The global headphones market reached 563 million units in 2025, with true wireless devices accounting for 67% of shipments. While TWS products dominate the category, they are also the most exposed to regulatory scrutiny under the upcoming EU battery legislation.
Wireless earbuds must balance battery accessibility with extreme miniaturisation, acoustic performance and long-term durability. Redesigning these products to meet regulatory requirements will often mean introducing additional components, more complex assembly processes and higher production costs.
Compliance is therefore uneven across the market. Lower and mid-tier manufacturers, operating on tighter margins, face proportionally greater cost pressures than premium brands, widening the gap between different segments of the industry. brands.