Bose has brought back wired earbuds, and they actually have noise canceling built in. The company’s first pair of tethered earphones since 2015, the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, trade battery anxiety for a $99 price tag and a USB-C connector that works with modern phones.
The earbuds are available for preorder now through Bose’s online store at $99 in three colors: black, white smoke, and a limited-edition green shade called dewdrop mint. The company says shipping starts October 15th, though the website lists October 13th.
What the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds Actually Do
The earbuds rely on two microphones per earbud working with Bose’s QuietControl technology to deliver active noise canceling, or ANC. That noise canceling comes with multiple modes that cycle using a button on the headphone’s inline remote.
Quiet Mode reduces the intensity of sounds around you. Aware Mode instead boosts ambient sound. Both modes can be turned off entirely. There is also an additional microphone on the inline remote for phone calls, designed to pick up your voice without needing to hold it close to your mouth.
The 4.2-foot cable ends with USB-C rather than a headphone plug. That connects to smartphones and laptops and supports lossless audio with minimal latency. The earbuds carry an IPX4 water-resistance rating, surviving sweat, rain, and splashes but not a full dunk.
A zippered carrying case is included, along with three sizes of silicone eartips and two sizes of stability wings for a more secure fit during physical activities.
The Return After 11 Years
These are the first wired earbuds Bose has offered in 11 years.
The $99 price point is part of the pitch. It is a low entry point for a product that once seemed obsolete, but Bose has shown that consumers still want options when it comes to audio accessories.
Colors and Preorder Details
The three color options give shoppers a choice beyond the usual black. Dewdrop mint is described as a limited edition, which sets it apart from the other two shades.
The website lists October 13th as the shipping date, while the official announcement says October 15th. The discrepancy between the two dates is worth noting, though the company’s stated shipping start date remains October 15th.
How the Noise Canceling Works
QuietControl technology is the engine behind the noise canceling. It uses the two microphones in each earbud to measure incoming sound and generate an opposing signal that cancels it out.
The modes let users switch between reducing outside noise and amplifying it. The inline remote handles the switching, so changing between Quiet and Aware happens at the press of a button.
The call microphone on the remote is a small feature with a practical benefit. It means users do not have to hold the device near their mouth to be heard clearly, which can make phone calls more natural during physical activities.
The Tradeoffs
There is a limit to what these earbuds can do. They are wired, which means they are physically attached to a device. That removes the freedom of movement that comes with wireless earbuds, though it also eliminates the need to charge them.
They also lack some features found in premium wireless models. The IPX4 water-resistance rating keeps them safe from sweat and splashes but not from a full submersion. The cable length is fixed at 4.2 feet, which may limit how far away from a device a user can sit comfortably.
What This Means for Buyers
The Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds fill a specific gap. They are for people who want noise canceling without the hassle of charging. The $99 price point makes them a low-risk buy, especially given that the same technology in wireless form would likely cost much more.
The limited-edition green color adds a hook for shoppers who want something distinctive. For buyers who already own a smartphone or laptop with a USB-C port, the connector should work without any extra hardware.
The earbuds are a reminder that sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. A wire, a button, and a microphone can do a lot.
KEY FACTS BOX
– Price: $99
– Colors: Black, white smoke, dewdrop mint (limited edition)
– Shipping: Expected October 15th (website lists October 13th)
– Cable length: 4.2 feet
– Connector: USB-C
– Water rating: IPX4
– Microphones: Two per earbud, plus one on inline remote
– Modes: Quiet, Aware, off
Bose’s return to wired earbuds is a quiet statement about what people want. The noise canceling is real, the price is low, and the cable is not a burden.
Source material: “Bose’s first wired earbuds in 11 years add noise canceling,” The Verge.
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