Brandwave

Apple AirPods vs JBL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than JBL among wireless headphones brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while JBL had 3.7 million. Apple AirPods made up 59.8% of all wireless headphones brand searches we track, and JBL accounted for 14.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wireless headphones brands, Apple AirPods appeared in three of the five answers and JBL in one. Apple AirPods was mentioned before JBL in two out of three answers that named either.

Among wireless headphones 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 3 of 5 answers, JBL in 1

Apple AirPods in 3 of 5JBL in 1 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Apple AirPods, named ahead of JBL in 2 of 3 answers

Apple AirPods first in 2JBL first in 1

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Top wireless headphones brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple AirPods was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. JBL was mentioned in one out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple AirPods was listed before JBL in two out of three answers that named either.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Sony1st
  2. Bose2nd
  3. Sennheiser3rd
  4. Soundcore4th
  5. Apple AirPods5th
  6. JBL6th
  7. Samsung7th
  8. Beats8th
  9. Skullcandy–
  10. Mpow–

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 AirPods3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sennheiser3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • JBL1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Beats1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Samsung1 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
  • Mpow0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about wireless headphones 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 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 ten wireless headphones brands we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Apple AirPods and JBL among wireless headphones 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 AirPodsJBLSonyBeatsSkullcandySoundcoreSamsungBoseMpowSennheiser
Oct 202564.9%13.2%11.5%5.9%2.2%1.8%0.43%0.07%0.03%<0.01%
Nov 202563.8%14.9%11.5%5.6%2%1.7%0.41%0.06%0.02%<0.01%
Dec 202563.3%15.4%11.7%5.5%2%1.7%0.33%0.06%0.02%<0.01%
Jan 202658.6%16.3%14.4%6.1%2.2%1.8%0.45%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
Feb 202657.9%15%15.2%6.4%2.4%2.4%0.71%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
Mar 202660.7%14.2%14%5.7%2.6%2.1%0.63%0.05%0.03%<0.01%
Apr 202654.2%20.5%14.2%6%2.2%2.2%0.54%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
May 202654.8%18.8%14.8%6%2.2%2.7%0.54%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
Jun 202655.7%18.4%14.5%5.9%2.2%2.7%0.53%0.06%0.03%<0.01%
Jul 202654.6%18%16.6%5.8%2.1%2.1%0.64%0.05%0.03%<0.01%
Aug 202655.4%17.6%16.1%5.4%2.4%2.4%0.59%0.05%0.02%<0.01%
Sep 202659.8%14.8%14.4%6%2.2%2.2%0.44%0.06%0.02%<0.01%

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

3 findings

How did search popularity change for wireless headphones brands worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, Apple AirPods gained share of searches among wireless headphones brands worldwide, from 55.4% to 59.8%.

  2. In September 2026, JBL lost share of searches among wireless headphones brands worldwide, from 17.6% to 14.8%.

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 wireless headphones brands

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