2026 is the year we wave bye-bye to Bluetooth, and I personally can't wait. Technology feels like it's approaching sci-fi horror territory. I want to ditch Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal and make use of my brand-new record player.
In these wild times, sometimes the best route isn’t forging ahead. It’s taking a step back and appreciating that which came before us — and that’s exactly what I think is going to happen in 2026.
Just in the past year, I’ve seen wired earbuds skyrocket in popularity thanks to celebrity endorsement (Zendaya, Harry Styles, Dua Lipa, to name a few) and retro nostalgia. Bye bye, Bluetooth — it’s all about wired audio now.
AirPods? No, it's all about EarPods now
I’m gonna go out on a limb here and make a wild assertion: AirPods are the most popular style of Bluetooth earbuds. I don’t think it’s too crazy to suggest — AirPods dominate Amazon’s electronics bestsellers list, and outrank every other brand. Right now, Amazon’s electronics bestsellers list only has AirPods and Beats. No JBL, no Samsung, no Bose. Just Apple.
At the time of writing, Apple EarPods are #2 on Amazon’s electronics bestseller list. No, not Amazon’s audio electronics bestseller list. Amazon’s overall electronics bestseller list. The EarPods have outsold AirTags, Amazon Fire TV Stick, AirPods Pro 3, and iPads (third, fifth, sixth, seventh, respectively).
The EarPods have one major hold over the AirPods Pro 3, though: their price. At just $17, the EarPods are mightily more affordable than the $99 AirPods 4 and the $249 Pro 3. That’s another reason why wired earbuds are going to make a big comeback this year. A lot of people simply don’t have the money for $300 earbuds.
Another reason why wired earbuds are making a comeback is that wired audio sounds better. Bluetooth is inherently lossless — meaning hi-res audio is incapable of being transmitted over basic Bluetooth codecs — but wired earbuds/IEMs (In Ear Monitors) don't suffer from this malady.
We've tested a couple of great IEMs recently: the Sennheiser IE 200 and Meze Alba. While both these wired earbuds/IEMs have fantastic sound quality and unbeatable comfort, neither has an integrated mic.
Personally, I don't mind this. We're too contactable. So what if I can't answer a call with a single touch control? Is the world going to end? No. I get to listen to my music, uninterrupted. Isn't that what we music lovers want, after all?
If you're serious about music, you'll probably adore IEMs. If you want some beginner-friendly earbuds, go for the Sennheiser IE 200, but if you can afford an extra $10, then the Meze Alba are a fantastic option, too.
Both have faithful, studio-quality audio and a surprisingly rich low-end, which is something often overlooked in audiophile gear.
Analog headphones are where it's at
Unlike the world of wired earbuds, which combines usability, functionality, portability, and audio quality, wired headphones are a different kettle of fish. Here, you'll find seriously powerful headphones — some even require a separate power source — for at-home listening sessions.
So while wired headphones are less of a fashion statement and more of an investment, that doesn't mean they're going to fly under the radar in 2026. Quite the opposite, actually.
With the rise of vinyls, owning a pair of the best wired headphones is imperative. If you don't want to listen to your music aloud and annoy your neighbours, you can stick a pair of headphones into your turntable and enjoy the crisp sound of vinyl directly into your earholes.
As the FiiO F13 and Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen were both released right at the end of 2025, it's fair to say that 2026 is the year these headphones could (and should) explode in popularity.
Retro tech is coming back — all these respected audio companies wouldn't be releasing wired and analog products otherwise — and headphones are a natural part of that.
That's not to say everyone is suddenly going to throw their AirPods and Bose QuietComforts in the trash and replace them with cumbersome, wired, power-hungry, DAC-requiring headphones.
There are different uses for different products. Sure, if you're going on a long-haul flight, definitely bring your ANC-enabled Bluetooth headphones or earbuds. But if you just want to listen at home, why not try some one-trick-pony-but-does-it-so-damn-well headphones, like the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen?
CDs and vinyls are heading back to the future
It's not just wired earbuds and wired headphones making a splash in 2026. CDs and vinyls are back with a vengeance.
Just a few weeks ago, audiophile brand FiiO released the DM15 R2R, a portable CD player, Bluetooth transmitter, and DAC in one. This is a unique product in the audiophile space, combining an old-school CD player with a modern Bluetooth and a DAC for high-powered headphones.
In theory, you could stream a CD to your Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Alternatively, you could go the whole hog and whip out your dusty '80s foam-cushioned headphones.
Audio companies wouldn't release products like this without demand — the DM15 R24's very existence is proof that the tides are turning, that analog audio is going to be a major trend this year.
2026 is the year we switch off and re-learn how to appreciate the world we live in — or, at least that's my New Year's resolution — and analog audio gear is one of the easiest ways to do that. Goodbye, Spotify playlists, hello LPs.
In 2026, I'm going to seriously work on building my vinyl collection. Maybe I'll put my old CDs to use and make a mixtape or two. After all, isn't that a great use of free will?
I got my first turntable last month — the U-Turn Orbit, which I love — and I can't believe it took me so long. Yes, they're expensive, but it's so worth it. You learn to appreciate music in a way that streaming has stolen from us. Holding a record, appreciating its artwork, listening to it from start to finish, just as the artist intended, feels less like consuming something mindlessly and more respectful.
What audio trends do you anticipate in 2026? Do you think Bluetooth is on its way out, or is this just the beginning of the wireless revolution? Do you think we're heading back to the '90s, or are you looking forward to the year in 2035? Let me know in the comments.
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