United States's headphones market forecast to grow to 601M units and $7.5B in value by 2035.

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The United States headphone market is forecast for steady growth, with consumption expected to increase at a CAGR of +1.5% from 2024 to 2035, reaching 601 million units. In value terms, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of +1.6%, reaching $7.5 billion by 2035. In 2024, consumption was 509 million units (a 0.2% increase) with a market value of $6.3 billion. Domestic production fell sharply by -41.5% to 99 million units, valued at $6 billion. The US is heavily reliant on imports, which grew 20% to 426 million units, valued at $7.3 billion. China is the dominant supplier by volume (347M units, 81% share), while China and Vietnam are the top suppliers by value ($3.5B and $3.1B, respectively). The average import price was $17/unit. US exports contracted by -8.4% to 16 million units but grew in value to $1.1 billion. Canada is the primary export destination by both volume (7.2M units) and value ($448M). The average export price was significantly higher at $66/unit.

KEY FINDINGS

• US headphone market is forecast to grow to 601M units and $7.5B by 2035, with CAGRs of +1.5% and +1.6% respectively
• Domestic production fell sharply by -41.5% to 99M units in 2024, while imports surged by 20% to 426M units to meet demand
• China is the dominant import source by volume (81%), but Vietnam rivals it in import value due to a significantly higher average price of $49 per unit
• The US is a net exporter in value terms, with exports reaching $1.1B at a high average export price of $66 per unit
• Canada is the primary export destination, receiving 44% of US headphone exports by volume and 42% by value

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for headphones in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 601M units by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $7.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

United States's Consumption of Headphones

In 2024, consumption of headphones increased by 0.2% to 509M units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 510M units. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of the consumption failed to regain momentum.

The revenue of the headphone market in the United States expanded slightly to $6.3B in 2024, increasing by 1.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption continues to indicate a resilient expansion. Headphone consumption peaked at $6.3B in 2021; afterwards, it flattened through to 2024.

Production

United States's Production of Headphones

In 2024, approx. 99M units of headphones were produced in the United States; falling by -41.5% on 2023 figures. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a pronounced reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 when the production volume increased by 83%. Headphone production peaked at 222M units in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, headphone production shrank rapidly to $6B in 2024. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 when the production volume increased by 88%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $11.9B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

Imports

United States's Imports of Headphones

In 2024, approx. 426M units of headphones were imported into the United States; growing by 20% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 433M units. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, headphone imports soared to $7.3B in 2024. Overall, imports posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 151% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2024 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2024, China (347M units) constituted the largest supplier of headphone to the United States, accounting for a 81% share of total imports. Moreover, headphone imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (65M units), fivefold.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest.

In value terms, China ($3.5B) and Vietnam ($3.1B) appeared to be the largest headphone suppliers to the United States.

In terms of the main suppliers, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +61.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review.

Import Prices By Country

The average headphone import price stood at $17 per unit in 2024, with an increase of 1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 107%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $17 per unit in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($49 per unit), while the price for China totaled $10 per unit.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+18.1%).

Exports

United States's Exports of Headphones

Headphone exports from the United States contracted to 16M units in 2024, dropping by -8.4% on the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 18M units in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, headphone exports expanded rapidly to $1.1B in 2024. Overall, exports, however, recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Canada (7.2M units) was the main destination for headphone exports from the United States, accounting for a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, headphone exports to Canada exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mexico (2.2M units), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United Arab Emirates (1.1M units), with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Canada totaled +2.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+0.8% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+18.7% per year).

In value terms, Canada ($448M) remains the key foreign market for headphones exports from the United States, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United Arab Emirates ($154M), with a 14% share of total exports. It was followed by Mexico, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value to Canada amounted to +9.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+20.9% per year) and Mexico (+7.1% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average headphone export price amounted to $66 per unit, with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 32%. The export price peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($136 per unit), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($35 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Hong Kong SAR (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform