s survey shows TWS ownership climbing four percentage points to 61%, while wireless on-ear and over-ear has leapfrogged the wired in-ear form factor to secure second position.
39.2.3
Consumers in Futuresource's 2025 five-country survey owned two pairs of headphones on average, and Gen Z owned 2.3.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones market expands with a growing repair culture, multi-device ownership and feature upgrades (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
On average, consumers own two pairs of headphones, with Gen Z averaging 2.3 devices per person.
40.62%
62% of respondents in Futuresource's 2025 survey would rather replace a headphone battery than the whole device, and half would repair rather than replace.
Futuresource Consulting, Headphones market expands with a growing repair culture, multi-device ownership and feature upgrades (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
Half of consumers said they would repair their headphones rather than replacing them, and 62% would prefer to replace a battery rather than the entire device.
41.51%
51% of people aged 16 and older in the UK, about 25 million, owned wireless headphones in 2025, almost double the 2021 level, according to Edison Research.
Edison Research, The Infinite Dial UK 2025 (May 2025)
Exact wording at the source
51% of those in the UK ages 16+ (25 million people) own wireless headphones, almost double the number from 2021
42.20.9%
20.9% of US adults reporting hearing difficulty in the MarkeTrak 2025 survey said they used earbuds with a hearing improvement feature.
Seminars in Hearing (MarkeTrak 2025), MarkeTrak 2025: hearing device adoption in the OTC hearing aid era (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
The growth of this earbud market segment is noteworthy, where 20.9% of those reporting hearing difficulty indicate using earbuds with a HI feature.
43.21%
Among MarkeTrak 2025 respondents, earbud hearing feature adoption was 16% for self-perceived mild hearing difficulty and 21% for moderate difficulty.
Seminars in Hearing (MarkeTrak 2025), MarkeTrak 2025: hearing device adoption in the OTC hearing aid era (Oct 2025)
Exact wording at the source
For those who wore earbuds with HI features, the adoption rates were relatively steady across severity groups (16% adoption rate for mild, 21% for moderate, 21% for severe, and 16% for profound).
44.100 dB
Earbuds can reach 100 dB or more, a level at which hearing damage can begin within 15 minutes, according to ASHA.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Unsafe Use of Popular Holiday Gifts Could Lead To Hearing Loss in Adolescents (Dec 2025)
Exact wording at the source
In comparison, earbuds and concerts often reach 100 dB or more.
45.1 billion
The World Health Organization estimates that over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.
World Health Organization, Deafness and hearing loss (fact sheet) (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices.

China, India and other regional markets

46.9.5%
TWS shipments in mainland China, the world's largest TWS market, fell 9.5% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, according to Omdia.
Omdia, Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Mainland China, the world’s largest TWS market, accounted for much of the decline, with shipments falling 9.5% as the boost from broader consumer electronics stimulus faded and replacement demand was partly pulled forward into 2025.
47.84.7 million
India's earwear shipments grew 1.4% to 84.7 million units in 2025, according to IDC.
IDC, IDC: India's Wearables Market Declines 4.0% to 114 Million Units in 2025 as Smartwatch Shipments Fall 17.6% (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Earwear category grew 1.4% YoY to 84.7 million units in 2025.
48.65.4%
Over-the-ear headphones were India's fastest-growing earwear segment in 2025, up 65.4% to 7.4 million units, according to IDC.
IDC, IDC: India's Wearables Market Declines 4.0% to 114 Million Units in 2025 as Smartwatch Shipments Fall 17.6% (Mar 2026)
Exact wording at the source
Neckband shipments fell 10.2% YoY while Over-the-Ear emerged as the fastest-growing segment, surging 65.4% YoY (7.4M units) behind hybrid work trends and premium audio demand.
49.33%
boAt held a 33% share of India's TWS market in 2024, ahead of Boult and Noise, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, India TWS Market Grows 14% YoY in 2024; Offline Shipments See Double Digit Growth (Feb 2025)
Exact wording at the source
boAt maintained its market leadership with a 33% share, followed by Boult and Noise.
50.$1.3 billion
India's TWS market passed $1.3 billion in value in 2024, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, India TWS Market Grows 14% YoY in 2024; Offline Shipments See Double Digit Growth (Feb 2025)
Exact wording at the source
helped the market reach over $1.3 billion in 2024.
51.1.4x
India's premium TWS segment, priced above INR 5,000, grew more than 1.4x in the first quarter of 2025, led by Apple, Noise and Samsung, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, India TWS Shipments Rise 4% YoY in Q1 2025; Consumers Prioritize Value Over Price (May 2025)
Exact wording at the source
The premium market (>INR 5,000) grew more than 1.4x, driven by Apple, Noise and Samsung.
52.8%
India's TWS shipments fell 8% year over year in the first half of 2026 as buying shifted from first purchases to replacements, according to Counterpoint Research.
Counterpoint Research, India TWS Shipments Fall 8% YoY in H1 2026, but Retail ASP Rises 10% (Oct 2026)
Exact wording at the source
According to Counterpoint's Consumer IoT service, India’s TWS shipments declined 8% YoY in H1 2026 as the market continued to shift from first-time adoption to replacement-driven purchases.

Questions readers ask

How many wireless earbuds are sold each year?: Omdia counted 92.6 million true wireless earbuds shipped worldwide in the third quarter of 2025 and 82.1 million in the second quarter of 2026, which shows a market that has stopped growing in units. Futuresource counts more than 223 million headphones of all types in the fourth quarter of 2025 alone, because its count includes wired and over-ear models.
What is Apple's share of the earbud market?: Counterpoint Research projected Apple at 21% of global TWS unit shipments in 2025, and IDC gave Apple 17.2% of all earwear in the second quarter of 2026. By value Apple is far larger: Omdia says it captures around half of all TWS market revenue.
Is noise cancelling becoming standard on earbuds?: Yes. Futuresource found noise-cancelling headphone shipments grew 14% in the fourth quarter of 2025, against 1% for the market, and more than two in three buyers in its 2025 survey called ANC a key purchase driver. Omdia reports ANC now appears in earbuds priced under US$25.
How popular are open-ear earbuds?: Open-ear earbuds are the fastest-growing type. Omdia counted more than 10 million shipped in the third quarter of 2025, up 69%, and forecasts 43.9 million in 2026 and 90.5 million by 2030. In Futuresource's 2024 survey, 9% of audio owners in five countries had open-ear headphones.
How much do people spend on headphones?: In the US, Bluetooth headphones averaged $99 in 2025 and wired ones about $13, according to Circana, and true wireless models took 65% of headphone dollars. Worldwide, Futuresource found headphone value grew 3% in the fourth quarter of 2025 as buyers traded up.
How many people own wireless earbuds?: Futuresource's 2025 survey of more than 10,000 people in the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China found 61% own true wireless earbuds, with two pairs of headphones per person on average. Edison Research puts wireless headphone ownership at 51% of UK people aged 16+ in 2025.

Where these numbers come from

We used primary sources only: market trackers (Omdia, IDC, Counterpoint Research, Futuresource Consulting, Circana), company filings and announcements (Apple's Form 10-K and newsroom, Sony Group's Form 20-F), consumer surveys (Futuresource's Audio Tech Lifestyles, CIRP, Edison Research's Infinite Dial UK, MarkeTrak 2025 in Seminars in Hearing), the Bluetooth SIG's market outlook based on ABI Research, and health bodies (WHO, ASHA). Trackers define categories differently: Omdia's TWS total includes open-ear models, IDC's earwear includes neckbands and over-ear headphones, and Futuresource covers all headphones, so their unit totals should not be added or compared directly. Apple does not report AirPods sales on their own; its Wearables, Home and Accessories line also includes Apple Watch and other products. Sony's Sound category combines headphones and wireless speakers. Counterpoint's 2025 Apple share is a projection, and the Bluetooth SIG figures are 2024 forecasts. Futuresource's surveys cover the US, UK, Germany, Japan and China; CIRP covers US iPhone owners; Edison UK covers people 16+. Apple's noise cancelling and battery figures are its own claims. Each quote was checked against the source page on the update date. We store the sentence each number appears in, and a script loads the publisher's page again to make sure that sentence is still there. Our methodology has the details.

Sources

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Unsafe Use of Popular Holiday Gifts Could Lead To Hearing Loss in Adolescents (Dec 2025).
Apple. Introducing AirPods Pro 3, the ultimate audio experience (Sep 2025).
Apple. Apple Inc. Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 26, 2026 (Nov 2026).
Bluetooth SIG. New market forecasts for Bluetooth audio (Mar 2024).
Circana. Wired Headphones Growth Is a Throwback to 2016 (Feb 2026).
Circana. US Consumer Technology Sales Forecast to Rebound in 2025 With $1.8B in Revenue Gains (Jan 2025).
Consumer Intelligence Research Partners. AirPods Succeed, Yet Need to Succeed More (Jul 2025).
Counterpoint Research. Global TWS Market Tracker, Q3 2025 (Nov 2025).
Counterpoint Research. India TWS Market Grows 14% YoY in 2024; Offline Shipments See Double Digit Growth (Feb 2025).
Counterpoint Research. India TWS Shipments Rise 4% YoY in Q1 2025; Consumers Prioritize Value Over Price (May 2025).
Counterpoint Research. India TWS Shipments Fall 8% YoY in H1 2026, but Retail ASP Rises 10% (Oct 2026).
Edison Research. The Infinite Dial UK 2025 (May 2025).
Futuresource Consulting. Headphones Market Slows as Upgrade Fatigue Sets In, While Premium Demand Holds Firm (Mar 2026).
Futuresource Consulting. Headphones market expands with a growing repair culture, multi-device ownership and feature upgrades (Oct 2025).
Futuresource Consulting. TWS headphones still lead the market, yet consumer preferences are changing (Oct 2024).
IDC. Wearable Devices Market Insights: Worldwide Wearable Device Market, Q2 2026 (Oct 2026).
IDC. IDC: India's Wearables Market Declines 4.0% to 114 Million Units in 2025 as Smartwatch Shipments Fall 17.6% (Mar 2026).
Omdia. Omdia: OWS crosses 10-million-unit milestone as TWS market pivots to value creation (Dec 2025).
Omdia. Omdia: OWS shipments grow 12% as TWS market remains broadly flat in 2Q26 (Sep 2026).
Seminars in Hearing (MarkeTrak 2025). MarkeTrak 2025: hearing device adoption in the OTC hearing aid era (Oct 2025).
Sony Group. Sony Group Corporation Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 (Jun 2026).
World Health Organization. Deafness and hearing loss (fact sheet) (Mar 2026).

Citing this page

Link to this page or to a single numbered figure. If you reuse a number, name the organization that released it in the first place.

HearSmart. (2026, November 13). Wireless Earbuds and Headphones Statistics 2026. https://hearsmart.org/wireless-earbuds-and-headphones-statistics

Download all figures (CSV)

Found a number that changed or a source that moved? Email editorial@hearsmart.org. We plan to check this page again by January 12, 2027.