Apple AirPods vs Skullcandy:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple AirPods had more branded searches than Skullcandy among wireless headphones brands worldwide. Apple AirPods had about 14.9 million branded searches, while Skullcandy had 550,000. Apple AirPods made up 59.8% of all wireless headphones brand searches we track, and Skullcandy accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about wireless headphones brands, Apple AirPods appeared in three of the five answers and Skullcandy in none.
Who do people search for more?
Apple AirPods, about 27 searches for every 1 for Skullcandy
Who does AI mention more?
Apple AirPods, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Skullcandy in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple AirPods, the only one of the two named
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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. Skullcandy did not appear in any of the five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Sony1st
Bose2nd
Sennheiser3rd
Soundcore4th- Apple AirPods5th
JBL6th
Samsung7th
Beats8th
Skullcandy–- 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
Asked ChatGPT
“Which wireless headphones brand should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best wireless headphones brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best wireless headphones brand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best wireless headphones”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“noise cancelling headphones”
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 Skullcandy more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple AirPods and Skullcandy 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.
Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, Skullcandy. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple AirPods | JBL | Sony | Beats | Skullcandy | Soundcore | Samsung | Bose | Mpow | Sennheiser |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 64.9% | 13.2% | 11.5% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.43% | 0.07% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Nov 2025 | 63.8% | 14.9% | 11.5% | 5.6% | 2% | 1.7% | 0.41% | 0.06% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Dec 2025 | 63.3% | 15.4% | 11.7% | 5.5% | 2% | 1.7% | 0.33% | 0.06% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Jan 2026 | 58.6% | 16.3% | 14.4% | 6.1% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.45% | 0.06% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.9% | 15% | 15.2% | 6.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.71% | 0.06% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Mar 2026 | 60.7% | 14.2% | 14% | 5.7% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.63% | 0.05% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.2% | 20.5% | 14.2% | 6% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.54% | 0.06% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| May 2026 | 54.8% | 18.8% | 14.8% | 6% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.54% | 0.06% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jun 2026 | 55.7% | 18.4% | 14.5% | 5.9% | 2.2% | 2.7% | 0.53% | 0.06% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Jul 2026 | 54.6% | 18% | 16.6% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 2.1% | 0.64% | 0.05% | 0.03% | <0.01% |
| Aug 2026 | 55.4% | 17.6% | 16.1% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 2.4% | 0.59% | 0.05% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
| Sep 2026 | 59.8% | 14.8% | 14.4% | 6% | 2.2% | 2.2% | 0.44% | 0.06% | 0.02% | <0.01% |
How has the Apple AirPods and Skullcandy comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apple AirPods was ahead of Skullcandy 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 headphones brands worldwide moved from 64.9% to 59.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 14.9M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Skullcandy’s share of searches among wireless headphones brands worldwide held steady at 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 550K.
How did search popularity change for wireless headphones brands worldwide in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Apple AirPods gained share of searches among wireless headphones brands worldwide, from 55.4% to 59.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
5 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple AirPods’ and Skullcandy’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
Skullcandy
1 branded search term
- skullcandy
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