JBL vs Sony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, JBL had more branded searches than Sony among bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand. JBL had about 39,300 branded searches, while Sony had 17,100. JBL made up 24.1% of all bluetooth headphones brand searches we track, and Sony accounted for 10.5%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about bluetooth headphones brands, both JBL and Sony appeared in all five answers. Sony was mentioned before JBL in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
JBL, about 2 searches for every 1 for Sony
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
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Top bluetooth headphones brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both JBL and Sony showed up in all five answers. Sony was listed before JBL in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Sony1st
Bose2nd
Sennheiser3rd
JBL4th
Apple AirPods5th
Skullcandy6th
Beats–
Samsung–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
JBL5 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
Bose4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sennheiser4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Apple AirPods3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Skullcandy1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Beats0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Samsung0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about bluetooth headphones brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which Bluetooth headphones brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best Bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best Bluetooth headphones brand in New Zealand for everyday listening?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“wireless headphones nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluetooth headphones nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is JBL or Sony more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for JBL and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight bluetooth headphones brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for JBL, Sony. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple AirPods | JBL | Sony | Bose | Sennheiser | Skullcandy | Beats | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 52.2% | 22.5% | 10.8% | 8.4% | 3.2% | 2% | 0.51% | 0.28% |
| Nov 2025 | 51.4% | 24.1% | 10.8% | 8.4% | 2.9% | 1.8% | 0.46% | 0.25% |
| Dec 2025 | 46.1% | 31.6% | 9.3% | 7.8% | 2.7% | 1.8% | 0.49% | 0.23% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.6% | 26.2% | 10.8% | 7.8% | 2.8% | 2% | 0.54% | 0.29% |
| Feb 2026 | 55% | 21.8% | 10.7% | 6.8% | 2.8% | 2.1% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.9% | 21% | 10.9% | 7.1% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| Apr 2026 | 50.6% | 25.1% | 10.8% | 7.3% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 0.45% | 0.3% |
| May 2026 | 52.8% | 22.3% | 10.6% | 7.6% | 3.9% | 2.2% | 0.41% | 0.22% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.5% | 22.3% | 10.2% | 7.7% | 4.5% | 2.2% | 0.4% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 51.7% | 22.6% | 10.7% | 7.4% | 4.6% | 2.3% | 0.4% | 0.27% |
| Aug 2026 | 53.4% | 22.7% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 3.9% | 2.8% | 0.37% | 0.3% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.4% | 24.1% | 10.5% | 6.9% | 3.4% | 2.8% | 0.61% | 0.24% |
How has the JBL and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- JBL was ahead of Sony in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JBL’s share of searches among bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand moved from 22.5% to 24.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 31.8K to 39.3K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand moved from 10.8% to 10.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.2K to 17.1K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand bluetooth headphones brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, JBL gained share of searches among bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand, from 22.7% to 24.1%.

In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among bluetooth headphones brands in New Zealand, from 9.1% to 10.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
18 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using JBL’s 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.
Other head-to-heads among bluetooth headphones brands

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