Headphone Statistics By Usage, Most Preferred Features and Most Used Brand

Updated · Feb 10, 2025


TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Headphone Statistics: In recent years, with extreme technological development in tech, there has been tremendous growth in the headphones market all over the world. Headphones let you listen to music, news, audiobooks, and everything else you want to enjoy closely. The bass you experience in movie theaters can be experienced by wearing headphones.
Well, not only this, but there are some people around the world, who are introverts and never want to talk to anyone in public and thus wear headphones. This magical device has many unique uses, isn’t it? “Wink”! Now let’s get back to our Headphone Statistics and understand what insights are saying about the current market around the world.
Editor’s Choice
- From 2023 to 2028, global sales for headphones in consumer electronics are expected to reach USD 2.2 billion.
- In 2023, China is predicted to lead the global headphones market, generating USD 3,953 million in revenue.
- In 2024, China will further increase its revenue to USD 4,063 million.
- By 2029, the number of headphones sold globally is expected to reach 1.4 billion units.
- In 2024, the average revenue per person in the headphones market will be about USD 2.32.
- The global headphone market is seeing strong demand, with countries like the U.S. leading in usage and innovation.
- North America is expected to hold 29% of the headphone market share from 2023 to 2027.
- In 2022, 553 million headphones were shipped worldwide.
- In the U.S., 61 million Americans gave headphones or earbuds as a gift in 2022, making it the most popular tech gift.
- Preferences for headphones in the U.S. in 2022 focused on sound quality (75%), comfort (71%), price (54%), durability (42%), and weight (29%).
- Apple was the most popular headphone brand in the U.S. in 2022, with 39% of people preferring it, followed by Beats (18%) and JBL (15%).
- In 2022, 42.41% of people said they always wear headphones, while 25% used them frequently.
- 24.51% of people wore headphones for most of the day in 2022, with 35.61% wearing them while working remotely.
- 36% of people in the U.S. use headphones to listen to the radio, and 28% use them for audiobooks.
- A growth in headphone sales volume of 2.9% is expected in 2025.
- On average, each person will use around 0.1 headphones in 2024.
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General Headphone Statistics
- According to Headphone Statistics, the global revenue for headphones in the consumer electronics segment between 2023 and 2028 will be $2.2 billion.
- As of 2022, an average single person in the United States of America buys a pair of headphones every two years.
- As of 2022, the total shipment of headphones globally resulted in 553 million.
- 75% of the respondents to a survey stated that they always wear headphones, while 17.51% said they rarely wear them.
- Furthermore, 25% of the respondents said they wear it frequently, however, the majority of them stated they always wear it resulting in 42.41%.
- According to the Headphone Statistics, 24.51% of people wear them for the majority of the day, while others said as follows: while at work (8.75%), on an occasional basis (17.51%), and 35.61% (while working remotely).
- Between 2023 and 2027, 29% of the Headphone market share is expected to be generated from North America.
- China’s market is expected to reach USD 10.4 billion by 2026.
- By 2026, the European market is predicted to reach USD 12.8 billion.
- In 2019, 445 million headphones were sold globally, showing a growth of 27% despite the COVID-19 impact.
- Headphones can range from USD 25 to USD 120,000, but most people buy within the USD 50 to USD 100 range, which made up 39.2% of the market in 2019.
- Headphones under USD 50 are becoming popular, especially in countries like India, China, and Brazil.
- Wireless headphones dominated the market with a 76.2% share in 2019.
- The wireless headphones market is expected to grow by USD 8.23 billion between 2020 and 2024, with a growth rate of 8%.
- Smart features like voice assistance, fitness tracking, and gesture recognition are driving the popularity of wireless headphones.
- On average, 37% of people in the US own two pairs of headphones, and 34% own one pair.
- 87% of people use headphones to listen to music, while others use them for watching TV, making calls, or listening to audiobooks.
- Bone conduction technology is emerging, allowing users to hear music while staying aware of their surroundings, improving safety for activities like running.
- By 2027, the global market for headphones and earphones is expected to reach USD 84.5 billion.
Most Preferred Features By Americans
(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)
- As of 2022, the most preferred features for any headphone by Americans are sound quality resulting in 75%, tailed by comfort (71%), Price (54%), Durability (42%), and Weight (29%).
- However, the least preferred features are Brand / Powerful Bass (20%) and Wireless data transmissions (14%).
Headphone Statistics By Usage
(Reference: headphonesaddict.com)
- As of 2022, 87% of the respondents to the survey stated that they use headphones to listen to music, while 49% use them to watch movies or TV shows.
- There are 36% of Americans use it to listen to the radio, while 28% state they use it for listening to audiobooks.
- Furthermore, 25% and 9% of Americans use headphones to call someone as well as to produce music.
Headphone Statistics By Price
(Source: sonarworks.com)
- As of 2022, the market share captured by budget-friendly headphones is almost 20%, resulting in headphones priced between $10 and $99.
- However, there is still high demand for headphones priced between $100 and $199 and $200 to $299. The most pricey ones, over $300, have yet to reach 5% of the market.
Most Used Brand in the USA
(Reference: statista.com)
- As of 2022, in the United States of America, 39% of the respondents voted Apple the most used brand, followed by Beats (18%) and JBL (15%).
- However, the least preferred brand is Marshall (2%).
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Headphone Statistics By Regions
Global
- As of 2023, Headphone Statistics state that the market value is expected to reach $17.6 billion.
- Furthermore, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.40% between 2023 and 2028.
- In 2023, per head, projected revenues are 2.29%.
- In addition, the average volume per person is expected to be 0.1 pieces.
- Compared to the global headphones market, the majority of the revenue is projected to be generated by China, which will result in $3,953 million in 2023.
- The volume of headphones is expected to be $1.3 billion by 2028 and to grow at a CAGR of 3% by 2024.
America
- In the United States of America, the headphone market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.66% between 2023 – 2028 and is projected to value at $4.7 billion in 2023.
- The average volume per head in 2023 is projected to amount to 0.3 pieces in a similar year.
- Furthermore, the per-person revenues generated in the American region are expected to amount to $4.62.
- By 2028, the volume is projected to amount to 335.9m pieces.
Asia
- Asian Headphone Statistics state that the market is expected to amount to $7.7 billion by 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.52% between 2023 and 2028.
- In the Asian region, the volume is projected to amount to 0.6 billion pieces by 2028.
- Furthermore, in 2023, the per-person revenues are expected to amount to $1.70.
- In addition, the average volume per person is 0.1 pieces in a similar year.
Africa
- Between 2023 and 2028, the headphones market revenue in the African region is expected to amount to $1.2 billion and grow at a CAGR of 5.15%.
- Furthermore, the per-person revenue is $0.94 in 2023.
- The average volume per person in the African headphones market is projected to amount to 0.1 pieces.
- By 2028, the volume is projected to amount to 126.9 million pieces and is expected volume growth of 4.2% in 2024.
Europe
- According to European Headphone Statistics, in 2023, the revenue in the market is projected to amount to $3.7 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.30% between 2023 – 2028.
- The average volume per head in a similar year is 0.2 pieces, and the overall volume is expected to amount to 211.7m pieces by 2028.
- In addition, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% in 2024.
- Furthermore, the per-person revenues are expected to be generated in 2023 resulting in $4.40.
Leading Tech Christmas Gifts in the USA
(Reference: statista.com)
- As of 2022, 61 million Americans in the United States were most gifted with tech-related presents, including Headphones or earbuds.
- The other top two tech-related gifts were Streaming / download services (59 million) and Mobile device cases (54 million).
- In addition to the above, 50 million Americans were gifted mobile phones, while others went ahead with video game consoles (46 million).
By Type
(Source: sonarworks.com)
- Headphone Statistics by type state that the most used or preferred headphones are in the ear resulting in (49%).
- The overhead headphone is worn by 30% of the people. Whereas 7% of users prefer earbuds.
Conclusion
Headphones are truly a part of cutting-edge technology. You can listen to music, audiobooks, news, radio, and whatnot, and you can do it all by yourself. With rising innovations in technology, users can now select the mode of music they want to listen to. Moreover, headphones come with features such as long battery life, the ability to call, better audio quality, and much more.
However, whether it is advanced technology or not, using headphones every day for excessive hours could be harmful to your ears. So, you if are one of them, it is extremely important to keep headphones off your ears for the majority of the time.

Pramod Pawar brings over a decade of SEO expertise to his role as the co-founder of 11Press and Prudour Market Research firm. A B.E. IT graduate from Shivaji University, Pramod has honed his skills in analyzing and writing about statistics pertinent to technology and science. His deep understanding of digital strategies enhances the impactful insights he provides through his work. Outside of his professional endeavors, Pramod enjoys playing cricket and delving into books across various genres, enriching his knowledge and staying inspired. His diverse experiences and interests fuel his innovative approach to statistical research and content creation.