How popular isApple AirPods?
In September 2026, people searched for Apple AirPods by name about 83,800 times in New Zealand, a 13.5% increase from the previous year. These searches made up 54.8% of all New Zealand bluetooth earbuds brand searches, placing Apple AirPods first out of six brands. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bluetooth earbuds brands, Apple AirPods appeared in all answers and was the fifth most recommended of the six.
Apple AirPods is the most searched of 6 competitors and the fifth most recommended in AI answers.
Apple AirPodsShare of searches 54.8%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
JBLShare of searches 25.7%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
SonyShare of searches 11.2%Mentioned in 4 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
BoseShare of searches 7.4%Mentioned in 3 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 4th
SoundcoreShare of searches 0.58%Mentioned in 2 of 4 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
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Top bluetooth earbuds brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Apple AirPods appeared in all four answers. Apple AirPods is the fifth most recommended of the six.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Apple AirPods4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Sony4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Samsung4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- JBL3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Bose3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
- Soundcore2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about bluetooth earbuds brands
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Bluetooth earbuds brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Bluetooth earbuds brand in New Zealand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wireless earbuds nz”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluetooth earbuds nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Which bluetooth earbuds brands compete with Apple AirPods?
Share of searches by month for Apple AirPods, JBL, Sony, Bose. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple AirPods | JBL | Sony | Bose | Soundcore | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.1% | 23.8% | 11.4% | 8.9% | 0.54% | 0.29% |
| Nov 2025 | 53.9% | 25.3% | 11.3% | 8.9% | 0.4% | 0.26% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.3% | 33.2% | 9.8% | 8.2% | 0.37% | 0.24% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.2% | 27.5% | 11.4% | 8.2% | 0.47% | 0.31% |
| Feb 2026 | 57.8% | 23% | 11.2% | 7.2% | 0.52% | 0.28% |
| Mar 2026 | 58% | 22.1% | 11.5% | 7.5% | 0.58% | 0.31% |
| Apr 2026 | 53.5% | 26.5% | 11.5% | 7.8% | 0.47% | 0.31% |
| May 2026 | 56.1% | 23.8% | 11.3% | 8% | 0.54% | 0.24% |
| Jun 2026 | 56.2% | 23.8% | 10.9% | 8.2% | 0.64% | 0.23% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.5% | 24.3% | 11.5% | 7.9% | 0.53% | 0.29% |
| Aug 2026 | 57.1% | 24.2% | 9.7% | 8% | 0.59% | 0.32% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.8% | 25.7% | 11.2% | 7.4% | 0.58% | 0.26% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 54.8% | 83.7K | -0.92% | -2.2 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 25.7% | 39.3K | +9.5% | +1.5 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 11.2% | 17.1K | +18.8% | +1.5 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 7.4% | 11.2K | -5.3% | -0.7 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 0.58% | 880 | 0% | 0 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 0.26% | 390 | -18.8% | -0.1 points |
54.8%
Held 1st. 83.7K estimated branded searches, -0.92% vs prior month. Share -2.2 points.
2.
JBL25.7%
Held 2nd. 39.3K estimated branded searches, +9.5% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.
3.
Sony11.2%
Held 3rd. 17.1K estimated branded searches, +18.8% vs prior month. Share +1.5 points.
4.
Bose7.4%
Held 4th. 11.2K estimated branded searches, -5.3% vs prior month. Share -0.7 points.
0.58%
Held 5th. 880 estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share 0 points.
6.
Samsung0.26%
Held 6th. 390 estimated branded searches, -18.8% vs prior month. Share -0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Apple AirPods and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Apple AirPods
10 comparisons
How has branded search demand for Apple AirPods changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
2 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Apple AirPods in New Zealand rose from 73.9K to 83.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple AirPods’ share of searches among bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand peaked at 58% in March 2026 and was lowest at 48.3% in December 2025.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand bluetooth earbuds brands in September 2026?
5 changes
In September 2026, JBL gained share of searches among bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand, from 24.2% to 25.7%.
In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand, from 9.7% to 11.2%.
In September 2026, Apple AirPods lost share of searches among bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand, from 57.1% to 54.8%.
In September 2026, Bose lost share of searches among bluetooth earbuds brands in New Zealand, from 8% to 7.4%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Soundcore in New Zealand rose 22.2% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 880 in September 2026.
How are Apple AirPods’ branded searches counted?
15 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple AirPods’ name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- airpods
- airpods 2
- airpods 3
- airpods 3 pro
- airpods 4
- airpods earbuds
- airpods earphones
- airpods headphones
- airpods max
- airpods pro
- apple airpods
- apple airpods 4
- apple airpods max
- apple airpods pro
- find mine airpods
Who owns Apple AirPods?
Apple AirPods is owned by Apple. Brandwave also tracks Apple AirTag, Apple Health Cycle Tracking, Apple iPad, Apple iPhone, Apple MacBook, Apple MagSafe, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Apple Photos / Google Photos, Apple Podcasts, Apple Reminders, Apple TV 4K, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch, Final Cut Pro, Find My, GarageBand, 
iCloud, iMovie, Keynote, Logic Pro and Safari, owned by the same company, in New Zealand.
Do you work for Apple AirPods? To request corrections or removal please contact us via our support page and we will be happy to assist.
Where does Apple AirPods compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone brands | 1st of 10 | 43.8% | Show ranking |
| Bluetooth headphones brands | 1st of 8 | 51.4% | Show ranking |
| Bluetooth earbuds brands | 1st of 6 | 54.8% | Shown above |
| Earphones brands | 1st of 6 | 55.1% | Show ranking |
| Ear buds brands | 1st of 4 | 55.3% | Show ranking |
Is Apple AirPods your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.