The global wearables market reached 534.6 million units in 2024, marking a 5.4% year-over-year growth, according to the latest data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker. Despite this growth, the market is expected to slow to 4.1% in 2025 as major markets like the US and India, along with key device categories such as smartwatches and hearables, approach maturity.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the wearables market is expected to experience a more moderate growth trajectory. Smartwatches, which have been a cornerstone of the wearables market faced a challenging year in 2024, declining 4.5%. This decline was largely driven by the influx of low-cost options in India, leading to elevated inventory levels and raising concerns about the sustainability of aggressive pricing strategies. In the US, the market also contracted as many consumers continued to use devices purchased during the pandemic. However, a modest recovery is anticipated in 2025, with smartwatch shipments expected to grow by 0.9% as consumers begin to upgrade their older devices. Meanwhile, global smartwatch shipments are on track to grow 2.5% in 2025.

Hearables remained the largest category within the wearables market and grew by 8.9% in 2024. This growth is set to continue in the coming years, driven by emerging markets and regular refresh cycles. Innovations such as open-ear designs and ongoing reductions in average selling prices (ASP) are fueling this category’s expansion.

Overall, the wearables market is evolving, with new form factors and innovative products driving growth. As consumer preferences shift, vendors will need to adapt their strategies to stay competitive in this dynamic landscape.