Smart watches are currently the most popular form of wearable, but ear-worn devices are expected to replace them in the coming years. The changeover will take place as AirPods and similar products gain additional features that people now get from Apple Watch and iPhone.

In less than five years, so-called “hearables” could outsell every other type of wearable by a wide margin.

Market-analysis firm Gartner predicted today that:

Future generations of ear-worn devices will be able to accommodate virtual personal assistants and subsequently be used for a multitude of tasks such as queries and hands-free directions. Moving forward, advanced ear-worn devices can reduce smartphone use, as they will take over many tasks that users solve with the help of their smartphones today.

Apple leading the way

As Gartner mentioned, AirPods 2 are rumored to include “Hey Siri” support, as well as being more water resistant. They should be out in 2019.

Earlier this year, Apple received a patent for a method that allows an ear-worn device to take biometric measurements. This potentially could lead to a pair of AirPods that can track heart rate, respiratory rate, and more.

Growth for all types of wearables

Gartner says 41.5 million smart watches will be shipped in 2018 from companies including Apple, Fitbit and Samsung. There will be just 21.5 million ear-worn devices shipped this year.

By 2022, the analysts predict that ear-worn shipments will grow to 158.4 million, compared to 115.2 million smartwatches shipped.

In that same year, shipments of head-mounted displays could reach 80.2 million, up from 19.9 million last year. Smart clothing shipments could increase from 4.1 million to 19.9 million units.