Bose has made a pair of earbuds with a cable, noise cancellation and no battery. The Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds cost $99 and begin shipping on October 15. We have not tested them. What follows is based on Bose’s specifications and the coverage so far.
According to Gear Patrol, they are Bose’s first wired earbuds in more than a decade. Other outlets point to 2015 as the last time Bose released a product in this category.
How they work
The earbuds plug into a USB-C port and draw power from the host device. That is how they get active noise cancellation without a charging case or an internal battery. Bose says the cable is 128 cm long, according to What Hi-Fi.
Each earbud has two microphones that monitor and reduce outside sound, using Bose’s QuietControl technology. There are three listening modes: Quiet Mode for noise cancellation, Aware Mode for transparency, and an option to switch noise cancellation off. An inline remote handles volume and playback, and Notebookcheck says it also has a microphone for calls.
Audio is fixed at 24-bit/48kHz over USB-C, according to Yahoo Tech’s report. The earbuds use Bose’s digital signal processing and are meant for USB-C devices such as phones, laptops and gaming consoles. Gear Patrol adds that they carry an IPX4 rating, enough for sweat and light splashes.
The fit borrows from older Bose designs. Gear Patrol says the look and StayHear silicone tips resemble the QuietComfort 20 from 2013. Stability wings and several tip sizes come in the box.
Price and availability
- Price: $99 in the US and €100 in Europe
- Shipping: from October 15, with preorders open
- Colors: Black and White Smoke at minimum, per Yahoo Tech. Gear Patrol mentions three finishes.
- Retailers: Bose and Best Buy, according to The Gadgeteer
What early coverage says
Full independent reviews are thin so far. Yahoo Tech reports that CNET praised the sound quality, comfortable fit and sturdy build. CNET also noted that the noise cancellation is not as strong as in Bose’s premium wireless models. That is a fair expectation for a design with no battery of its own and a small in-ear shell.
Most other pieces are launch coverage based on Bose’s claims. They are enthusiastic, but they are not lab measurements. Claims such as Bose’s stated aim to “set a new standard for what wired earbuds can be”, quoted by What Hi-Fi, are marketing until reviewers test them.
Trade-offs to weigh
The appeal is simplicity. There is no Bluetooth pairing, no case to charge, and no app needed, according to Stupiddope. Wired USB-C also avoids the lag that can affect wireless audio, which matters for games and video.
The costs are physical. You are tied to a cable, and Stupiddope notes the inline controller adds weight and the cord can tangle. The earbuds also need a USB-C source. Phones with only a headphone jack, or older devices, will not work without an adapter, and Bose has not said otherwise in the coverage we found.
Power is another point. Because the earbuds draw from the host, noise cancellation will take a little charge from a phone or tablet. None of the sources we read puts a number on that drain.
Who they suit
At $99, they cost far less than Bose’s wireless flagships. They are a plausible pick for commuters on USB-C phones, laptop users, and people who want one pair that never needs charging. They are a poorer match for anyone who wants top-tier noise cancellation or freedom from cables.
The first wave of full reviews should arrive once units ship on October 15. Those will show how well the noise cancellation holds up.