Brandwave

Bose vs JBL:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, JBL had more branded searches than Bose among ear buds brands in New Zealand. JBL had about 39,300 branded searches, while Bose had 11,200. JBL made up 26% of all ear buds brand searches we track, and Bose accounted for 7.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about ear buds brands, JBL appeared in three of the four answers and Bose in two. Bose and JBL were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.

Among ear buds brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

JBL, about 3 searches for every 1 for Bose

JBL 39.3K searchesBose 11.2K searches

Who does AI mention more?

JBL, mentioned in 3 of 4 answers, Bose in 2

JBL in 3 of 4Bose in 2 of 4

Who does AI recommend more?

Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.

Bose first in 2JBL first in 2

Follow Bose vs JBL and get free monthly updates on what changed

By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy

Track your brand against a rival →

Top ear buds brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, JBL was mentioned in three out of four: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in the Google AI Overview. Bose was mentioned in two out of four: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in the Google AI Overview. Bose and JBL were each listed first in two of the four answers.

Most recommended by AI

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

  1. Sony1st
  2. Apple AirPods2nd
  3. JBL3rd
  4. Bose4th

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
  • JBL3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
  • Bose2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers

See every answer about ear buds brands

4 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which ear buds brand should I buy in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Sony
    2. 2Apple AirPods
    3. 3JBL
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best ear buds brands in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Sony
    2. 2Bose
    3. 3JBL
    4. 4Apple AirPods
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best ear buds brand in New Zealand for everyday listening?”

    1. 1Sony
    2. 2JBL
    3. 3Apple AirPods
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “best earbuds”

    1. 1Sony
    2. 2Apple AirPods
    3. 3Bose
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “wireless earbuds”

    Google showed no AI Overview for this search.

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.

Is Bose or JBL more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Bose and JBL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four ear buds brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

Bose and JBL among ear buds brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for JBL, Bose. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthApple AirPodsJBLSonyBose
Oct 202555.6%24%11.5%9%
Nov 202554.3%25.4%11.4%8.9%
Dec 202548.6%33.4%9.8%8.2%
Jan 202652.6%27.7%11.5%8.2%
Feb 202658.3%23.1%11.3%7.2%
Mar 202658.5%22.3%11.6%7.6%
Apr 202653.9%26.7%11.5%7.8%
May 202656.6%24%11.4%8.1%
Jun 202656.6%24%11%8.3%
Jul 202655.9%24.5%11.6%8%
Aug 202657.6%24.5%9.8%8.1%
Sep 202655.3%26%11.3%7.4%

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

3 findings
  • JBL was ahead of Bose in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Bose’s share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand moved from 9% to 7.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 11.9K to 11.2K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, JBL’s share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand moved from 24% to 26%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 31.8K to 39.3K.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand ear buds brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, JBL gained share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand, from 24.5% to 26%.

  2. In September 2026, Bose lost share of searches among ear buds brands in New Zealand, from 8.1% to 7.4%.

How are branded searches counted?

19 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Bose’s 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.

Bose

7 branded search terms

  • bose
  • bose ear phones
  • bose qc
  • bose soundbar
  • bose soundlink
  • bose soundlink flex
  • bose speakers

JBL

12 branded search terms

  • jbl
  • jbl bluetooth speaker
  • jbl boombox 4
  • jbl boombox3
  • jbl ear buds
  • jbl earbuds
  • jbl mic
  • jbl partybox
  • jbl partybox 320
  • jbl sound bar
  • jbl speaker
  • jbl wireless mic

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among ear buds brands

Creator with pink hair and a pink jacket

Put your own brand in this comparison

Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.