From celebrity street style to everyday fashion, wired earphones are making an unexpected comeback. This is a gadget that was once seen as outdated or inconvenient, now earphones are being worn by stars such as Justin Bieber and Sydney Seethal as part of a more relaxed, nostalgic and deliberately low-key look.
This new development begs the question, is the “anti-AirPod” aesthetic becoming a status symbol in 2026?
Only five years ago, wearing wired earphones suggested you were behind the times. Maybe you had forgotten to charge your “real” earphones or, worse, you were considered “broke”.
However, in 2026, things have changed because wired earphones have gone from being seen as old technology to becoming part of an aesthetic. The white cord is no longer something to hide; it’s a statement.
Wired aesthetic
This is not just a small trend online. Some of the world’s most photographed celebrities are bringing wired earphones back, influencing the masses.
Bieber has become one of the faces of the “off-duty dad” look. Throughout 2025 and into 2026, he has been photographed repeatedly wearing the white cord earphones. Whether he is in oversized t-shirts or designer sweats, the wires are a regular part of the look.
It projects a persona of “not trying too hard” and moves away from the polished, carefully put-together look often associated with the popular wireless tech accessories.
Locally, Sydney Seethal is one of the prominent faces nodding to simpler times by using wired earphones. The model and creator is not just the younger sister of “Chanel” hitmaker Tyla. She is also building her own path in the digital world.
Seethal started creating content on TikTok in 2019 and gained popularity through her lip-syncing videos. She now has a following of 1.4 million. Her content focuses on having fun, sharing moments from her life and being relatable.
It is not just the Biebers and Sydneys of the world. From Drake to Bella Hadid, Zendaya to Zoë Kravitz, wired earphones have become a visible accessory.
British tech YouTuber Arun Maini, also known as Mrwhosetheboss, recently pointed out the growing trend.
“Have you noticed that everyone is wearing wired earphones all of a sudden? Drake wears them, Hailey Bieber, Zendaya, Harry Styles, and it's not just celebs.”
Why the famous folks are ditching wireless
The change is not just about sound quality. It is a mix of nostalgia, going against the norm and fashion. Maini pointed out that while wired earphone sales had been declining for half a decade, they saw a major increase in 2026.
“So is this a price thing? Maybe a little... but I don’t think $50 is the reason that Drake is using a less good product,” Maini said.
In a world where almost everyone owns a pair of AirPods, wearing wires can be seen as a way to stand out. Maini describes this as “counter-signalling”, which is essentially the opposite of showing off your wealth.
“Having a wire in 2026, when everyone else is using wireless, tells the world, ‘I’ve decided that I like things less digital. I make my own choices. I don’t blindly follow trends’. And I guess that’s cool now.”
It is the ultimate “I don't care” wealth symbol. When you can afford custom-made or gold-plated wireless tech, choosing a less expensive pair of wired earphones suggests you do not need to show your status through the latest gadgets.
The numbers don't lie
According to market research firm Circana, after five years of decline, wired headphone revenue jumped by 20% in the first six weeks of 2026 alone. Other industry reports have confirmed the same 20% increase.
The “anti-AirPod” trend has moved from fashion and celebrity culture into the market. The return of wired earphones is about more than just a trend. It seems people are tired of one more thing to charge. So AirPods are not exactly out of the picture, wireless still dominates.
However, wired is no longer the budget fallback, the “cool kids” have turned the trend into a flex. Whether it is the nostalgia of the 2000s, the “quiet luxury” of choosing something less expensive or simply the fact that you never have to charge them, wired earphones are back.
The health factor: radiation and safety
A growing number of people are also considering the health questions around Bluetooth technology.
Wireless headsets reportedly release low-level radio frequency radiation to transmit audio. While regulatory bodies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) consider them safe, some people prefer wired earphones to reduce prolonged radiofrequency exposure.
According to Addasound, wired headphones do not release radiofrequency radiation, making them a preferred choice for people who are cautious about possible long-term risks.
This is not just a handful of “cool kids” around the world as internet had joined in too.
TikTok made wired earphones cool again
While celebrities may have helped make wired earphones visible again, TikTok has shown just how much of the comeback is tied to wanting to look cool.
The platform is filled with creators showing off their wired earphones as part of their outfits and everyday lives. For some, the appeal is clearly about the aesthetic. Some creators have even admitted that owning wired earphones is a little performative. They want the look because, in 2026, the white cord has become a way of signalling that you are in on the trend.
However, not everyone is buying wired earphones just for the aesthetic. For others, the return to wires is about being tired of having to charge everything. Phones, smartwatches, laptops, wireless earphones and other gadgets have made charging another part of everyday life.
Wired earphones offer one less device to worry about.
There is also a desire for something more normal in a world where technology continues to become more advanced. You plug them in and they work. No pairing, worrying about battery percentage, or searching for one earbud that has disappeared somewhere in your bag.
Nostalgia: Y2K 2.0
The aesthetic is also linked to the 2008 to 2014 era, the early days of Instagram and Tumblr. Thanks to Gen Z, wired earphones offer a link to a time before being constantly connected became part of everyday life. There is also something imperfect about them.
AirPods are clean and polished. Wired earphones get tangled. They can be messy and, perhaps, feel a little more human.
While the aesthetic may be driving the comeback, wired earphones also come with practical benefits. According to tech insights from experts like “Addasound”, the differences between wired and wireless go beyond appearance.
The most obvious benefit is not having to worry about your AirPods battery dying. Wired earphones do not need to be charged, allowing for unlimited use without having to look for a charger. This can make them useful for long studio sessions or international travel, where charging may not always be convenient.
Wireless models may have improved, but once the battery reaches 0%, you are left without them. Wired earphones are simpler to make than wireless models, which can mean better sound quality and no delay for a lower price.
For celebrities and creators who are constantly on calls or listening to demos, that reliability can be important.
And as long as some of the world’s biggest stars keep letting those white cords hang, they may be here for a while.
nomathamsanqa.sithathu@nationalmg.co.za