Headphones Grew 14% in 2021, With 10% Rise in TWS Units: Futuresource

Global headphone shipments grew 14% last year to 548 million, with 10% growth in retail value to $48 billion, Futuresource reported Friday. The headphone market, “already riding high” from work- and learn-from home trends, benefited from a post-COVID-19 spending rebound, said analyst Saranraj Mathivanan. Supply chain challenges affected brands differently, said Mathivanan: “White label and smaller manufacturers felt more of the squeeze, as prominent brands tended to be given priority,” he said, though parts shortages and freight costs and delays “resulted in slimmer profit margins for everyone.” True wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds had more than half of the market, with 55% of global headphone shipments, up 10% from 2020 to over 300 million, Futuresource said. TWS revenue was $34 billion, up 17%.