Wired headphones and earbuds are coming back into fashion, but True Wireless Stereo (TWS) headphones are sti the best selling type of personal listening device, according to the latest Futuresource Consulting Audio Tech Lifestyles consumer research.

Standard pairs of headphones, costing over $50, were the most purchased type in the last 12 months, bought by over half of purchers in the research group of nearly 8,000 people.

Headphones for gaming and dedicated kids’ headphones were also well represented, each purchased by more than a third over the same period.

TWS headphones remain the most popular headphones form factor, as well as the most widely known. But there is also a resurgence of wired headphones.

After five straight years of declining sales, wired headphone purchases exploded in the second half of 2025, according to the analytics firm Circana. Revenue from wired headphones was up 20% in the first six weeks of 2026.

Around 6 in 10 headphone purchasers say they would consider purchasing another new pair of headphones in the next 12 months. For Soundbars, upgrading for better audio quality, in both music and dialogue clarity, was the top trigger for recent soundbar purchases.

The headphones market grew in volume yoy in Q4 2025, while revenue grew in the same period. The North American market witnessed decline while emerging markets led the growth, according to Futuresource.