Brandwave

How popular isSony?

In September 2026, people searched for Sony by name about 4.6 million times worldwide, a 15% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 34.1% of all global over-ear headphone brand searches, placing Sony first out of seven brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about over-ear headphone brands, Sony appeared in all answers and was the most recommended of the seven.

Search and AI answers in September 2026

Sony is the most searched of 7 competitors and the most recommended in AI answers.

  1. SonyShare of searches 34.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
  2. Apple AirPods MaxShare of searches 29.3%Mentioned in 2 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
  3. BoseShare of searches 18.1%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 2nd
  4. Audio-TechnicaShare of searches 7.3%Mentioned in 0 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations –
  5. Bowers & WilkinsShare of searches 4.8%Mentioned in 1 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th

+2 more

Sony website (opens in a new tab)

Follow Sony and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Top over-ear headphone brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Sony appeared in all five answers. Sony is the most recommended of the seven.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Sony1st
  2. Bose2nd
  3. Sennheiser3rd
  4. Apple AirPods Max4th
  5. Bowers & Wilkins5th
  6. Audio-Technica–
  7. Beyerdynamic–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Sony5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Bose5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
  • Sennheiser4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Apple AirPods Max2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Bowers & Wilkins1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Audio-Technica0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Beyerdynamic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about over-ear headphone brands

5 answers

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Which over-ear headphone brands compete with Sony?

Sony against over-ear headphone brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Sony, Apple AirPods Max, Bose, Audio-Technica, Bowers & Wilkins, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthSonyApple AirPods MaxBoseAudio-TechnicaBowers & WilkinsBeyerdynamicSennheiser
Oct 202530.6%31.5%18%7.8%5.2%3.7%3.2%
Nov 202530.3%33.2%18.8%6.7%4.5%3.8%2.7%
Dec 202529.8%34.7%18.2%7%4.7%3.3%2.3%
Jan 202628.3%35.8%15.4%8.8%4.8%4.1%2.8%
Feb 202632.2%31%16.4%7.7%5.1%4.4%3.1%
Mar 202631.2%34.1%16%6.9%4.6%4%3.3%
Apr 202629.4%32.1%18.3%8%5.3%3.7%3.1%
May 202632.6%29.2%18.7%7.2%5.9%3.4%3.1%
Jun 202632%26.4%20.3%8%6.4%3.7%3.2%
Jul 202632.3%26.6%20.7%8%5.3%3.8%3.2%
Aug 202633.3%28.7%19.9%7.1%4.7%3.3%2.9%
Sep 202634.1%29.3%18.1%7.3%4.8%3.4%3.1%

  1. 1.Sony

    34.1%

    Held 1st. 1.2M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.7 points.

  2. 2.Apple AirPods Max

    29.3%

    Held 2nd. 1M estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.6 points.

  3. 3.Bose

    18.1%

    Held 3rd. 617K estimated branded searches, -11.3% vs prior month. Share -1.9 points.

  4. 4.Audio-Technica

    7.3%

    Held 4th. 249K estimated branded searches, +0.12% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

  5. 5.Bowers & Wilkins

    4.8%

    Held 5th. 165K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  6. 6.Beyerdynamic

    3.4%

    Held 6th. 117K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.

  7. 7.Sennheiser

    3.1%

    Held 7th. 105K estimated branded searches, +4.9% vs prior month. Share +0.2 points.

Compare popularity between Sony and its closest rivals

Every comparison with Sony

67 comparisons

How has branded search demand for Sony changed worldwide over the last 12 months?

4 findings
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Sony worldwide rose from 4M to 4.6M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among over-ear headphone brands worldwide increased from 30.6% to 34.1%.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among over-ear headphone brands worldwide peaked at 34.1% in September 2026 and was lowest at 28.3% in January 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony rose from 2nd to 1st among over-ear headphone brands worldwide.

How did search popularity change for over-ear headphone brands worldwide in September 2026?

6 changes

  1. In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among over-ear headphone brands worldwide, from 33.3% to 34.1%.

  2. In September 2026, Apple AirPods Max gained share of searches among over-ear headphone brands worldwide, from 28.7% to 29.3%.

  3. In September 2026, Bose lost share of searches among over-ear headphone brands worldwide, from 19.9% to 18.1%.

  4. Estimated monthly branded searches for Beyerdynamic worldwide fell 18.5% over 12 measured months, from 143K to 117K in September 2026.

  5. Estimated monthly branded searches for Audio-Technica worldwide fell 18% over 12 measured months, from 303K to 249K in September 2026.

  6. Estimated monthly branded searches for Bowers & Wilkins worldwide fell 17.9% over 12 measured months, from 201K to 165K in September 2026.

How are Sony’s branded searches counted?

10 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Sony’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.

  • sony
  • sony camera
  • sony cyber shot
  • sony headphone
  • sony headphones
  • sony memory card
  • sony projector
  • sony sd card
  • sony wh 1000xm5
  • sony wh 1000xm6

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Who owns Sony?

Sony is owned by Sony. Brandwave also tracks PlayStation and PlayStation VR2, owned by the same company, worldwide.

Do you work for Sony? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.

Where does Sony compete?

Sony is ranked in 24 competitor sets. Each share is worked out among that set's brands, so it differs from set to set.
Competitor setRankShare of searchesRanking
Wireless earbud brands3rd of 914%Show ranking
Headphone brands3rd of 1014.2%Show ranking
Wireless headphones brands3rd of 1014.4%Show ranking
Ear buds brands3rd of 515.5%Show ranking
Earphones brands3rd of 815.6%Show ranking
Bluetooth speaker brands2nd of 932.2%Show ranking
Surround sound system brands2nd of 1038.2%Show ranking
Party speaker brands2nd of 738.3%Show ranking
Soundbar brands2nd of 834.4%Show ranking
Home cinema brands2nd of 1241%Show ranking
Wireless headset brands1st of 939.5%Show ranking
Kids headphones1st of 555.2%Show ranking
Camera brands1st of 853.1%Show ranking
TV brands1st of 749.9%Show ranking
Projector brands1st of 946.4%Show ranking
Camera lens brands1st of 764.6%Show ranking
Television brands1st of 559.6%Show ranking
Wide angle lens brands1st of 576.6%Show ranking
Telephoto lens brands1st of 477.9%Show ranking
Studio headphone brands1st of 688.6%Show ranking
Home theater projector brands1st of 686.8%Show ranking
Over-ear headphone brands1st of 734.1%Shown above
Memory card brands4th of 70.96%Show ranking
Laser projector brands4th of 106.5%Show ranking
Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Is Sony your brand?

Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.

Start free