Earbuds Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Market Volume (2024) | 273.54 Million units |
| Market Volume (2029) | 937.67 Million units |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 27.94 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | North America |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Need a report that reflects how COVID-19 has impacted this market and its growth?
Earbuds Market Analysis
The Earbuds Market size is estimated at 273.54 Million units in 2024, and is expected to reach 937.67 Million units by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 27.94% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
The technological advancements in earbuds, such as the emergence of Active Noise Cancellation, which enhances the consumers' listening experience, are expected to fuel the market growth over the forecast period. These products include wireless smart earphones with sensors and chargeable carry cases, capable of controlling the playback and activating voice assistants like Siri, Google Now, Cortana, and Alexa.
- The increasing penetration of smartphones and growing demand for smart tech in emerging countries of China and India will likely boost the demand for medium-range products in the global market. Lately, the focus has also been on providing an aesthetic design to devices to attract customers.
- Integrating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies on a single IC leads to the development of cost-effective and compact wireless audio devices, including earbuds. Demand for uninterrupted connectivity to different devices from smartphones. Bluetooth connectivity and Wi-Fi, among other technologies, increase the utility of earbuds by offering them high-speed connectivity.
- Moreover, multiple smartphone manufacturers are transitioning to IP68 specifications, thus, moving away from earphone jack support, further augmenting the wireless earbuds demand and creating opportunities for vendors targeting the market for wireless products. Brand recognition is critical in premium and high mid-range products, where an extended warranty feature can help create a niche space in the market.
- According to a report by Consumer Tech Association (CTA), among emerging technologies, such as smart homes, smart speakers, software, and streaming services, earbuds play a significant role in pushing the revenue for consumer technology. The report further highlights that many consumers are willing to pay for next-generation audio products that support the smarter, more immersive listening experiences they want to enjoy whenever and wherever they go. Many mobile network service providers are augmenting the market by providing audio and music streaming services as complementary services; for instance, Airtel and Jio, in India, offer Wynkand Saavanservices to their customers.
- The COVID-19 pandemic had little influence on the growth of the earbuds industry. The outbreak compelled government entities to impose tight lockdown precautions and traveling restrictions, interrupting logistics, supply chain, and manufacturing capacities and affecting total sales. Furthermore, closing retail locations influenced the firms' income generation.
Earbuds Market Trends
Growing Penetration of Smartphones and Consumer Demand for Latest Products is Expected to Increase The Growth
- The increasing penetration of smartphones is expected to drive the demand for the earbuds market. Acccording to Ericsson there would be 7,690 millions number of Smartphone Subscriptions worldwide, This is due to the increased demand for integrating these devices with smartphones for enhanced features.
- The leading vendors are integrating active voice assistance features like Siri, Google Now, and Alexa to offer consumers convenience and ease of handling. Smart earbuds also provide advanced features allowing consumers to monitor body vitals such as heart rate and calories burnt during a workout session and convenience during a workout. These products are designed and marketed for athletes and health-conscious individuals in the global earbuds market.
- Moreover, the increasing trend of making smartphones slimmer and thinner has resulted in manufacturers removing the headphones jack. This propels consumers to adopt earbuds, boosting the market growth over the forecast period.
- Vendors heavily implement various IPX certifications to make their earbuds sweat and water-resistant. This certification helps companies increase their brand reliability and attract more consumers in the global earbuds market. IPX7 means that the product can withstand being submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, increasing the device's portability in many places, such as gyms and smartphones, for connectivity. Factors such as these also act as a driving factor for the market's growth.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Register Fastest Growth
- Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth in the earbuds market during the forecast period. The growing electronics industry, coupled with a rapid rise in disposable income in the region, is driving the earbuds market.
- Further, the expansion of consumer electronics manufacturing capacities, especially in the South Central region of China, coupled with rising exports to neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, is expected to boost market growth.
- The penetration by foreign players in the region providing premium products that are technologically advanced and provide a better experience has fueled the demand for premium earphones.
- Smartphone giants are also developing innovative earbuds in the region to boost the sales of both earbuds and smartphones. These companies are considering expanding to emerging countries in the region, including India. An instance would be the launch of a new line-up of Galaxy wearables: Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit, and Galaxy Buds by Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. The smartwatch, activity tracker, and cord-free earbuds are made for various lifestyles.
- The high price tag associated with these products varies across geography because of the manufacturing brand and features provided in the products. Multinational brands are even higher priced when they sell overseas due to the custom and excise duties depending on their country. For instance, Apple sells its AirPods for USD 159 in North America; the same is sold for USD 203, USD 217, and USD 218 in China, Germany, and the UK, respectively.
Earbuds Industry Overview
The competitive rivalry in the Earbuds Market is fragemented and remains high owing to some key vendors such as Apple, Samsung, Bose, and Sennheiser, amongst others, as the market remains mostly consolidated. The market players are moving toward providing technologically integrated products through extensive investments in research and development that have enabled them to gain a competitive advantage over other players in the market. Also, through strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, the players have gained a greater footprint in the market.
- In September 2023, Apple announced the launch of AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging (USB‑C). With iOS 17, all AirPods Pro (2nd generation) level up with access to new audio experiences like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Further, an improved IP54 rating for the earbuds and case also offers additional dust resistance
- In March 2023, Carl Pei-owned brand Nothing announced the launch of TWS (Truly Wireless Stereo) earbuds. The product is expected to feature personalized Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which can be adjusted per the user's preference and includes "Transparency modes" that facilitate outside sounds while listening to music.
Earbuds Market Leaders
Apple, Inc.
Samsung Electronics co., ltd.
Xiomi
Boat
BBK Electronics
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Earbuds Market News
- July 2023 : The Sony announced the truly wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5. The new model reduces external noise from low to medium frequencies over a large range, thus offering the best noise cancellation
- April 2023: Apple announced the successful procurement of a patent from the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for an AirPods touchscreen case. Apple provided numerous rough diagrams presenting the functionality of an interactive user interface on the case, including providing notifications, playing music, assisting with navigation, outputting audiobook media, giving weather updates, and letting users switch audio modes by squeezing the case.
Earbuds Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.2.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.2.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
4.2.3 Threat of New Entrants
4.2.4 Threat of Substitutes
4.2.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
4.4 Assessment of Impact of COVID-19 on the Industry
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 High demand from consumers engaged in fitness activities
5.1.2 Shorter replacement cycle of earphones and the growing adoption of earbuds
5.1.3 Growing penetration of smartphones and consumer demand for latest products
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Design complexity and distractions caused by earbuds
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
6.1 By Feature
6.1.1 Wired Earbuds
6.1.2 Wireless Earbuds
6.1.2.1 Truly Wireless
6.1.2.2 Other Types
6.2 By Price Range
6.2.1 Premium Range (greater than USD 150)
6.2.2 Mid Range (USD 50 - USD 150)
6.2.3 Low Range (less than USD 50)
6.3 By Distribution Channel
6.3.1 Offline
6.3.2 Online
6.4 By Geography
6.4.1 North America
6.4.2 Europe
6.4.3 Asia-Pacific
6.4.4 Latin America
6.4.5 Middle-East and Africa
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7.1 Vendor Market Share Analysis - Truly Wireless Earbuds - 2022
7.2 Company Profiles
7.2.1 Boat
7.2.2 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (includes Samsung, Infinity, and JBL)
7.2.3 Apple Inc. (includes Beats Electronics)
7.2.4 Xiaomi Corporation
7.2.5 BBK Electronics (includes Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and OnePlus)
7.2.6 Sony Group Corporation
7.2.7 Bose Corporation
7.2.8 Skullcandy Inc.
7.2.9 Edifier International Limited
7.2.10 QCY
7.2.11 JLab
7.2.12 Huawei Device Co. Ltd
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. INVESTMENT ANALYSIS
9. FUTURE OF THE MARKET
Earbuds Industry Segmentation
Earbuds are a pair of small hearing devices designed to be held outside the ear canal, unlike earphones. They are electroacoustic transducers that convert the electrical signal into a corresponding sound. They are typically designed to enable a single user to listen to audio.
The earbuds market is segmented by feature (wired earbuds, wireless earbuds (truly wireless)), by price range (premium range (greater than USD 150), mid range (USD 50 - USD 150), low range (less than USD 50)), by distribution channel (offline, online), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa). The market sizes and forecasts are provided in terms of value (USD) for all the above segments.
| By Feature | ||||
| Wired Earbuds | ||||
|
| By Price Range | |
| Premium Range (greater than USD 150) | |
| Mid Range (USD 50 - USD 150) | |
| Low Range (less than USD 50) |
| By Distribution Channel | |
| Offline | |
| Online |
| By Geography | |
| North America | |
| Europe | |
| Asia-Pacific | |
| Latin America | |
| Middle-East and Africa |
Earbuds Market Research FAQs
How big is the Earbuds Market?
The Earbuds Market size is expected to reach 273.54 million units in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 27.94% to reach 937.67 million units by 2029.
What is the current Earbuds Market size?
In 2024, the Earbuds Market size is expected to reach 273.54 million units.
Who are the key players in Earbuds Market?
Apple, Inc., Samsung Electronics co., ltd., Xiomi, Boat and BBK Electronics are the major companies operating in the Earbuds Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Earbuds Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Earbuds Market?
In 2024, the North America accounts for the largest market share in Earbuds Market.
What years does this Earbuds Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Earbuds Market size was estimated at 197.11 million units. The report covers the Earbuds Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Earbuds Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
What are the challenges faced by the Earbuds Market?
Major challenges faced by the Earbuds Market are: a) Intense competition b) Rapid technological changes c) Need for continuous innovation to meet consumer expectations
How is the wireless earbuds segment performing?
The wireless segment is outpacing traditional wired earbuds, driven by convenience, technological advancements, and consumer preference for mobility.
Earbuds Industry Report
The Global Earbuds Market is witnessing remarkable growth, fueled by the surge in smart device adoption and consumer demand for innovative products. These compact, lightweight devices offer noise isolation, convenience, and portability, significantly enhancing the listening experience. Innovations such as water resistance, active noise cancellation, and health monitoring are propelling the market forward. The popularity of streaming services for music and podcasts has also elevated the demand for earbuds, making them essential for the modern audio experience. With over 3000 brands, earbuds manufacturers are keenly developing products that align with consumer preferences for aesthetics and advanced features like touch controls. The market, segmented by product type, user operating system, and distribution channels, shows a diverse and growing landscape. The Asia Pacific region stands out due to increased disposable income and a rising audiophile culture, with a strong demand for both wired and wireless earbuds. For detailed insights, Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports provide comprehensive statistics on the earbuds market share, size, revenue growth rate, and a forecast outlook, available as a free report PDF download. This growth is expected to continue, driven by ongoing innovations and evolving consumer preferences.
