The answer: 17, per research released at the CES 2024 trade fair by Parks Associates.  That’s up from eight as recently as 2015.

The international market research and consulting firm’s latest Consumer Electronics Dashboard also noted that for the first time, smartphone ownership surpassed TV ownership, with 90 percent of households reporting ownership of a smartphone compared to 88 percent with a TV.

“Smartphones are ubiquitous now, and connected consumer electronics such as wireless earbuds, tablets, and smart TVs are commonplace,” said Sarah Lee, Research Analyst, Parks Associates. “Today, these devices are essential for entertainment purposes and daily personal communications, which can include school, work and family. This necessity drives continued purchases, as every year CE companies roll out innovative and advanced models that drive the consumer desire to upgrade.”

The research also showed consumer spending demonstrated what Parks described as “remarkable resilience” in 2023. After a brief pause early in the year, shoppers’ enthusiasm for consumer electronics products rebounded at the end of the year. Purchase intentions for popular entertainment devices such as gaming consoles, streaming media players and VR headsets increased compared to 2022 and now resemble 2021 levels, which was the height of the pandemic.

“Economic conditions and fear of a recession previously stalled purchases of CE categories,” Lee said. “But higher intentions to purchase are likely a reflection of prolonged delayed gratification, the end-of-year holiday season, enticing retail promotions and hope for continued economic improvement in 2024.”

From the article, "How Many E-Gadgets Per Household?"

Previously In The News

People are boycotting Disney, Hulu, and ESPN after ABC yanked Jimmy Kimmel off the air. Will it work?

Elizabeth Parks, president and chief marketing officer of Park Associates, said Disney’s biggest risk in the short-term is potentially losing advertisers, but large-scale subscriber losses for Disney+...

SimpliSafe to Join Everon Owner GTCR’s Security Holdings

GTCR’s deal for SimpliSafe is unpacked with analysis from Kirk MacDowell and Elizabeth Parks covering strategy, competitive responses and the shift toward add-on services and market adjacencies. El...

The Weekly Briefing: Market reports and high-tech grocery stores

Parks Associates appoints Cliff Raskind as consulting director and contributing analyst. The research firm, which focuses on the Internet of Things market, recently launched a consulting practice that...

Social video viewing reaches nearly five hours weekly on U.S. televisions

Social video now accounts for nearly five hours of television viewing per week, making up 20 percent of all video watched on TV, according to new research from Parks Associates. The findings, released...