Brandwave

Apple AirPods vs Sony:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than Sony among ear buds brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while Sony had 3.6 million. Apple AirPods made up 64.5% of all ear buds brand searches we track, and Sony accounted for 15.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ear buds brands, Sony appeared in all five answers and Apple AirPods in four. Sony was mentioned before Apple AirPods 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 Sony

Apple AirPods 14.9M searchesSony 3.6M searches

Who does AI mention more?

Sony, mentioned in every answer we collected

Sony in 5 of 5Apple AirPods in 4 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

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

Sony first in 4Apple AirPods 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, Sony appeared in all five answers. Apple AirPods was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sony was listed before Apple AirPods 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 Sony more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple AirPods and Sony 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 Sony among ear buds brands worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, Sony. 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 Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Apple AirPods was ahead of Sony 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, Sony’s share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide moved from 12.5% to 15.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9M to 3.6M.

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, Sony lost share of searches among ear buds brands worldwide, from 17.4% to 15.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

7 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple AirPods’ and Sony’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

Sony

3 branded search terms

  • sony
  • sony cyber shot
  • sony headphone

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among ear buds brands

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