Bose is bringing back wired headphones, and they cost $99.
The company announced the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds on Monday (Sept. 28), marking its first wired earbuds in over a decade. The USB-C earbuds arrive with active noise cancellation, lossless audio support and an in-line remote, but no Bluetooth pairing, app or charging case. Since they draw power directly from a connected phone, tablet or computer, there is no internal battery to keep charged either.
The move comes as wired headphones enjoy a resurgence among younger listeners, a trend Bose points to as part of the inspiration behind its return to the category. The company is positioning the earbuds as a plug-and-play option that combines the simplicity of the early aughts with features typical of today’s wireless models.
Raza Haider on the Cultural Renaissance
Raza Haider, president of Bose Premium Consumer Audio, said the decision to bring back wired earbuds was deliberate. He framed the product as an improvement on what came before, not a simple return to the past.
“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,” Haider said in announcing the launch.
The $99 price point is the headline. Bose is entering a market where wired headphones have found new life among younger listeners.
The Specs Breakdown
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds pack several features into a single cable. The full breakdown shows what buyers get:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Price | $99 |
| Connection | USB-C |
| Noise cancellation | Bose QuietControl ANC |
| Listening modes | Quiet, Aware and ANC Off |
| Audio | Lossless audio support, 24-bit/48kHz playback |
| Cable length | 4.2 feet |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke and limited-edition Dewdrop Mint |
| Shipping | Oct. 15 |
The QuietControl ANC system uses four microphones, two on each earbud, to continuously monitor surrounding sound and help minimize distractions. Quiet Mode turns up the noise cancellation, Aware Mode lets your surroundings back in, and ANC Off offers straightforward wired listening without any processing applied.
Bose also included its SoundDesign digital signal processing technology and support for lossless audio. The direct USB-C connection promises low-latency performance, which helps keep sound in sync while watching videos, gaming or creating content.
Physical Controls and Accessories
The physical controls live in an in-line remote attached to the cable. That remote handles volume adjustment, playback control, call answering and switching between listening modes.
The earbuds come with three sizes of silicone ear tips and removable stability wings. A zippered carrying case rounds out the package. The limited-edition Dewdrop Mint colorway joins Black and White Smoke in the lineup.
The cable itself is 4.2 feet long.
Why Now?
Bose’s timing is not accidental. The company is responding to a broader shift in how people listen to music, and it sees an opportunity in the wired space.
The resurgence of wired headphones among younger listeners is part of the inspiration behind the return. Bose cites changing listening habits as the driver.
The appeal of wired headphones is straightforward. They plug in, they play, and they do not need a battery.
The Throwback Angle
Bose is leaning into nostalgia with the Dewdrop Mint colorway. The limited-edition shade sits alongside Black and White Smoke in the color lineup. It is a small detail, but it signals that the company is aware of the cultural moment.
The earbuds are available to preorder now at Bose for $99. Shipping begins Oct. 15.
The Verdict on the Return
Bose’s return to wired earbuds is a smart move. The company is not trying to reinvent the wheel — it is offering a competent, affordable product that addresses the complaints people had about earlier wired headphones.
The lack of a battery removes one failure point entirely. The in-line remote keeps the controls where users expect them. The noise cancellation and lossless audio support add value that older wired headphones did not have.
The $99 price point is the clincher. It makes the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds a low-commitment way to try a feature set that once required a separate device.
Bose has not released sales figures for the new product, so the verdict on its reception will come later.
For now, the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are a welcome addition to a category that has been dominated by wireless options for too long.
The earbuds ship on Oct. 15.
Source material: “Bose’s First Wired Headphones in Over a Decade Are Here, and They’re $99,” Billboard.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.