CONNECT WITH US
Tech

Tech

Why are earbuds usually cheaper than headphones?

Engadget logo

Published on

Add as a preferred source on Google
Why are earbuds usually cheaper than headphones?

Earbuds tend to be smaller and less complex to build than headphones.

Whether you're an audiophile or not, you likely have earbuds, headphones, or maybe both tucked in a drawer, tossed in your backpack or neatly stored on your desk. Having a way to privately listen to music, podcasts or the like in public has become a way of life. No one wants to hear your HR compliance videos blaring from your cubicle. You don't even have to listen to something to wear them — just ask anyone at the gym who's not in the mood for chit-chat. (Actually, don't do that. Just leave them alone.)

If you're in the market for a new pair, you might notice that earbuds tend to be cheaper than headphones. Cost is just one of a handful of factors that could influence your purchasing decision. At the moment, earbuds are popular. Data from market research firm Mordor Intelligence shows that true-wireless stereo earbuds accounted for 68.2% of revenue in the earbud and headphone market in 2025. The report noted that earbuds' portability and lightweight design, as well as improvements to the technology like battery life and spatial-audio rendering, could be contributing factors.

And while earbuds and headphones can both run the gamut in terms of quality and price, there are generally a few reasons earbuds are easier on your wallet.

Earbuds tend to be smaller and less complex to build than headphones, which translates into a smaller price tag. The components inside them might be cheaper based on size or materials used.


Source link

Disclaimer

We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We TheMorningPulse.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work. It's possible that some of the investors we feature may have connections to other businesses, including competitors or companies we write about. However, we want to assure our readers that this will not have any impact on the integrity or impartiality of our reporting. We are committed to delivering accurate, unbiased news and information to our audience, and we will continue to uphold our ethics and principles in all of our work. Thank you for your trust and support.