Bluetooth Headphones Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Over Ear, In Ear), By Distribution Channel (Multi-branded Store, Online Retail), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Report Overview

The global Bluetooth headphones market size was valued at USD 7.8 billion in 2018. The increasing penetration of smart devices such as smartphones, tablets, television, and laptops is expected to have a strong impact on the market growth. In addition, the introduction of noise cancellation techniques that facilitate a better listening experience for consumers is a key driving factor. This, in turn, is increasing the adoption of active noise cancellation (ANC) based wireless headphones.

Demand for Bluetooth headphones is anticipated to increase over the forecast period on account of their convenience. The incorporation of various technologies such as gesture recognition, on-bound storage, and hand-free calling have a positive impact on the market growth. Smartphones have made headphone jack obsolete. In the near future, Bluetooth headphones are expected to witness steady growth, which, in turn, is expected to fuel demand for high-quality products. Quality and sound sophistication are becoming important factors for consumers when purchasing headphones.

Consumers pay attention to whatever they purchase and make sure it is useful and reliable. In the digital world, information is easily available and consumers can educate themselves before purchasing. According to studies, demand for sound sophistication is growing among consumers at a global level. They are willing to spend around USD 145 to USD 300 on quality headphones. In addition, people consider various factors including sound, quality, noise cancellation, and overall aesthetic before purchase. Such factors are expected to have a positive impact on the market growth in the upcoming years.

The increasing adoption of wireless headsets among sport and fitness enthusiasts is expected to fuel demand for Bluetooth headphones over the forecast period. Manufacturers including Bose Corporation, Apple Inc., Sennheiser, and Sony Corporation are incorporating various advanced technologies such as biometrics in headsets owing to the growing demand for heart rate monitoring, calories burned, and distanced cover with time limits among athletes and sportspersons. Such advancements are expected to fuel demand for wireless headsets over the forecast period.

Product Insights

The in-ear segment held a leading share of 46.9% in 2018. Improvements including lightweight, battery life, noise cancellation, USB-C, and integration of voice assistants are the key factors driving demand for the in ear segment over the forecast period. Furthermore, the integration of advanced biometric sensors in headphones is expected to fuel demand for wireless in-ear headsets in sports and fitness activities as they assist in heart monitoring.

The over-ear segment is anticipated to register a CAGR of 12.5% from 2019 to 2025. Improved design and integration of advanced chips deliver faster connection times, more talk time, the convenience of handling, and integration of noise cancellation techniques are the factors fueling the adoption of the over-ear headsets over the forecast period. Moreover, owing to the growing demand for convenient headphones, companies including Bose, Sony, and Sennheiser are introducing advanced and improved headsets with built-in Voice Max microphone that enables them to conduct crystal clear conversations in the market.

Distribution Channel Insights

Online retail held a leading share of 49.2% in 2018. India and China are leading revenue contributors in the market and are going through the phase of the digital revolution, which is expected to transform consumers’ shopping behavior. Changing consumer preferences, increasing double-income households, rising penetration of smartphones, and extensive exposure to digital media are expected to have a positive impact on the market growth.

Online retailers such as Amazon and eBay, coupled with the local players including Flipkart, Taobao, and JD.com are gaining traction in India and China, particularly in mobile phone accessories and devices. For instance, Flipkart, a homegrown e-commerce giant, is setting up India’s largest logistic park near Bengaluru. The center will act as a nerve of the logistic system, helping the company in reducing cost and timely delivery of products. Such initiatives are expected to boost the sale of electronic goods, including wireless headsets through the online channel over the forecast period.

In countries like U.S. and U.K., the popularity of multi-branded stores with a physical presence and online sales is growing. The main reason for the growing popularity of order-online and the collect-in-store system is immediacy. Many consumers want products to be delivered quickly, thus ordering online means the product is in stock, thereby no wastage of journey and time. Owing to the growing popularity of multichannel retail, pure-play specialists such as Amazon are entering into partnerships or building warehouses to enable faster pickups, such as the Amazon lockers that are located in convenient locations in major cities and towns.

The multi-branded store is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.4% from 2019 to 2025. The increasing presence of these stores in developing countries such as India, China, and Brazil is a key factor driving the sale of Bluetooth headsets through multi-branded stores in the upcoming years. For instance, East India’s one of the largest consumer electronics retail chains, Great Eastern has planned to set up around 10 new stores across India. In addition, retail chain operators such as Vijay Sale, Great Eastern, and Adishwar are entering Tier II and III cities in India, which is expected to increase product visibility, thereby fueling the demand for Bluetooth headsets over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held a leading share of 34.0% in 2018. In the digital era, all things revolve around smart devices including smartphones, laptops, personal computers, and television. Furthermore, consumers are looking for headsets to use on the go, thus fueling the demand for devices that can connect to all these smart devices and wireless headsets and meet these needs by offering incomparable convenience. Increasing penetration of jack-less mobile phones, coupled with increasing spending on electronic goods in countries like India and China, is fueling demand for wireless headsets over the forecast period.

North America is expected to register the fastest CAGR of 12.9% from 2019 to 2025. Increasing penetration of truly wireless earphones is a key factor driving the market over the forecast period. High market visibility of smart devices in the U.S. and Canada is projected to be a key trend, thereby driving demand for wireless headphones. Furthermore, the rising preference for sound assistance headphones and Wi-Fi enabled plays a prominent role in the market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The global market is highly competitive in nature. The top players operating in the market are Apple Inc. and Sony Corporation. Some of the other players operating in the market are Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG; Bose Corporation; SAMSUNG; Koninklijke Philips N.V.; Panasonic Corporation; Plantronics, Inc.; Audio-Technica; and Skullcandy.com. Market players are queuing up product launches to increase their market share in the category. For instance, in 2018, Sennheiser launched a range of wireless headphones with advanced features such as a 3D soundbar, lightweight, and hand-free calling.

Bluetooth Headphones Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2015 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global bluetooth headphones market report on the basis product, distribution channel, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)

  • Over Ear

  • In Ear

  • On Ear

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)

  • Exclusive Store

  • Multi-branded Store

  • Online Retail

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2015 - 2025)

  • North America

    •  The U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    •  The U.K

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    •  India

  • Central & South America

    •  Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • South Africa