Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds

Bose's first wired earbuds in over a decade: USB-C only, no battery, powered by the phone, with Bose QuietControl noise cancelling, three listening modes, an inline remote and mic, and 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio for $99. All seven hands-on reviewers we read recommend them for the sound and comfort; the trade-offs are USB-C-only compatibility, no app or EQ, noise cancelling a tier below the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, and a cable that snags.

Quick Answer

Is the Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds worth buying in 2026?: Bose's first wired earbuds in over a decade plug into a USB-C port, draw their power from the phone, and add Bose QuietControl noise cancelling for $99. All seven hands-on reviewers we read recommend them: the sound is better than wired earbuds at this price usually manage, comfort is excellent, and SoundGuys measured an 82% average reduction in outside noise. The trade-offs are USB-C only (no 3.5mm, no Lightning), no app or EQ, noise cancelling a clear step below the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds with audible hiss, and a cable that snags. They have been sold out almost everywhere since launch and had no Amazon US listing when we checked.

+Pros

No battery, no charging case, no pairing: plug into USB-C and they work, with 24-bit/48 kHz lossless audio and low latency
Noise cancelling that SoundGuys measured at an 82% average reduction in perceived outside noise, far ahead of ordinary wired earbuds
Sound that every hands-on reviewer rates as better than expected for $99: Dan's Tech House calls it the best sound under $99
Light and comfortable with stability wings: Shane Symonds weighed the whole set at 23 g, and Mike O'Brien and Mark Ellis wore them for hours without fatigue
Physical three-button inline remote with a microphone, three listening modes (Quiet, Aware, Off), IPX4 rating, and a zippered case
Nothing to update or break: no app, no firmware, no privacy settings

−Cons

USB-C only: there is no 3.5mm version, no Lightning adapter, and Bose says non-USB adapters will not power them
No app and no EQ, so the tuning you get is the tuning you keep; SoundGuys found the treble a little louder than its preference curve
Noise cancelling is well below the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: Mike O'Brien measured it blocking about 59 dB of jet noise versus 71 dB, and CEONTHEMAKING rates it a six out of ten against nine or more
Audible hiss with ANC on in quiet rooms, and Aware mode that SoundGuys found muffled voices
The cable snags on chairs, bags, and dogs, and the inline remote tugs when you run
Microphone is serviceable for calls, not for recording; Shane Symonds found AirPods far better
Sold out at Bose and Best Buy for most of October, and not listed on Amazon US as of November 2, 2026

In-depth Review

Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds Review — $99 USB-C earbuds with real Bose ANC and nothing to charge

Specifications

driver type	Dynamic (Bose does not publish driver size)
conn type	USB-C wired only (no 3.5mm, no Lightning)
form factor	in-ear wired, stability wings
wireless	None
weight	23 g complete set (as weighed by Shane Symonds)
battery	None; powered by the connected device
anc	true
water resistance	IPX4
microphones	4 for noise cancelling (2 per earbud) + 1 on the inline remote
cable	4.2 ft / 1.3 m

Why This Product

Bose announced the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds on September 28, 2026 and started shipping on October 15; they sold out at Bose and Best Buy within days and were still hard to find at the end of October. They plug into a USB-C port and draw their power from the device, so there is no battery, no charging case, and no pairing. Bose's QuietControl noise cancelling uses two microphones per earbud and offers Quiet, Aware, and Off modes, switched from a three-button inline remote that also carries the call microphone. Audio runs over USB Audio Class 2 with playback fixed at 24-bit/48 kHz.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Connection	USB-C wired only; Bose says non-USB (3.5mm) adapters cannot power them
Audio	Lossless, 24-bit/48 kHz output, low latency, no Bluetooth
Noise cancelling	Bose QuietControl, 4 microphones (2 per earbud); Quiet, Aware, and Off modes
Controls	3-button inline remote (volume, play/pause, track skip, calls, mode cycling) with built-in microphone
Power	None of its own; drawn from the connected device
Cable	4.2 ft (1.3 m), not braided
Water resistance	IPX4
In the box	Ear tips S/M/L, stability bands M/L, zippered carry case
Colors	Black, White Smoke, Dewdrop Mint (limited edition, bose.com exclusive)
Weight	23 g for the complete set (Shane Symonds' scale); Bose does not publish a weight

Who It's For

Reviewers see them as the earbuds for anyone whose phone, tablet, and laptop are all USB-C and who is tired of charging, pairing, and apps: commuters, desk workers, people who switch between several devices all day, and gamers who want low latency. They are a poor fit for anyone with a Lightning iPhone or a device with only a 3.5mm jack, for people who need an EQ or the strongest possible noise cancelling, and for runners and lifters who will not tolerate a cable.

Community Signal

The full review synthesizes seven hands-on YouTube reviews published between October 15 and October 28, 2026 (Mike O'Brien, Mark Ellis Reviews, SoundGuys, Shane Symonds, Simple Gear Reviews, CEONTHEMAKING, and Dan's Tech House), each linked to the exact video, plus Bose's press release and product page. Amazon US had no listing for the product on November 2, 2026, so there are no Amazon ratings to report yet; bose.com showed the Dewdrop Mint color out of stock with a notify-me button.

Last updated: November 2, 2026 · By Jordan Kim