Overview
- Circana reports wired‑headphone revenue rose 20% in the first six weeks of 2026 after a five‑year slide that included a $42 million drop in 2024.
- Buyers point to clearer audio without Bluetooth compression, no pairing hiccups, and freedom from dead batteries.
- A wide price gap is steering value seekers, with Apple’s wired EarPods at about £19 versus AirPods starting near £119 and rising to £219 for Pro and £499 for AirPods Max 2.
- Celebrity visibility and fashion cues are boosting demand, with Zoë Kravitz, Zendaya, Bella Hadid, Ariana Grande and others seen in cords, plus campaigns from Balenciaga and Vuori and even a £12,600 Chanel set.
- Circana says growth spans multiple brands and price tiers, though the spike reflects early‑year sales and does not yet prove a lasting market shift.