Headphone Market Report Q2 2025: Sales Trends
Published: June 23, 2026 | Category: News
The global headphone market reached $42.8 billion in Q2 2025, up 8.3% year-over-year. Wireless earbuds accounted for 62% of all sales, while over-ear headphones made up 28%. The remaining 10% went to wired audiophile and gaming headsets.
Key Market Drivers
(1) ANC adoption — 78% of new wireless earbuds now include active noise cancellation, up from 52% in 2023. Consumers treat ANC as a baseline expectation rather than a premium feature.
(2) Spatial audio — Apple’s lead in Dolby Atmos and spatial audio has forced competitors to catch up. Sony’s 360 Reality Audio and Bose’s Immersive Audio gained 12M+ users in Q2 alone.
(3) Sub-$100 premium — Anker Soundcore and JBL captured 18% market share in the budget segment, eating into Sony and Bose’s traditional entry-level territory. The Soundcore Liberty 4 NC ($79) outsold the AirPods Pro 2 in Asia-Pacific.
Brand Market Share
| Brand | Q2 2025 Share | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | 17% | -2.1% |
| Sony | 13% | +0.8% |
| Bose | 9% | -1.2% |
| Samsung | 8% | +1.5% |
| Anker Soundcore | 7% | +3.2% |
| JBL | 6% | +1.8% |
Regional Trends
North America — Premium over-ear sales grew 15% YoY. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 drove the upgrade cycle. Average selling price rose to $287.
Asia-Pacific — True wireless earbuds dominate with 71% share. Samsung Galaxy Buds and Anker Soundcore lead volume. China’s domestic brands (Edifier, 1MORE) gained ground rapidly.
Europe — Sustainability-focused purchasing. Bose and Sony’s recycled-material products performed 23% above category average. EU regulations on right-to-repair are pushing manufacturers toward modular designs.
What This Means for Buyers
The market is converging on three tiers: premium ANC ($250-400) dominated by Sony, Bose, and Apple; value ANC ($50-150) where Anker and JBL compete aggressively; and wired audiophile ($150-600) maintained by Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser, and emerging brands like Meze Audio.
For most buyers, the sweet spot is $80-150. You get ANC, good battery life, and decent sound without paying the Apple/Sony premium. Anker Soundcore and JBL are the brands to watch in this segment.
Bottom line: Don’t overpay for brand names. The gap between a $100 Soundcore and a $300 Sony has narrowed dramatically. Prioritize ANC quality and battery life over brand prestige.
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