It’s True, Wired Headphones Are Making a Comeback in 2025 & These Apple Classics Are Only $17

Bye AirPods! The OG wired Apple Earpods are back and cooler than ever (according to Gen Z).

By Camila Quimper Oct 24, 2025 11:00 AMTags
Shop Wired Headphones Trend_1024x759.jpgPhoto Courtesy of Getty Images

Turns out, Gen Z’s latest trend isn’t about vintage jeans or claw clips: it’s wired headphones. The 2025 revival of Apple’s classic $17 EarPods proves that what’s old is new again.

With their clean white cords and nostalgic minimalist design, these throwback essentials are suddenly the hottest accessory of the year.

There’s a reason everyone’s plugging back in. Wireless headphones might be sleek, but they come with drama: dropped connections, dead batteries, and endless pairing struggles. Wired ones? They just work. It’s simple, fuss-free, and effortlessly cool in that “I don’t try too hard” kind of way.

So, if you’ve been craving a hit of Y2K nostalgia — or just want to stop panicking every time your earbuds die mid-scroll — the $17 Apple EarPods are calling your name.

Apple EarPods Headphones with USB-C Plug

The wired headphone renaissance is here, and Apple’s $17 EarPods are the moment. Simple, sleek, and zero charging anxiety. What’s not to love?

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More Apple EarPods Headphones Reviews:

"Kept losing my wireless earbuds so I got these. Great quality, has yet to expose wires. The bass is great, and the buttons are amazing. Very comfortable too, and the sound is very nice," shared a reviewer.

"I’ve been using these Apple EarPods every day for a few weeks, and they are very reliable. The sound is clear and balanced, making music, podcasts, and calls enjoyable. The built-in remote and microphone make it easy to adjust volume and answer calls without touching the phone. They are comfortable for extended wear, though some people with smaller ears might find them a little loose. The cord feels durable, but can tangle more easily than wireless options," wrote a customer.

"These are a classic. They have amazing features on the mic button (like volume, skip, reverse, answer/end calls). They work just as well functionally as AirPods. The earpiece isn’t quite as comfortable but still super nice," raved another.

"These are STILL the best earbuds for music. Believe it or not, I STILL have my iPod Classic shuffling out the tunes. If you follow my orders, you will see that I purchased three other sets of earbuds trying to match the original quality of the earbuds that came from Apple after they finally failed (because I tampered with them!!). The first two sets of earbuds were less than $10, and they sounded like it. Then, I purchased a well-known brand for $20 with high recommendations, but they weren't even as good as the ones for less than $10. I then discovered that the Apple earbuds were still available on Amazon (though I feared they were knock-offs, as I had found with a previous purchase).

But, no these came today in original Apple packaging and they SOUND GREAT. I cannot recommend them enough, IF you want great sounding music from your MP3 player. If my iPod Classic can sound new again, so can yours," an Amazon customer said.

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