Key Facts

• Product: Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds
• Price: $99
• Connection: USB-C wired, no dongle required
• Notable feature: Active noise cancellation powered by USB-C, no battery pack
• Audio: 24-bit/48kHz high-res support, low latency
• Controls: Three-button in-line remote for volume, playback, and ANC modes
• Fit: Three ear tip sizes, two wing sets, IPX4 rating
• Pros: Simple plug-and-play use, comfortable fit, clear sound, affordable ANC
• Cons: Weak call quality, distracting wind noise, cable snags and cable noise
• Verdict: A strong affordable wired option for listeners who value simplicity and ANC

A Wired Comeback With Modern Twists

Wired earbuds were supposed to be a casualty of the smartphone era. When Apple removed the headphone jack from the iPhone in 2016, the industry treated the 3.5mm connector as a legacy port, and Bluetooth earbuds became the default for most buyers. Yet wired headphones never disappeared. Sales have been climbing again after five years of decline, helped by younger listeners who treat wired earbuds as a fashion statement rather than a compromise. Celebrities have been photographed wearing them, social media accounts track their use, and the same retro appeal that revived vinyl and cassette decks has given wired audio a second life.

The practical case is just as strong. Wired earbuds do not need a battery, so they can keep working long after a wireless pair's cells have degraded. A single earbud is easy to lose; a wired set with a cable is harder to misplace. There is no pairing dance, no firmware update, and no app required. Those advantages explain why wired models have stuck around even as Bluetooth technology improved.

Bose Returns to Wired Audio

Bose has spent most of the wireless era focused on Bluetooth headphones and earbuds, but it is now returning to the wired market with the $99 Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. The name is straightforward, and so is the pitch. These are not nostalgia products built around an old connector. They use USB-C, which means they can plug directly into most current phones, tablets, and computers without an adapter. That connection also enables the feature that sets them apart: active noise cancellation.

Most wired earbuds rely on passive isolation alone. A 3.5mm or 4.4mm analog connection does not provide enough power for active noise cancellation, so even expensive audiophile in-ear monitors usually depend on a good seal rather than electronics. Bose's previous wired ANC model, the QuietComfort 20 from 2013, used a 3.5mm jack and needed a rechargeable battery pack in the cable. The new model avoids that bulk. It draws the small amount of power it needs for ANC from the USB-C port, so there is no separate battery to charge or carry.

USB-C Makes ANC Possible

There are only a handful of USB-C wired headphones with active noise cancellation. Belkin sells a $30 SoundForm ANC Wired Earbuds model, but reports suggest its noise canceling is weak. Audio-Technica released a wired ANC pair in Asia earlier this year. Bose's entry is therefore notable not just because of the brand but because it brings a polished, mainstream option to a niche category. The USB-C design also means the earbuds can support high-res audio at 24-bit/48kHz and low latency. Video and audio stay in sync, which is useful for watching movies or playing games on a laptop or phone.

The best part of the Bose earbuds, like any wired earbuds, is their simplicity. There is no pairing process, no charging case, and no companion app. Plug them into a USB-C port and they work. That may sound old-fashioned, but it is also a relief in a market where wireless earbuds often require firmware updates, touch controls, and app-based settings. The Bose set strips away those layers. The in-line remote is basic in the best way.

Noise Canceling and Sound Quality

The noise canceling is not as strong as Bose's Bluetooth earbuds. The wired model has two microphones per side, while the QuietComfort Earbuds have three. Even so, the performance is solid for the price. The earbuds do a good job blocking low-frequency sounds such as air conditioners and truck rumbles. They struggle more with conversation. With ANC on, an air conditioner can disappear completely, but nearby speech remains intelligible. There is a slight high-end hiss when noise canceling is active, though it is only noticeable when no audio is playing.

Sound quality is a highlight. Vocals are clear and bright, and bass is punchy without overwhelming other instruments. The high end can be a little too bright, especially when cymbals ring, but there are no EQ options because there is no app. Listeners who want to tame that brightness will have to rely on their source device or accept the tuning. The wired connection allows for low latency and supports high-res audio at 24-bit/48kHz. A comparison between CD-quality streams and high-res versions of a classic album showed the high-res files sounding a bit more open and spacious. The difference is not enormous, but it is audible on a good recording.

Fit, Controls, and Everyday Use

The in-line remote has three buttons for volume, playback, and noise-canceling mode selection. The buttons respond quickly and have a rubberized texture that is easy to find by touch. Bose includes three ear tip sizes and two sets of wings to help users find a secure fit. The wings are optional if they feel uncomfortable. With the right combination, the earbuds stay in place for hours. They are also IPX4 rated, so light rain or sweat during a run should not be a problem.

The cable is 4.2 feet long, which is enough to reach a phone in a pocket but long enough to create slack. That slack is where the frustrations begin. Unless the cable is run under a shirt or the excess is coiled in a jacket pocket, it catches on almost everything. During testing, it snagged on a kitchen drawer handle, the edge of a keyboard, a sweatshirt zipper, a bag strap, a pocket, and even a stranger's hand in a coffee line. Cable noise is also present, as vibrations from rubbing or bumping travel up the wire. The insulation on the Bose model minimizes the effect better than cheaper or older wired earbuds, but it does not eliminate it.

Wind and Call Performance

Wind is a bigger problem. The microphones used for noise canceling and transparency mode pick up wind noise, and the result is distracting. With ANC on, the low-end whoosh is reduced decently, but the high end remains present. Turning noise canceling off can be the better choice outdoors, though that means giving up the main feature. Call quality is also not a strength. The microphone sits on the in-line remote, and it picks up a good amount of ambient sound during calls. People who regularly take calls while walking busy streets should look elsewhere.

None of these issues erase the appeal of the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds. They are comfortable, easy to use, and capable of good sound. They offer ANC at a price where most wired earbuds offer only passive isolation. The USB-C connection avoids dongles, the low latency is useful, and the high-res support is a genuine bonus. The lack of an app means no EQ, but it also means no setup chores. For listeners who want a dependable pair of wired earbuds for a laptop, a phone, or a commute, the Bose set makes a strong case. For anyone who values call quality or wind resistance above all else, the limitations are real. The final calculation is simple: the Bose earbuds are not the most feature-packed wired option, but they may be the most sensible affordable one for people who want ANC without wireless complexity.

Source: The Verge News