headphones on

Why Wired Earbuds and Headphones Aren’t Going Anywhere

From Addison Rae's latest music video to paparazzi shots, wired earbuds are everywhere — Shelby Hull of Wired It Girls explains their cool factor

By Jonathan Zavaleta

Jonathan Zavaleta

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April 29, 2025

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As someone who covers wireless earbuds, I’ve come to take the tangle-free convenience of Bluetooth for granted — but not everyone feels the same way. If you haven’t noticed, wired earbuds and headphones are cool again, and they have been for a while.

Take Addison Rae’s “Headphones On” music video, the stars of which are Rae, a horse, and a pair of wired earbuds. It was the kind of moment tailor-made for Wired It Girls, an Instagram account that mostly chronicles snaps of celebrities wearing wired headphones. Of course, being an “it girl” is just a state of mind; you’ll also find the likes of Paul Mescal, Adam Driver, and Harry Styles looking unbothered, if not untangled.

I don’t miss the frustration of untangling wired earbuds or the horror of getting snagged on a doorknob, but the appeal of wired earbuds isn’t hard to appreciate. You never have to charge them, you can take one bud out without losing it, and there are never issues with Bluetooth dropping out. They also tend to be significantly cheaper.

There’s also the more ephemeral cool factor: the je ne sais quoi of a single earbud dangling. Shelby Hull, who runs Wired It Girls, said, “I love wired headphones not only because they sound better but because they let people know I don’t want to be approached. Even when I’m listening to nothing, I throw them in to signal ‘please don’t.’ They’re chic, minimal, and act as an accessory to an outfit.”

Hull has been chronicling the return of wired earbuds since 2021, and that she has no shortage of paparazzi shots to choose from in 2025 speaks to the enduring popularity of going wired.

So, which earbuds does Hull swear by? “My favorite pair of wired headphones outside of the classic Apple wires are the Koss Porta Pros in beige,” she said. “They sound amazing and don’t cost a fortune.”

The Best Wired Earbuds and Headphones, According to Wired It Girls

Koss Porta Pro

$37.99 $59.99 37% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Buy Now at walmart

The Porta Pro headphones have an undeniable charm, with retro styling that screams “Jazzercise” and helpful features like in-line controls and a surprisingly compact case. Of course, these headphones weren’t retro when they were introduced 40 years ago, but they’ve stuck around long enough to have a second act.

As for Apple’s wired earbuds, Hull carries multiple pairs. “I use the lightning ones for my phone, USB-C for my iPad, and headphone jack for my laptop, and movies on flights! I keep ’em allll on me.”

The Best Wired Earbuds and Headphones, According to Wired It Girls

Apple EarPods

$16.99 $19.00 11% off

Buy Now On Amazon

Buy Now at target

Another option worth considering are Sony’s MDR-7506 headphones. I used them in my college radio days, and they’re still the default choice for many podcasters and radio stations, thanks to their nearly indestructible build and neutral sound.

The Best Wired Earbuds and Headphones, According to Wired It Girls

Sony MDR-7506

$99.99

Buy Now at sony

Without an in-line microphone or controls, the MDR-7506 headphones are as bare-bones and frill-free as they come. But that’s the point, right?

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