Sales of wired headphones rise as listeners look for reliability and sound quality

Wired headphones are experiencing an unexpected resurgence years after many industry observers predicted their disappearance following the removal of headphone jacks from smartphones.

The shift gained momentum after Apple removed the headphone jack from its iPhones in 2016, a decision widely interpreted at the time as signalling the end of wired listening. Other manufacturers gradually followed, accelerating the transition toward Bluetooth-based wireless audio.

However, wired headphones are now returning to prominence as some consumers seek simpler technology, improved sound quality and a more tactile listening experience. According to a recent report cited by BBC, sales of wired headphones have surged after several years of decline.

Market data suggests a notable turnaround. After five consecutive years of falling demand, purchases of wired headphones rose sharply in the second half of 2025, according to analytics firm Circana. Revenue from wired headphones also increased by 20% during the first six weeks of 2026.

Some listeners attribute the renewed interest to the reliability and audio quality of wired connections. Chris Thomas, editor-at-large at the headphone review site SoundGuys, argues that wired models often offer better performance for the same price.

"This is the drum I've been beating for many years now," he says.

Although wireless audio technology has improved significantly, Thomas notes that mainstream Bluetooth products may still face issues such as unstable connections or compatibility limitations.

"With a wire, you just plug in and it works," he says.

For some users, the appeal goes beyond sound quality. Wired headphones are also becoming associated with a broader cultural shift that questions constant technological upgrades and increasingly complex digital ecosystems.

Aryn Grusin, a social worker based in Portland, Oregon, recently returned to wired listening after borrowing an older pair of earphones.

"I'm converted," she says.

"I just think it feels comforting. I like that it signifies to the world that I'm listening to something."

Grusin believes the trend reflects a wider discomfort with rapidly evolving technology.

"It feels like a lot of people are almost turning on technology because it's becoming so advanced," she says.

"I think there's a general group mindset where we're like, 'I don't like how this feels' and we're all kind of returning to the last place we were comfortable."

The cultural dimension of the trend is also visible in fashion and social media. In some circles, wired headphones have become a style statement, appearing in celebrity images and curated Instagram accounts celebrating the aesthetic of visible headphone cables.

Actor Zoë Kravitz recently voiced frustration with wireless technology in an interview.

"Bluetooth does not work," Kravitz said.

"It's ruining important moments. Imagine the amount of times that you're with someone on a date, you're trying to set a vibe, and then you have to forget the network. On a date!"

At the same time, the resurgence of wired headphones reflects a wider revival of older media technologies. Products once considered obsolete—including DVDs, cassette tapes, tube televisions and even typewriters—have also reappeared among consumers seeking alternatives to fully digital ecosystems.

While wireless listening still dominates the market, wired options remain available across many devices. Some modern headphones now feature built-in USB or Lightning connectors, while traditional 3.5mm models can still be used through adaptors.

Despite removing the headphone jack from iPhones, Apple continues to sell wired earphones.

"Oh, we still sell those," the company's chief executive Tim Cook told the BBC in an earlier interview.

"People still buy them."

For many listeners, the appeal of wired audio may ultimately lie in its simplicity. As digital technologies continue to evolve rapidly, some consumers appear increasingly drawn to devices that require little more than a cable and a connection.

[Via BBC]