Something strange has happened on my journey to work. Every other person now seems to be wearing corded headphones. It’s no longer just the middle-aged tech bro. So are we rewinding, or moving forward into a new era?

Who made the first wireless headphones?

The answer is Ericsson. The first Bluetooth device ever was a wireless headset, unveiled in 1999, and it won the “Best of Show” award at COMDEX. That headset was the HBH-10, and it cost $199 and had a range of up to 30 feet. It was built for phone calls, not music. Bluetooth stereo headphones didn’t arrive until 2004. True wireless earbuds came much later, when Apple launched the first AirPods in 2016.

The advantages were obvious. Who likes running a 10k with a cord dangling around their neck? Your phone doesn’t need to be on you to listen to a podcast or take a call. You can pair wireless earphones with multiple devices and switch between them easily.

How corded headphones became a relic

Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone in 2016, and corded headphones quickly became a relic. They were an item that showed which generation you belonged to. Then there was the storage problem. Cables get tangled, they break, and eventually they short out.

Some people also claimed that wireless earphones were dangerous. The science says Bluetooth uses low-energy radio waves, and no long-term study has shown harm. Even the people writing about the comeback are clear that it isn’t happening because of radiation fears.

Are corded headphones really making a comeback?

The numbers say yes. After five consecutive years of falling demand, wired headphone purchases rose sharply in the second half of 2025, according to analytics firm Circana. Revenue then increased by 20% in the first six weeks of 2026. That follows a low point in 2024, when popularity hit a near all-time low, according to Forbes.

Keep it in perspective, though. Wireless still holds roughly 80% of the market, so this is a bounce, not a takeover.

Why are people going back to wired headphones?

• No charging. Nothing is more annoying than a dead earbud on the way home.
• No latency. Gamers and anyone watching video notice the delay on Bluetooth.
• Lower cost. Wired pairs are cheaper, and they’re less painful to lose. If you’ve ever lost an earbud in the sofa or down the side of the bed, you know the struggle.
• Fashion. Wired headphones have become a style statement, and celebrities have been photographed wearing them.
• Digital detox. Some younger listeners want simpler technology with fewer apps, updates and batteries.

The disadvantages of corded headphones

Before you dig out that old pair, here is why you might not want corded headphones.

• Tangles and snags. Cords catch on bags, door handles and gym equipment.
• Wear and tear. Cables fray and break, usually near the plug.
• No jack on many phones. You may need a dongle, which is one more thing to lose.
• Restricted movement. Running, cooking or cleaning with a cord is awkward, and your phone has to stay close.
• Fewer features. Wired pairs usually offer less noise cancellation, no easy device switching and no hands-free voice assistant.
• Cable noise. The cord can rub against clothing and send a thump into your ears.

So, should you buy corded headphones this Black Friday?

Is this a passing trend or a mainstay? Many people are settling on both: wireless for the gym and the commute, wired for work, study and long listening sessions.

Where do you stand, or sit, on this one? Are you going corded this Black Friday?