Wired headphones are back in fashion: why people are turning their backs on Bluetooth
Despite predictions that wired headphones would disappear following smartphone manufacturers’ decision to remove the audio jack, this type of headset is regaining popularity. Sales of such devices have been rising rapidly of late, with users increasingly turning back to wired headphones due to better sound quality and a sense of nostalgia for simpler technologies. This is according to the BBC.
In 2016, Apple removed the standard headphone jack from its iPhones, which many saw as the end of the era of wired audio. Gradually, other manufacturers also began to phase out this port. However, despite the popularity of Bluetooth devices, interest in classic headphones is unexpectedly resurging.
According to data from the analytics firm Circana, after five years of declining demand, sales of wired headphones surged in the second half of 2025. Furthermore, in the first six weeks of 2026, revenue from their sales increased by approximately 20%.
Arin Grusin, a social worker from Portland (USA), says that a few months ago she tried her fiancé’s old wired headphones and decided never to go back to wireless ones. According to her, the cable creates a sense of comfort and even signals to those around you that you are listening to music or a podcast.
Experts also highlight the practical advantages of such devices. Chris Thomas, editor of the SoundGuys website, explains that for the same price, wired headphones often provide better sound quality than Bluetooth models. Moreover, they are not dependent on the stability of a wireless connection or compatibility with different devices.
“With a cable, it’s simpler: you plug it in and it works straight away,” he notes.
However, the reasons for their popularity aren’t limited to technical specifications. In some circles, wired headphones have even become a fashion accessory. The Wired It Girls page is gaining popularity on Instagram, featuring photos of women wearing wired headphones — from ordinary users to celebrities, including Ariana Grande and Charli XCX.
Some social media users even link this trend to social status. A post has gone viral online featuring photos of actors Robert Pattinson and Lily-Rose Depp wearing wired headphones, with a caption suggesting this is supposedly the ‘new sign of class’.
At the same time, wired devices are appealing for their practicality. Wireless headphones need to be charged, and they can get lost or fail to connect to a smartphone. According to Los Angeles-based sound editor Aileen Doloboff, Bluetooth always adds an extra step to the user experience.
The return of cables also fits into a broader trend of interest in ‘retro technology’. In recent years, people have started using DVDs, cassettes, old cathode-ray tube televisions and even typewriters again.
However, the absence of a standard audio jack on most modern smartphones is forcing users to seek alternative solutions. Some headphones are sold with USB or Lightning cables, whilst special adapters are used for the traditional 3.5mm jack.
Despite the removal of the audio jack from the iPhone back in 2016, Apple continues to sell wired headphones. As the company’s CEO Tim Cook previously noted, demand for them remains strong, and customers are still actively buying them.
Thus, wired headphones, which just a few years ago were considered a thing of the past, are making a comeback in everyday life — not only because of the sound quality, but also thanks to fashion, convenience and users’ desire for simpler technology.
