Wired earbuds are finding a new audience after years of being pushed aside by Bluetooth devices, with younger consumers and celebrities helping turn cables into a retro fashion statement.
Bose has joined the revival, introducing its first new wired earbuds in 11 years. Launched on September 28, the $99 USB-C earbuds feature active noise cancellation, lossless audio support and an inline remote. They do not have an internal battery, require Bluetooth pairing or need a companion app.
The comeback comes as sales of wired headphones show signs of recovery. After 5 years of declines, the category grew 3% in 2025, while sales increased 10% between July and December. During the first 6 weeks of 2026, wired headphone revenue rose 20%, according to Circana.
Bose President of Consumer Audio Raza Haider said he noticed the trend after seeing wired earbuds becoming more common among younger people, including his teenage child’s peers.
Celebrities have also helped bring the look back into popular culture. Bella Hadid was photographed wearing Apple’s wired EarPods in 2019, followed by appearances from stars including Lily-Rose Depp and Zoë Kravitz. Singer Addison Rae also featured wired earbuds in the music video for her 2025 song “Headphones On”.
For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the wired design can feel less like outdated technology and more like a retro accessory. The trend is also part of a wider interest in older-style consumer technology. Circana reported that sales volume for digital point-and-shoot cameras jumped 93% in 2025.
Practicality is another factor. Dua Lipa has said wired headphones appeal to her because they mean “one less thing to charge”, while actor Paul Mescal has pointed to the tendency of wireless earbuds to fall out.
Price also creates a significant difference. Circana puts the average selling price of wired headphones at about $13 in 2025, compared with $99 for Bluetooth headphones.
The market now ranges from basic wired models to premium options. Apple’s USB-C EarPods have an MRP of ₹2,190 in India, while Sony’s MDR-EX15AP is priced at ₹890. Sennheiser’s USB-C CX 80 U carries an MRP of ₹3,990 and offers plug-and-play audio, an inline remote and microphone without charging or pairing.
Bose is targeting the premium end with its $99 wired model, combining the convenience of a cable with active noise cancellation and lossless audio support. The earbuds draw power directly from the connected device.
However, the revival does not mean wireless headphones are losing their dominant position. True wireless remained the leading headphone format in 2025, accounting for 65% of total headphone spending, according to Circana.
Wired headphones still come with drawbacks, including tangled cables and the physical connection to a device. Their resurgence therefore appears to be developing alongside wireless audio rather than replacing it.
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