Bose has launched a $99 pair of wired noise-cancelling earbuds utilising USB-C for sound and power, offering a wired alternative to wireless premium earphones with broad device compatibility and a focus on audio quality without Bluetooth or battery management.
Bose has added an unusual product to its audio line-up: a pair of $99 wired earbuds that use USB-C for both sound and power, removing the need for Bluetooth pairing or a separate charging case. According to the company’s announcement, the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are available to preorder now through Bose and Best Buy, with shipping due to begin on 15 October. They come in Black with blue accents, White Smoke with lime green accents, and a limited Dewdrop Mint finish.
The main technical twist is Bose’s QuietControl system, which uses four microphones, two in each earbud, to monitor external sound and adjust the listening mode. Bose says users can switch between Quiet mode for noise cancellation, Aware mode for letting in ambient sound, and ANC Off. Because the earbuds draw power from the connected device, there is no internal battery to charge, but that convenience comes with a cost: they occupy the USB-C port while in use and rely on the host device to supply power.
Compatibility is broad, but not universal. Bose says the earbuds work with supported USB-C devices, including newer USB-C iPhones, many Android handsets, tablets and computers, but they do not work through a traditional analogue headphone jack or with simple passive adapters, because those cannot provide the required power. The company has also positioned the product as a straightforward wired option rather than a feature-rich flagship: there is no companion app, no Bose Immersive Audio and no CustomTune processing. Instead, the appeal is a direct connection that should keep audio and video in sync, while avoiding Bluetooth compression. Bose says playback is fixed at 24-bit/48kHz through USB Audio Class 2, which means higher-resolution source files will still be output at that ceiling.
The inline remote keeps the design simple. Bose includes separate volume buttons and a multifunction control for playback, calls and noise mode changes, with press patterns for play, pause and track skipping. A microphone mounted on the back of the control is intended to capture speech without needing to be held close to the mouth, while also reducing cable noise from clothing contact. For calls and commuting, that makes the layout more practical than many budget wired earbuds, even if it is still a very different proposition from fully wireless models.
Bose is also leaning on fit and portability to strengthen the case. The earbuds ship with a 4.2ft cable, a zippered carrying case, small, medium and large silicone tips, and medium and large stability wings that can be mixed between ears and removed if preferred. Bose says the earbuds carry an IPX4 rating, so they should cope with sweat and light splashes, though not swimming or shower use. That mix of features suggests the target buyer is someone who wants noise cancellation without battery management, particularly commuters, office users, students and travellers who regularly move between a phone, tablet and laptop. The compromise is equally clear: the cable ties the earbuds to the device, uses its power and can complicate charging while listening.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
