Earphones and Headphones Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Product (Earphones, Headphones), Technology (Wired, Wireless), Application (Gaming, Music & Entertainment) and By Geography

Earphones and Headphones Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Product (Earphones, Headphones), Technology (Wired, Wireless), Application (Gaming, Music & Entertainment) and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Earphones and Headphones Market is accounted for $42.16 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $135.64 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 21.5% during the forecast period. The earphones and headphones are electronic audio gadgets that serve the purpose of enhancing the listening experience with the introduction of the active noise cancellation method. These gadgets are a pair of small loudspeakers, with electroacoustic transducers; convert electrical signals into sound. It is capable of connecting in the wired and wireless form, to the source signal. There are a variety of headphones and earphones available, with ease and comfortability to wear.

The number of headphones shipped reached 549 million in 2020, a huge increase on the figures seen in 2013. True wireless stereo (TWS) headsets and wearable band shipments are expected to increase even further in the coming years, in part sparked by the proliferation of Apple’s AirPods. As well as new TWS offerings from competing manufacturers such as Sony and Bose, more affordable options are now available from companies including Xiaomi and Jabra.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Rising mobile device penetration

The adoption of mobile devices, especially tablets and smartphones has increased significantly in countries such as India, Indonesia, Brazil, and China. This adoption is due to increasing internet penetration and the rising popularity of online music mobile streaming in these countries. Moreover, the rising trend of e-banking, mobile shopping, BOYD is boosting the adoption of smartphones and tablets and thereby driving the growth of the market.

Restraint:

Absence of standardization

Lack of standardization in technology and components used for manufacturing headphones and earphones, especially by medium- and small-size companies is another factor hindering the market growth. Furthermore, inadequate standards in the market lead to high product and price differentiation, which in turn, is expected to hamper the global earphone and headphone market growth in the near future.

Opportunity:

Growing demand for wireless headphones and earphones

Consumers more and more prefer wireless headphones and earphones, due to the sophistication and ease of use provided by these products. Key companies in the market are focused on manufacturing trendy and innovative wireless headphones and earphones to cater to rising demand from fashion-conscious consumers. Furthermore, technological advancements have led to the development of lightweight and compact earphones and headphones. Manufacturers are incorporating advanced features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and SKAA in wireless headphones and earphones for an increasing number of tech-savvy consumers.

Threat:

Rising threat of piracy and counterfeit products

Piracy and counterfeiting of products are a major threat to market growth. The materials used in the production of these earphones and headphones are of substandard quality with low quality and durability. However, pirated products are offered at a fraction of the price of original products and hence are majorly preferred in emerging economies such as India and China. Thus, the presence, of counterfeit products is expected to restrain the growth of the global earphone and headphone market during the forecast period.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic functioned as a boon for the headphones & earphones industry due to work-from-home conditions, which increased the usage of headsets when talking for business purposes, listening to music, and other recreational activities.

The wireless segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The wireless segment is growing at the highest CAGR in the market. This is attributed to the introduction of true wireless earbuds and technological advancements in the BlueTooth connectivity of wireless devices. Meanwhile, the launch of AirPods from Apple, Inc., shifted the momentum entirely from wired products to wireless products. Besides, local players like boAt, Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd., Xiaomi, Boult Audio, GoNoise, Portronics, and MiVi are engaged in offering wireless earphones at lower prices, which is further expected to drive the segment.

The earphones segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The earphones segment is expected to be the largest share due to the comfort in hearing music, low cost, and compact size. The lightweight design and portability of earphones make them a preferred choice for fitness and sports enthusiasts. Additionally, earphones provide good passive isolation from external sound, which translates into an immersive music listening experience for the user and is expected to drive the segment.

Region with largest share:

North America is projected to hold the largest share in the market due to the high technology penetration. Companies in this region are focused on investing in R&D and continuous innovation in product development. Furthermore, the presence of major industry players in the region, such as Apple Inc., Bose Corporation, GN Store Nord A/S, Harman International Industries, Incorporated, and Sennheiser GmbH & Co., KG, is expected to drive the market in this region.

Region with highest CAGR:

The Asia Pacific is projected to have the highest CAGR due to the high penetration of smartphones and rising disposable income. Furthermore, various key business players are investing significantly in China due to the emergence of low-cost technology and the availability of cheap labor in the region. However, the increasing availability of counterfeit products designed and manufactured, especially in India, has enabled various key players to establish their manufacturing facilities in the region, thereby resulting in market growth.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players profiled in the Earphones and Headphones Market include Alclair Audio, Inc., Apple, Inc., Beats Electronics LLC, Bose Corporation, GN Store Nord A/S, Grado Labs, Harman International Industries, Incorporated, JVC Kenwood Corporation , Koninklijke Philips N.V., Logitech International S.A., Panasonic Corporation, Pioneer Corporation, Plantronics, Inc., Sennheiser Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, Shenzen Cannice Technology Co. Ltd., Shure Incorporated, Skullcandy, Inc., Sony Corporation, Ultimate Ears, LLC, and Zebronics India Pvt. Ltd.

Key developments:

In January 2020: Harman International Industries, Inc. introduced new AKG K361-BT and K371-BT professional studio headphones with Bluetooth connectivity.

In September 2018: Plantronics Pty. Limited introduced a range of five wireless headsets across its BackBeat Go and BackBeat FIT lines in Australia.

In September 2018: Beats Electronics LLC announced its merchandising and marketing partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA). Through this partnership, Beats by Dre aims to be the official and the only wireless speaker, headphone, and audio partner for NBA.

In September 2018: Skullcandy, Inc. announced the launch of a new wireless headphone known as Riff Wireless. Riff Wireless headphone is lightweight, includes a bendable band, and is equipped with Bluetooth and Rapid Charge technology.

Prices Covered:
• Less Than 50 USD
• Between 50 to 100 USD
• Above 100 USD

Products Covered:
• Earphones
• Headphones

Technologies Covered:
• Wired
• Wireless
• True Wireless

Features Covered:
• Smart
• Non-Smart

Noise Attenuations Covered:
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Passive Noise Cancellation

Distribution Channels Covered:
• Online
• Offline

Applications Covered:
• Fitness/Sports
• Gaming
• Music & Entertainment
• Virtual Reality
• Personal
• Corporate
• Media

Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:
- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements