Stay ahead of the curve and future-proof your business with Mintel’s Headphones and Speakers Market Report 2023. Our full report is packed with consumer-led market intelligence, the latest trends and consumer behaviours affecting your industry. Get a 360° view of the UK speakers, earbuds and headphones market including market size, share and forecasted growth.
Below, we’ve handpicked the key insights analysed in the full report and summarised the core topics.
Key Issues Covered in this Report
- Types of headphones or earbuds owned and types of speakers in the household.
- Type of headphones or earbuds that consumers are most likely to use and on which occasions they use them.
- The impact of the cost of living crisis on purchases.
- How much people would be willing to spend on headphones, earbuds or speakers.
- Attitudes towards expert reviews and refurbished versions of these devices.
UK Headphones and Speakers Market Overview
The headphones and speakers market value is expected to grow to £1.4 billion in 2023, marking a 1.2% increase on the previous year. The market growth is driven by the popularity of wireless earbuds, which were consumers’ second highest priority technology purchases in the last three months, second only to smartphones.
UK Headphones and Speakers Market Trends and Opportunities
Gen Z has driven the shift away from wired earbuds to wireless. Refurbished earbuds are a key way to maximise on their interest in smart earbuds, as almost half Gen Z consumers would buy refurbished headphones or earbuds. Over three quarters of Gen Z think that sound quality of headphones and earbuds is more important than price. Therefore, refurbished versions of earbuds that used to be flagships are likely to appeal to them.
For more market opportunities and expert recommendations to secure future growth for your brand, purchase our full UK Headphones and Speakers Market Report. Readers of this report may also be interested in UK Sustainability in Technology Market Report.
More About this Report
This Report covers the UK market for headphones and earbuds, the type which you use to listen to music, radio, audiobooks, podcasts or other audio files. It covers wired headphones (eg Sennheiser HD 206), wireless headphones (eg Bose QuietComfort 45), fully wired earbuds (eg Apple EarPods), Bluetooth-based earbuds that have a wire connecting the two earbuds together (eg Powerbeats by Dre) and truly wireless earbuds (eg Apple AirPods). This Report also covers the UK market for speakers, both voice-controlled speakers (eg Amazon Echo, Google Nest) and Wi-Fi/Bluetooth speakers without voice control (eg Bose SoundLink Flex). Soundbars for televisions are also included in the definition of speakers. This Report does not cover speakers as part of an in-car media system.
Expert Analysis from an Industry Specialist
This report, written by Zach Emmanuel, a leading Technology analyst, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the UK Headphones and Speakers market and add expert context to the numbers.
Refurbished versions of former flagship earbuds are likely to appeal to Generation Z as they try to balance price and sound quality.
Zach Emmanuel
Technology Analyst
Collapse All
-
- Key issues covered in this Report
- Products covered in this Report
-
Executive Summary
- Opportunities for the headphones and speakers market
- Market outlook
- What consumers want and why
- Graph 1: type of headphones or earbuds owned, 2023
- Graph 2: brand of headphones or earbuds owned, 2023
- Graph 3: type of headphones or earbuds used most often, 2023
- Graph 4: most likely occasion to use headphones or earbuds, 2023
- Graph 5: type of speaker in household, 2023
- Graph 6: maximum price of headphones or speaker purchase, 2023
- Graph 7: attitudes towards branding, features and cost-of-living crisis on headphones and speaker purchases, 2023
-
Market Dynamics
- Market size and performance
- Graph 8: value of headphones, earbuds and speakers market, 2017-23
- Graph 9: value of headphones and earbuds, 2017-23
- Graph 10: value of household speakers, 2017-23
- Market forecast
- Market drivers
- Graph 11: CPI inflation rate, 2021-23
- Graph 12: technology purchases during previous three months, 2023
- Graph 13: AI will make voice-controlled speakers better, 2023
-
Companies and brands
- Market share for headphones and earbuds
- Graph 14: brand of headphones or earbuds owned, 2021 and 2023
- Graph 15: brand of headphones or earbuds owned by Younger Millennials, 2021-23
- Launch activity and innovation
-
Brand Research
- Graph 16: brand preferences, 2023
- Graph 17: brand satisfaction, 2023
- Graph 18: brand recommendations, 2023
- Graph 19: please choose all brands you associate with each statement, 2023
- Graph 20: associations with Sonos, 2023
-
What Consumers Want and Why
- Ownership of headphones and earbuds
- Graph 21: type of headphones or earbuds owned by Generation Z, 2021 vs 2023
- Ownership of home speakers
- Graph 22: types of speakers at home split by household income, 2023
- Uses of headphones and earbuds
- Graph 23: type of headphones or earbuds used most often, 2023
- Graph 24: most likely occasion to use headphones or earbuds crossed by using smart earbuds most frequently, 2023
- Graph 25: most likely occasion to use headphones or earbuds crossed by using wireless headphones most often, 2023
- Price of next headphones or speakers
- Graph 26: maximum price of headphones or speaker purchase, 2023
- Graph 27: maximum price for earbuds crossed by brand of headphones or earbuds owned, 2023
- Graph 28: maximum price of earbuds crossed by prioritising sustainability highly with technology purchases, 2023
- Attitudes towards headphones and speakers
- Graph 29: attitudes towards headphones and speakers, 2023
- Graph 30: preference of staying with the same earbud brand crossed by brand of headphones or earbuds, 2023
- Graph 31: prioritising sound quality over price crossed by owning Beats by Dre headphones or earbuds, 2023
-
Appendix
- Data sources, abbreviations and supporting information
- Market size and central forecast methodology
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
- Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
- Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
- Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
- Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
- Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
- Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
- Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
€ 1800 (Excl.Tax)
-
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or invoice (net 30 payment terms)
-
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
-
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
-
Save up to 20% when you purchase multiple reports
Discount automatically applied in basket
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn moreTrusted by global industry leaders
Mintel is really good for getting a handle on a particular category quickly. If we are working on a new business pitch in an area we don’t have much experience in, it’s a brilliant way to get up to speed with what’s going on, what’s changing and what the key trends are in any category.
It’s very rare now that anyone will plough through a 200-page report – that’s why the summaries are really useful. We know they are backed up by a lot of detail, so if you need to go into something in more depth you know the information will be all there for you.
Pauline Robson, Managing Partner, Mediacom
We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.
By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.
For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.
Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Mintel helps us when we want to know something quickly – it provides fast answers to our questions. If we need to get a view of what’s going on in a particular market it’s very useful.
When carrying out background research, I find Mintel an excellent starting point.
The fact that it covers so many markets is a big plus for me– instead of having to buy specialist products in each area we are interested in, especially when we only require a brief view on a particular market, we can go to Mintel for help as a one-stop shop. I find Mintel a useful and valuable resource.
Ben Zeidler, Director - Research and Analytics, Tenth Wave
When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.
They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.
So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.
Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.
Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.
Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn more
