Wireless Headphones Market - Global Outlook and Forecast 2019-2024

This market research report on the global wireless headphones market offers analysis on market size & forecast, market share, industry trends, growth drivers, and vendor analysis. The market study also includes insights on segmentation by feature (smart and non-smart), by type (in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear), by price range (low, moderate, and premium), by end-use (entertainment, fitness & sports, and gaming), and by geography (APAC, Europe, North America, Latin America, and MEA).

Wireless Headphones Market - Overview

The advancement in technology, manufacturing, transmission, and portable consumer goods is leading to innovations in the global wireless headphones market. The vast transformation in the appearance, sound delivery, portability, and connectivity of these products is fueling the demand of wirelss earphones. In-line microphones are now primarily a standard feature, wireless connectivity becoming more affordable in the future with health sensors and other extra capabilities are likely to increase the multifunctionality of these devices. The leading vendors are investing in the testing and adoption of different technologies to reduce or block external noises. The introduction of noise-cancellation and noise-isolation devices has revolutionized the industry. Technological advancements such as SKAA, Bluetooth, infrared, and Wi-Fi are enabling vendors to attract new consumers. The rapid adoption of wearable technology and paradigm changes in consumer preferences towards the use of these devices will positively impact the demand in the market. The introduction of smart hearables will drive the demand for wireless earbuds with augmented hearing and language translation capabilities. The development of hearables that deliver outstanding sounds and superior ways to integrate IoT, biometric monitoring, augmented hearing, ambient noise control, increase awareness of surrounding, and delivering all this information to the user’s ears will revolutionize the global market over the next few years. The launch of innovative products with superior features will contribute to the growing sales. The integration of products with smart features such as hearing aids, fitness tracker wearables, and speech modulation devices will contribute to the development of the global wireless headphones market.

The market is currently witnessing the incorporation of newer technologies such as gesture recognition and control, active head tracking, biometric monitoring, 3D surround sound delivery, and onboard storage in over-ear. The integration of these products with a home entertainment system will result in the evolution of the global market. The global wireless headphones market is anticipated to generate revenues of around $34 billion by 2024, growing at a CAGR of approximately 20% during 2018-2024. The market research report also offers market share analysis in terms of unit volumes produced during the forecast period.

Wireless Headphones Market - Dynamics

The increasing number of collaborations between the manufacturers and several industry partners is one of the major factors attributing to the growing revenues in the global wireless headphones market. The industry partners comprise sectors such as smartphones, other mobile devices, music, fashion, and entertainment including several music artists and celebrities. These collaborations have led to the launch of new variants of existing models and garnered new sales. The collaborations with complementary industry partners also allow the vendors to minimize research and development costs to develop new products in the market. The rising demand for high-quality products at affordable prices is encouraging the players to invest in the development of new earphones and headphones with value-added features at competitive prices. For instance, in 2014, Apple acquired Beats Electronics for $3.20 billion. This acquisition aimed to manufacture listening products that are compatible with Apple line of products such as iPhone, iPod, iPad, and MacBook. The easy affordability of mobile phones, easy availability, and accessibility of the internet is boosting the demand for mobile music accessories, thereby, driving demand in the global wireless headphones market.

Wireless Headphones Market – Segmentation

This market research report includes a detailed segmentation of the market by features, type, price range, end-use, and geography.

Wireless Headphones Market – By Features

Smart features such as water resistance, gesture recognition, sensors, and biometric recognition are driving the global wireless headphones market

The global wireless headphones market by features is categorized into smart and non-smart. Smart features segment dominated more than half of total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of approximately 23% during the forecast period. The introduction of smart products that offer real-time problem-solving capabilities is gaining immense popularity in the global market. The vendors are introducing products with smart features such as virtual assistants, gesture recognition, biometric monitoring, voice controls, and language translation to attract the maximum number of consumers. The increasing application of these products in the sports and fitness industry will drive revenues in this market segment during the forecast. The integration of advanced features like water resistance, gesture recognition, sensors, and biometric recognition will lead to the evolution of the global wireless headphones market.

Non-smart products offer basic functionality such as connecting via Bluetooth, answering calls, and streaming music. The increasing availability and adoption of technologically advanced product portfolios will adversely impact the growth of the non-smart products in the global wireless headphones market.

Wireless Headphones Market – By Type

Hi-fidelity sounds of over-ear earphones are contributing to the revenues in the global wireless headphones market

The type segment is categorized into in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear. The over-ear wireless headphones are the fastest growing segment in the global market, at a CAGR of around 27% during the forecast period. The launch of over-ear products with built-in capability to reduce external noise and extra comfort to the user is propelling the growth of this segment. The introduction of features such as hi-fidelity sound is fueling the demand for these products in the global market. The major feature of this product is the ability to reduce outside noise significantly and improve the sound experience of the end-user in the market. The leading vendors are investing in several advancements in the manufacturing and audio technology to gain a larger global market share. The launch of devices including timbre and related sound harmonics and envelope is driving the development of this segment in the global wireless headphones market.

The availability of in-ear phones with the balanced armature and that offer detailed sound with higher treble range is propelling the demand for these products in the global market. The additional capabilities of on-ear earphones such as noise cancellation, active noise cancellation, and controlling ambient sound are contributing to the growing revenues in the global wireless headphones market.

Wireless Headphones Market – By End-Use

Need for personalized listening experience is fueling the growth of the global wireless headphones market

The global wireless headphones market by end-use is segmented into entertainment, fitness & sports, and gaming. Entertainment segment dominated close to 2/3^rd of the total market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of approximately 21% during the forecast period. The evolution of the music industry and the popularity of portable devices such as iPods, MP3, MP4 players, and online music sites are the major factors attributing to the growth of this segment. The introduction of smart technology that provides features to control the ambient sounds and deliver a personalized listening experience will transform this market segment over the next few years. The manufacturers are collaborating with several music artists to launch their name edition products to attract a maximum number of consumers. The growth of the streaming industry will fuel the growth of this segment in the global wireless headphones market.

The increasing adoption for smart wearable devices that track activities, heart rate, calories, and blood pressure will contribute to the growing demand in the fitness and sports segment in the market. The gaming industry is witnessing the development of products with longer-lasting batteries, ability to charge while playing, surround sound, hot battery swapping, and improved band and earpiece for increased comfort enabling the user to play for longer hours. Such developments will boost consumer confidence levels in the global wireless headphones market.

Wireless Headphones Market – By Price Range

Medium range wireless headphones with equalizer settings and multifunction buttons will boost sales in the market

The price range segment is divided into low, moderate, and premium. Moderate priced wireless headphones are the fastest growing segment in the global market, growing at a CAGR of approximately 22% during the forecast period. The introduction of medium-priced products that offer equalizer settings, multifunction buttons, better battery life, and some degree of resistance to water and sweat is fueling the growth of this segment. The medium price wireless earphones range from $50 to $99.99. The launch of newer models with activate voice assistants such as Siri and Google Now is enabling players to gain a larger global wireless headphones market share.

The increasing availability of low range products on various e-commerce websites and domestic electronic stores is fueling the growth of this segment in the global market. Premium range products offer hi-tech functionalities such as layered hearing and speech amplification in the global market.

Wireless Headphones Market – By Geography

Digital audio subscription across Europe will lead to the development of new products in the global wireless headphones market

The global wireless headphones market by geography is segmented into APAC, Europe, North America, Latin America, and MEA. Europe occupied the largest market share in 2018, growing at a CAGR of more than 17% during the forecast period. The growing adoption of paid digital audio subscriptions and engagement in fitness and sports activities is fueling the growth of the European market. The research analysts at Arizton believes the consumer trend of investing in music and fitness subscriptions, as well as fitness gear, creates opportunities for vendors operating in the European market. The rising rate of savings will lead to the sale of high-cost consumer durables and electronic products in Europe. Celebrities endorsing these products will fuel the demand for earbuds and other music accessories in the region, thereby, contributing to the growth of the global wireless headphones market.

Introduction of products with features such as convenient wireless charging, portable designs, water resistance, advanced sound control, sensors, gesture control, and better battery life is driving the growth of the market in North America. Japan, South Korea, and Australia in the APAC region are contributing to the global market revenues.

The key countries profiled in the report are:

• US
• Canada
• UK
• Germany
• France
• China
• South Korea
• Brazil
• Mexico
• UAE
• South Africa

Key Vendor Analysis

The global wireless headphones market is moderately diverse due to the presence of several international and regional players. The increasing demand for specialized, high-end, and better sound quality products will create lucrative opportunities for the leading players operating in the global market. The growing focus on the development of advanced products will help manufacturers access emerging regions worldwide. The recent innovations in the charging technologies will help players sustain the intense competition.

The major vendors in the global market are:

• Apple
• Bose
• Samsung
• Sony
• Sennheiser

Other prominent vendors include Skullcandy, Jabra, Bang and Olufsen, Jaybird, Motorola, Huawei, Avanca,  Amkette, ASUS, Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic, Creative Technology, Denon, Grado Labs, The House of Marley, JAYS, JVCKENWOOD, Logitech,  MONSTER CABLE PRODUCTS, Panasonic, Parrot, Philips, Pioneer, Shure, Sol Republic, Turtle Beach, Urbanears, Westone Laboratories, Alphabet, Bragi, Nuheara, Rowkin, Crazybaby, Earin, Meizu, Waverly Labs, and MyManu.

Key market insights include

1. The analysis of global wireless headphones market provides market size and growth rate for the forecast period 2018-2024.
2. It offers comprehensive insights into current industry trends, trend forecast, and growth drivers about the global wireless headphones market.
3. The report provides the latest analysis of market share, growth drivers, challenges, and investment opportunities.
4. It offers a complete overview of market segments and the regional outlook of the global market.
5. The report offers a detailed overview of the vendor landscape, competitive analysis, and key market strategies to gain competitive advantage.