Why do so many still choose wired earbuds or headphones?

Bluetooth earbuds and wireless headphones were the hot trend for a while due to how new and modern and unique they were but eventually they became something that everybody had, which led to people, particularly teens, not wanting to appear “basic.” There is nothing more common than the wish to be remarkable.

"In short, AirPods have become too widespread to be cool," wrote the Wall Street Journal. "So, perhaps inevitably, contrarian trendsetters are reviving some ancient technology: corded headphones."

Thousands of videos on TikTok have shown various “trend forecasters” explaining why this “vintage” trend is coming back, as well as fashion professionals adding to the analysis. Lisa Z. Morgan, head of the apparel design department at the Rhode Island School of Design, said that a sense of nostalgia is part of what's fueling the revival.

"There's a very wistful look back to times that appear to be simpler, there's no doubt about it," Morgan said. "There's a sense of nostalgia [from teens] for a time that I don't think they've even experienced, which is quite curious ... I think they see these photographs and images from magazines and music and culture."

Because of the price

Wired earbuds are generally cheaper because it is much more costly to make wireless earbuds than its corded counterpart. Manufacturers inflate their bill of materials for wireless buds, which in turn makes the product more expensive.

People are sporting AirPods everywhere you go. Some are listening to music, others to the hottest new podcasts, while others are simply wearing them to avoid having to chat to strangers. They've become as much a part of our daily lives as the original iPod earphones did 20 years ago.