Brandwave

Apple AirPods vs JBL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than JBL among ear buds brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while JBL had 3.7 million. Apple AirPods made up 64.5% of all ear buds brand searches we track, and JBL accounted for 16%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ear buds brands, Apple AirPods appeared in four of the five answers and JBL in two. Apple AirPods was mentioned before JBL in four out of five answers.

Among ear buds brands worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Apple AirPods, about 4 searches for every 1 for JBL

Apple AirPods 14.9M searchesJBL 3.7M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Apple AirPods, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, JBL in 2

Apple AirPods in 4 of 5JBL in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Apple AirPods, named ahead of JBL in 4 of 5 answers

Apple AirPods first in 4JBL first in 1

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Top ear buds brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple AirPods was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. JBL was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple AirPods was listed before JBL in four out of five answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Sony1st
  2. Bose2nd
  3. Soundcore3rd
  4. Apple AirPods4th
  5. JBL5th

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
  • Soundcore5 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
  • Apple AirPods4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about ear buds brands

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.

Is Apple AirPods or JBL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple AirPods and JBL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all five ear buds brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple AirPods and JBL among ear buds brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, JBL. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthApple AirPodsJBLSonySoundcoreBose
Oct 202570.4%14.3%12.5%1.9%0.87%
Nov 202568.7%16.1%12.4%1.8%1%
Dec 202568.1%16.6%12.5%1.8%0.99%
Jan 202663.7%17.7%15.7%2%0.89%
Feb 202663.4%16.4%16.7%2.6%0.95%
Mar 202666%15.4%15.3%2.3%1%
Apr 202658.9%22.3%15.5%2.4%0.89%
May 202659.6%20.4%16.1%3%0.9%
Jun 202660.5%20%15.8%2.9%0.88%
Jul 202659.2%19.6%18%2.3%0.86%
Aug 202659.9%19.1%17.4%2.6%0.97%
Sep 202664.5%16%15.5%2.4%1.6%

How has the Apple AirPods and JBL comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Apple AirPods was ahead of JBL in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple AirPods’ share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide moved from 70.4% to 64.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 14.9M.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JBL’s share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide moved from 14.3% to 16%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 3.4M to 3.7M.

How did search popularity change for ear buds brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Apple AirPods gained share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide, from 59.9% to 64.5%.

  2. In September 2026, JBL lost share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide, from 19.1% to 16%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 search terms

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

Apple AirPods

4 branded search terms

  • airpods
  • airpods 4
  • airpods pro
  • airpods pro 3

JBL

3 branded search terms

  • jbl
  • jbl charge 6
  • jbl speaker

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among ear buds brands

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