Bose spent much of the past decade helping convince consumers that wires were something personal audio could happily live without. Apparently somebody forgot to tell the next generation.The new Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds mark the company’s first new wired earphones in 11 years, combining a USB Type-C connection with Bose QuietControl active noise cancellation, Aware Mode, lossless audio support, and no battery that needs to be charged.
At $99, they arrive at a moment when wired headphones and IEMs are enjoying a very real resurgence rather than merely becoming another retro fashion accessory.
We saw that firsthand at CanJam NYC 2026, where roughly three dozen IEM brands crowded the show floor and the listening tables remained packed throughout the weekend. Wireless earbuds still dominate mainstream portable audio, but younger listeners and audiophiles are increasingly rediscovering what a cable offers: simplicity, low latency, potentially better sound quality, and freedom from wondering whether the left earbud remembered to charge overnight.
The timing makes Bose’s move even more interesting. Just 11 days earlier, the company introduced two new wireless open-ear models — the $199 Sport Open Earbuds and $299 Ultra Open Earbuds (2nd Gen). Bose is therefore not abandoning wireless listening; it is covering both sides of a personal-audio market that suddenly looks a lot less interested in choosing sides.
There is some historical symmetry here as well. Bose introduced the QuietComfort 20 wired noise-cancelling earphones in 2013 and updated them in 2015, long before true wireless earbuds became the default choice for millions of listeners. More than a decade later, Bose is returning to the cable with a much simpler proposition: plug them in, turn on the noise cancellation, and listen.
Everything old is new again. This time it has USB Type-C.
Bose Calls It a Renaissance
“Wired earbuds are experiencing a cultural renaissance, and when we decided to bring them back, we knew we had to make them even better than before,” said Raza Haider, president of Bose Premium Consumer Audio. “Technology has come a long way since our last wired earbuds, allowing us the opportunity to bring our latest advancements to the category and set a new standard for what wired earbuds can be.”
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No Pairing, No Charging, No Problem
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds connect directly to supported USB Type-C phones, tablets, and computers, with no Bluetooth pairing or app required. Power comes from the source device itself, so there is no internal battery to charge — even when active noise cancellation is running.
Pro Tip: The earbuds do not include Bluetooth, but that does not limit access to streaming services. Connect them to a smartphone, tablet, or computer over USB Type-C and Spotify, Apple Music, Qobuz, TIDAL, and other streaming apps work exactly as they normally would.
Bose Brings QuietControl to the Cable
Bose has adapted its QuietControl noise-cancellation system for the wired earbuds, using four microphones — two per earbud — to monitor and reduce surrounding noise with three listening modes:
- Quiet Mode: Maximum noise reduction
- Aware Mode: Lets outside sound in when you need to hear your surroundings
- ANC Off: Conventional wired listening without active noise cancellation
Bose Sound Without the Bluetooth Layer
Bose uses its SoundDesign DSP with USB Audio Class 2 support for lossless playback. The earbuds can accept a range of source formats, but output is fixed at 24-bit/48kHz. The wired USB Type-C connection also reduces latency for video, gaming, and content creation.
Control
The supplied cable includes an in-line remote with tactile buttons for volume, playback, calls, and cycling through noise-cancellation modes.
A dedicated microphone on the back of the remote is positioned to reduce clothing noise while keeping voice pickup clear, so there is no need to hold it up to your mouth like a 1998 headset. Sometimes buttons are better.
Fit, Finish and a Little ’90s Energy
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds use a 4.2-foot cable and include silicone eartips in small, medium, and large sizes, plus medium and large stability wings. The pieces can be mixed and matched to improve comfort and security.
Color options include Black with blue accents, White Smoke with lime green accents, and limited-edition Dewdrop Mint, which leans rather confidently into ’90s nostalgia. The earbuds are IPX4-rated for water resistance and include a zippered carrying case.
Specifications
| Model Name | Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds |
| Price | $99 |
| Headphone Fit | In Ear |
| Noise Control Type | Adjustable Noise Cancelling |
| Noise Cancellation Modes | Quiet, Aware, ANC Off |
| Audio Listening Mode | Stereo |
| Control | In-line remote |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-C connection |
| IPX Rating | IPX4 rated for water resistance |
| Cable Length | 51 in (130cm) |
| Finish | Black, White Smoke, Dewdrop Mint |
| Product Material | Plastic (PC-ABS), Silicone |
| Earbud Dimensions (WxHxD) | 0.8 x 1.2 x 0.9 inches (2 x 3.1 x 2.3 cm) |
| Case Dimensions (WxHxD) | 5.591 x 1.181 x x 3.071 inches (14.2 x 3 x 7.8 cm) |
| Weight | 0.8oz (23g) each |
| What’s In The Box | Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds Wingtips (medium and large) Eartips (small, medium, large) Carry Case Quick-start guide Safety sheet |
The Bottom Line
Bose picked a surprisingly good time to return to wired earphones. IEMs are enjoying renewed interest, and a direct USB-C connection offers some practical advantages wireless models cannot completely replicate: stable connectivity, low latency, lossless playback, and no battery waiting to die halfway through a flight.
The $99 Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are not unique simply because they have a cable or ANC; both have existed before. What makes them interesting is the combination of Bose QuietControl noise cancellation, 24-bit/48kHz playback, plug-and-play operation, and no internal battery at a price that competes directly with conventional IEMs such as the ACTIVO Scoop ($99), Meze Audio ALBA S ($129), and SIVGA Lyrebird ($149).
Those competitors may appeal more to listeners focused primarily on traditional IEM tuning and passive isolation. Bose is targeting someone slightly different: commuters, travelers, gamers, content creators, and listeners who want the simplicity of wired audio without surrendering active noise cancellation.
There is no Bluetooth, no app to configure, and nothing to charge. Plug them in and listen.
Funny how advanced that suddenly sounds again.
Price & Availability
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds will start shipping on October 15, 2026 and are available for pre-order now for $99 at Bose.com. Launching in Black or White Smoke, the earbuds are also available in limited-edition Dewdrop Mint.
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