Bose Brings Noise Cancelling Back to Wired Earbuds for $99

Bose has released the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds at $99, and they are one of the few wired earbuds that offer active noise cancelling.

They connect over USB-C, and that connection is also what powers the noise cancelling. The older 3.5mm and 4.4mm analog plugs do not carry enough power for it, which is why most wired earbuds only block noise passively. Bose’s last attempt, the 2013 QuietComfort 20, needed a rechargeable battery in the cable. The new pair does not.

The Verge gave them an 8 out of 10. Its reviewer praised the comfortable and secure fit, the high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/48kHz) and how simple they are to use: plug them in and they work, with no pairing, charging or app. The wired connection also keeps latency low, so sound and video line up. On the downside, call quality is not great, because the microphone sits on the in-line remote and picks up ambient sound. Wind noise is distracting too. The noise cancelling is solid for the price against low rumbles like air conditioners, but it struggles to mute conversation, and it does not match Bose’s Bluetooth earbuds. The 4.2-foot cable also catches on everything.

I have always preferred wired audio. Wireless latency was a real problem for a long time, and a direct connection means I never have to think about a battery, which I tend to forget about. The one exception is my phone. There I want to be fully wireless, because I do not like cables hanging off me or catching on things while I move. So the cable complaint in the review is the one I understand best.

Quality is where I would be most careful. I notice weak audio immediately, and for me it matters more than noise cancelling. At $99 these are not expensive, but they are not cheap either, so the audio has to earn the price. Call quality and wind noise are limits I would take seriously.

The Verge also notes that wired earbuds are making a small comeback: their sales rose this year after five years of decline. Prices and availability can change, so check the current price before you buy.