Apple AirPods vs Sony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than Sony among wireless earbud brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while Sony had 3.6 million. Apple AirPods made up 58.2% of all wireless earbud brand searches we track, and Sony accounted for 14%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wireless earbud brands, both Apple AirPods and Sony appeared in all five answers. Sony was mentioned before Apple AirPods in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apple AirPods, about 4 searches for every 1 for Sony
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Sony, named ahead of Apple AirPods in every answer
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Top wireless earbud brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Apple AirPods and Sony showed up in all five answers. Sony was listed before Apple AirPods in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Sony1st
Bose2nd- Apple AirPods3rd
Soundcore4th
Samsung5th
Beats6th
Jabra7th
JBL8th
Skullcandy–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Apple AirPods5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- 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
- Soundcore4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Beats3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Samsung3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- JBL2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Jabra1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Skullcandy0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about wireless earbud brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which wireless earbud brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best wireless earbud brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best wireless earbud brand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best wireless earbuds”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“noise cancelling earbuds”
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 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 nine wireless earbud brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, Sony. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple AirPods | JBL | Sony | Beats | Skullcandy | Soundcore | Bose | Jabra | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 63.5% | 12.9% | 11.3% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.81% | 1.4% | 0.58% |
| Nov 2025 | 62.5% | 14.6% | 11.3% | 5.5% | 2% | 1.6% | 0.94% | 1.1% | 0.55% |
| Dec 2025 | 62.1% | 15.2% | 11.4% | 5.4% | 2% | 1.6% | 0.93% | 0.89% | 0.45% |
| Jan 2026 | 57.4% | 15.9% | 14.1% | 6% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.83% | 1.2% | 0.6% |
| Feb 2026 | 56.4% | 14.6% | 14.8% | 6.2% | 2.3% | 2.3% | 0.88% | 1.6% | 0.89% |
| Mar 2026 | 59.2% | 13.8% | 13.7% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.96% | 1.4% | 0.8% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.9% | 20% | 13.9% | 5.8% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.82% | 1.5% | 0.72% |
| May 2026 | 53.6% | 18.3% | 14.5% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.83% | 1.3% | 0.73% |
| Jun 2026 | 54.5% | 18% | 14.2% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 0.82% | 1.3% | 0.71% |
| Jul 2026 | 53.4% | 17.6% | 16.2% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.81% | 1.3% | 0.82% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.2% | 17.2% | 15.7% | 5.2% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.9% | 1.2% | 0.75% |
| Sep 2026 | 58.2% | 14.4% | 14% | 5.9% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.59% |
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 wireless earbud brands worldwide moved from 63.5% to 58.2%, 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 wireless earbud brands worldwide moved from 11.3% to 14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.9M to 3.6M.
How did search popularity change for wireless earbud brands worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apple AirPods gained share of searches among wireless earbud brands worldwide, from 54.2% to 58.2%.
In September 2026, Sony lost share of searches among wireless earbud brands worldwide, from 15.7% to 14%.
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
Other head-to-heads among wireless earbud brands
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