After years in which wireless earbuds dominated the market, wired models are making a noticeable return. The shift is fueled by a mix of fashion, cost, practicality and even quiet protest against what some consumers see as excess in today’s tech culture.
The trend is visible on city streets and across social platforms, where more people have been spotted with the familiar cable dangling from their ears. What was once considered outdated is now being recast as both a style choice and a functional alternative.
Cost and convenience
Rising prices for wireless earbuds have played a major role. Apple’s AirPods and similar models often cost more than 1,000 shekels, while others sell for several hundred. By contrast, wired earbuds can cost as little as 30 to 70 shekels.
The low-tech option also offers simple advantages. Wired earbuds don’t need to be charged, are harder to lose and work immediately when plugged in. “People are tired of charging, syncing and searching for a missing earbud,” said one user quoted on local platforms. “You just plug it in and it works.”
Sound quality is another factor. Wireless earbuds rely on Bluetooth technology, which compresses audio. Wired models deliver uncompressed sound, a difference that appeals to musicians, audiophiles and young listeners rediscovering higher-quality playback.
A fashion statement
The wired look has turned into an accessory in its own right. The classic white Apple EarPods have become an especially visible symbol, but the trend extends to vintage on-ear models with metal bands and orange foam pads reminiscent of the 1980s and 1990s.
International outlets including Highsnobiety, Cosmopolitan and E! Online have described the resurgence as part of a broader retro movement. Highsnobiety wrote that wired earbuds have become “a fashion piece of their own,” while Cosmopolitan noted that the $20 Apple version photographs well and fits the minimalist aesthetic now popular online. E! Online called them “TikTok’s hot accessory for 2025,” pointing out that celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Lily-Rose Depp and Charli XCX have been seen wearing them, sometimes more for the look than for listening.
Fashion experts quoted in ELLE Korea said the cable itself is now viewed as part of the silhouette, creating a vertical line similar to a chain or strap.
A quiet protest
Beyond style and practicality, some users view wired earbuds as a statement against overconsumption and planned obsolescence. Wireless earbuds often rely on small batteries that degrade after a few years, pushing customers to buy new models. Wired versions can last much longer.
In a trend analysis published by SlashGear, writer Kara Simmons called the comeback “a blend of nostalgia, celebrity influence and new economic realities,” adding that the visible cables create a sense of simplicity in a market defined by glossy, high-end devices.
Jonathan, a Tel Aviv resident, said he returned to wired earbuds for reasons of comfort and call quality. “You don’t need to charge them, and people hear you better,” he said.
Naama from Jerusalem said she switched back out of health concerns, preferring earbuds that don’t emit wireless signals. Health agencies, including the World Health Organization, say the low levels of radiation emitted by wireless earbuds are considered non-ionizing and not currently shown to cause harm, but some listeners still choose to limit exposure.
Apple continues to sell its wired EarPods in USB-C, Lightning and 3.5-millimeter versions at a low, steady price. U.S. tech writers have described the product as “the $17 item that outlasted the trend,” suggesting that demand for a simple, durable option has remained constant.
What started as nostalgia has become a mainstream shift, blending early-2000s simplicity with modern style. For many users, the old cable is once again the right fit.