Last week, I purchased some Tweaked Audio earbuds. They were quality buds, and it made me curious where they were made. I discovered they are made in China according to the box they arrived in. No surprise there. Most small electronic items are made in China these days. It made me curious if there were any headphones or earbuds made in the U.S.A. anymore. I set out on a journey to research this topic. It wasn’t easy, but to my surprise, I found a few options for headphones made in the U.S.A.
Grado Labs
The first company I found was Grado Labs, a family owned company that’s been making headphones since 1982. Most of the products that carry the Grado name are made in Brooklyn, NY by a small and friendly staff. The only earphone products of theirs that aren’t made in the United States are the iGrado product and all in-ear products.
Audeze
Thanks to a comment by William Wilbur, I was turned onto Audeze. Audeze makes very high-end over-ear headphones. Their products consistently achieve high results in reviews, and all products are designed and made in the United States.
Westone
Since Grado and Audeze didn’t have any American made in-ear solutions, I became curious if there were any of those made in the U.S.A. To my surprise, I found one. Westone makes the UM1, UM2, and UM3X models of earbuds at their lab in Colorado. The company claims to be the only earbuds that are made in the U.S.A. Be prepared before shopping though. At over $100 each, these buds are pricey! According to many reviews though, they may be worth it.
So Grado Labs and Westone seem to be the only companies that make headphones in the United States. Do you know of any others? Please leave a comment below.
My new Google Pixel Buds Pro (true wireless) were made in Viet Nam. I’m OK with that. Opinions will vary from ear to ear; whether they are the best, second best, or tenth best; but they are in the top tier of consumer-grade buds. For a couple hundred US dollars; they are not “cheap” but reasonable for this level of quality, and made in a “friendly” trading partner.
Many of the US product companies are very stingy and want to save millions by getting them manufactured in China. Why the hell can’t they be a little patriotic and stop this penny-pinching tactics and get the products manufactured in US itself. I am sick of the “Made in China” products. And because of their manufacturing might, they made trillions of $$ and have become very arrogant.
Ambient Dynamics
Audix
Avantone Pro
Blue Microphones
Cardas Audio
Clear Tune Monitors
KRK Systems
Samson Technologies
Zildjian
Nice List. But looks like missing most of the famous brands in the list such as Bose, Cleer Audio, JBL and more.
I own two pair of Ultrasone on ear and over ear headphones.
The 2006 on ear model is made in Germany.
The 2016 pair is P840 made in China
Periodic Audio. Designed, engineered, and made in America. Great sounding units, 5 year warranty. I have the Be’s and C’s. Great stuff.
I think jlab appears to be US out of Newport News, VA. I haven’t researched as much as you yet, though
AKOUSTYX LLC
Based in San Jose, California
Assembled & Tuned in Nashville, Tennessee
Made in USA
I am good with any brand which not made in china province, So I can have wider choice.
Bought Bose and returned it, of course it was made in China. Been looking for made in USA headphones since . Thank you for compiling.
Not many choices though but I am willing to she’d few extra $$ for American made product.
Westone W-Series earphones are designed in USA and manufactured in Philippines, which since it is not China, is A-OK with me.
I am really sick of Made in China products. Majority of mic products are inferior quality. Which means these products also another factor to environmental pollution.
It is so difficult to find products that are made in the original countries. I am still trying to search for more original products…
Great Information. I am interested in helping seniors. One way is to help them hear their TV with headphones. Are there any concerns that would prohibit a senior from using your ideas? I enjoyed your post and will be coming back. Be safe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_headphone_manufacturers
Has a list of 80+ companies that manufacture headphones/pods.
As far as I researched it they identify the country of manufacture in the first few sentences. (I only checked about 7-8 companies.)
Oh, and the Grado earbuds are made in China. I asked the company after I had placed an order. I then cancelled the order. Be up front with where you produce your products.
Only the Westone custom earbuds are made in the US. The universal line is made in the Philippines, fyi.
I found that event companies like Sennheiser, Gardo & others claim to be American made but use imported parts. Though not Chinese, they may be German or even Mexican or South American made. You decide which is more advantageous. Research, research, research.
KOSS no longer manufactures any headphones in the USA. Sad. Loved that company.
Yes, very helpful! I’ve been on a “Made In USA” kick for years!!
Need more options and competitive price so I will not buy China products
Aren’t Koss headphones made in the US?
I too am looking for American mad earbuds ??I will never buy Chinese again never! I prefer to pay more for American made ??
So after reading all of this, I still want quality Bluetooth over the ear headphones made in America or at worst, not made in China.
What again are my best options??
Ty
I am happy to see others looking to buy and support “Made in America ” products. Spread the word to start this movement again. It use to be labeled.
Looking for reasonably priced headphones. The catch is I will not purchase any made in China ( or prc). If anyone know of any let me now.
Replying to the question about “Jaybird” headphones:
The following is from a Google search “Are JAYBIRD headphones made in the USA”:
Jaybird is a Utah-based consumer electronics company that is owned by Logitech. The company designs and manufactures headphones and wearable activity trackers.
Parent: Logitech
Founders: Judd Armstrong
Where are headphones manufactured?
“I discovered they are made in China according to the box they arrived in. No surprise there. Most small electronic items are made in China these days. It made me curious if there were any headphones or earbuds made in the U.S.A. anymore.”
Thank you so much! This has been the MOST informative website that I have found. Does anyone know about Pioneer or Maxwell? Thank you again for all your “leads”!!!
I am looking for just a good descent pair of ear buds and I will not buy Chinese . I will pay more but that ok with me . I think I can expect a good product and its made in America. . I plan on buying as much American made as I can afford and if I cant afford it I will do without No Chinese.
It is hard to find anything electronic that is not made in China, yesterday I went out to buy headphones in Walmart, meijer, and Office Depot I couldn’t find a one single headphones that is made in USA I got upset I was like we became so dependent on China for so many things, I guess this is a worthy lesson for me I am fine with paying 2 times or 4 times of price but I want to buy China made electronic, cars and medicines etc..
I just returned my Cowin E7 pro’s to AMAZON. They are soooo cheap but cost me about $100. The cords were short, (2 feet) and they didn’t even come with a bluetooth transimitter (reciever) for my PC or TV. Screw cheap ass Chinese items.
That’s what brought me here. I want quality.
No I just want to now where cowin headphones are made.
to help our nation buy local…that’s it…
Are jaybird headphones made in USA?
Thanks for this page and to all the suggestions from others. I really wish it was simple to find Made in the USA or Made in a Free Country. I’m happy to support US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Germany, Holland, Poland, Australia, Kenya, Iceland, Japan, Taiwan and other free countries. Not China. Not Iran, Not Turkey. Not Venezuela.
The old saying, ” You get what you pay for” still applies today,
I will be dammed if I buy headphones made in China. My AKGs were made in Austria. If I need another pair I will pay the money to buy a USA brand.
I know that Klipsch used to have a factory in Arkansas. I dont know if they have sold our business to overseas or not though.
You list JLAB Audio as being made in the USA. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. I reached out to them to verify and their corporate operations are in the US but the earbuds, etc. are made in China
Thank you! Gotta support as-local-as-possible business.
To Roger. You will pay the $100’ or more after replacing cheap Chinese ones many times and after much frustration !!
A couple of other high-end US headphone companies:
– ZMF out of Chicago
– MrSpeakers in San Diego
Many thanks for this website. Very educational.
Hello . I know it`s about the USA stuff. But let me tell something. I`m from Poland. I was anxious about acquiring new AKG q701 that have “Made in Austria” mark on the housing. The next line of q701 doesn`t have that phrase, so u know where are they made. Yes ,only the box says “Designed and engineered in Austria. Made in P.R.C. (peoples` Republic of China). I searched the whole Poland to get the “Made in Austria” item (all the sellers said they only have Chineese ones) and finally found last ex demo model in local Media Markt store. I was holding in my hand the real Austrian ones, plus i got a nice discount for ex demo. Then I learned that after 70 years the austian factory had been closed and 135 people got fired and the mark AKG is owned by Samsung !!! The AKG the brand seen in videos, movies etc !!! It`s a really bad news. So America take care of our Grado and Audeeze andother “Made in USA” stuff. Besides all of your Maglite flashlights are made in US . Best regards from Poland.
Made in the USA doesn’t really mean much anymore. Even made in the us products are often only here for final assembly using parts from around the world. Some made in the US products are owned by foreign interests and have their profits go overseas. As we approach a global economy, it will mean (and matter) less and less.
At any rate, the Following are US Headphone Companies. Some are exclusively(*) made in the US, many have manufacturing in US and Mexico, and some have facilities around the world.
Koss*
Grado*
JBL
Skullcandy
Klipsch
Audio Quest
Shure*
Westone*
Monster
Fender
McIntosh
Turtle Beach
JLAB Audio*
Bose
hi, I moved to USA and I really respect the sentiment that we should buy the products manufactured by the country which I now call it home ( at least for some years from now , until my visa expires ). I wanted to buy American products , especially the electronics. While looking for headphones with microphone, I was not able to find one made in USA ( or from a company headquartered in the USA ) which is cheaper than their world counterparts. Is it because of the quality , or those companies are not interested in selling their products for mass markets or their product is meant to be used only the premier crowd? I am puzzled.
https://doubletapaudio.com/ Made in usa earbuds for $65. Thank you for this post. I’m very happy to see that patriotic Americans care about where their products come from. Bravo to all of you!
I am looking for a gaming headset MADE IN THE U.S.A. and not cheaply made somewhere like China.
I am sick of buying Chinese crap that breaks because it was cheaply made.
I don’t want to buy multiple headsets that will break; I want to buy one good one that will last me 20 years. Younger folks probably don’t realize that yes, there was a time when you could buy something and it wouldn’t stop working after a year or two or three or five! Or even ten!
McIntosh has a line of headphones made in Binghamton, NY. At $2000 I doubt I’ll ever actually own them though.
I need information on SWING Closed-ear stereo headphones. There is absolutely no info on the box as to where these come from and how safe to use……
Thank You!
Campfire Audio makes high end earphones in the US. Etymotics makes more affordable earphones in the Westone category.
shoot for all the earbuds and headphones the kids go through not being american made and they break like crazy. by the time you replace the pones that break after 1yr you have paid 100 dollars lol $100 bucks once is worth it to me!
The Pro 10 earplugs are Assembled in the us and by law they don’t have to say where they buy the parts.
Can’t list for sure all HPs manufacturers in USA, but for Canada there is only LKPR headphones that I know.
I have spent 100.00 on overseas earbuds. Sol republic and they are awsome especially with bass response. I am going to buy the 100.00 Westone, hell American made! Got to be better plus my ears are worth it!
I’m all for buying American, but I’m not about to pay a hundred bucks for a pair of ear buds.