For years, wired earbuds seemed like an accessory destined to disappear. The gradual phasing out of the 3.5 mm jack from smartphones, accelerated by Apple's decision on the iPhone 7 in 2016, turned Bluetooth earbuds into the most common solution for listening on the go. Yet the wire hasn't disappeared: after five years of decline, sales in the category returned to growth in 2026. Bose is now attempting to tap into this comeback with the Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds, a $99 model that uses USB-C and features active noise cancellation.
The novelty does not lie in the concept of a wired earbud—which is far from revolutionary—but in the way Bose tackles one of the format's historical limitations. The 3.5 mm analog connector carries the audio signal, but does not provide the power needed to directly run an ANC system. As a result, the vast majority of wired earbuds, including many products targeted at audiophiles, must rely solely on the physical passive isolation provided by ear tips.
USB-C changes the equation: the port can carry both audio and the small amount of power required by the earbuds' onboard electronics. In the new Bose model, noise is actively managed without the bulky external battery pack that characterized the QuietComfort 20, the company's previous wired ANC earbuds launched in 2013. It is a technical detail that primarily impacts everyday use: fewer inline components along the cable, no extra battery to charge, and a direct plug-and-play connection to USB-C devices.
A comeback that also speaks to the market
The wired resurgence is not merely a matter of nostalgia. Part of this renewed attention comes from younger generations, who have turned corded earbuds into a visible, recognizable accessory, much like other physical formats rediscovered in recent years, from cassette players to vinyl. Celebrity sightings wearing wired earbuds and dedicated social media accounts tracking the trend have both helped make them a familiar fixture in public spaces once again.
Yet aesthetics alone cannot explain the format's persistence. A pair of wired earbuds lacks a small internal battery destined to lose capacity over time—an unavoidable issue with true wireless models. They do not require charging before heading out and, crucially, are harder to misplace: the two earpieces remain tethered to each other and to the device. These are ordinary benefits, but they become significant for anyone seeking a dependable accessory for travel, work, or study without having to check the case's battery level every day.
However, Bose chooses not to deliver a retro product. The connection is USB-C, rather than the analog jack that defined earphones for decades, and the design incorporates features that many users associate with modern wireless models. The result is a product positioned between two habits: it retains the uninterrupted reliability of a cable, yet relies on the port now found on most recent phones, tablets, and computers.
What the Bose model offers
The Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds arrive at $99. In The Verge's review, they were deemed easy to use, comfortable, and secure in the ear, complete with support for high-resolution audio. Their standout feature, however, remains ANC: USB-C wired earbuds that offer it are still rare, whereas products relying solely on passive isolation are far more common on the market.
The distinction needs clarifying. Passive isolation depends on the shape of the earbuds and the seal of the ear tips: it dampens external sounds by creating a physical barrier. Active noise cancellation, on the other hand, uses microphones and electronic processing to counteract part of the ambient noise. They are not mutually exclusive technologies, as a good in-ear fit remains beneficial even with ANC enabled, but the presence of Bose's system makes these earbuds better suited for those seeking a reduction in continuous noise while on the move without switching to a Bluetooth model.
A direct connection also carries a distinct limitation. These earphones are not the solution for anyone with a phone lacking USB-C who still wants to use the legacy analog jack: compatibility revolves strictly around the digital port. Likewise, opting for a wire means accepting a cable between user and device, along with the clutter and potential tangles that wireless tech has made far less common. Bose does not eliminate that trade-off; it treats it as part of a package where reliability and simplicity matter more than complete freedom of movement.
Limitations noted in use
The review points out two drawbacks worth keeping in mind. The first concerns phone calls: voice quality is not cited as a strong point. The second is wind noise, which can become intrusive. For a product designed around microphones and active noise cancellation, these are significant factors: anyone spending a lot of time on outdoor calls should not take the presence of ANC as a guarantee of crystal-clear conversations in every scenario.
There is also a broader limitation shared by the entire category. The success of wireless earbuds does not rely solely on the absence of cables, but on the freedom to leave a phone in a pocket or away from a workstation without physical tethers. A wired USB-C pair reclaims convenience when it comes to power, but it cannot replicate that freedom. Consequently, the choice makes sense for a specific audience: those who prioritize an always-ready connection, do not want to worry about battery life, or want both ANC and wired listening in a single accessory.
The $99 price tag places Bose's offering far above budget wired earphones, but well below many premium wireless alternatives featuring active noise cancellation. The return of the wire is unlikely to sway the mass market, which remains dominated by true wireless models, nor is it guaranteed that the current nostalgia trend will turn into a permanent habit. It does signal, however, that the transition to Bluetooth has not eliminated every single need that cables once served so well.
For Bose, the launch also marks a return to territory abandoned for over a decade. The QuietComfort 20 solved the issue of powering ANC with a rechargeable battery built into the cable; the new Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds instead leverage the evolution of device ports. Technology is not turning back the clock: it updates an old format for current connections. If other manufacturers follow this path, wired earbuds could carve out a space for themselves once again—not as a budget alternative to wireless, but as a functional choice for those who want fewer recharges and uninterrupted listening.
