These New Bose $99 Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Could Compete With Apple EarPods

If you've been waiting for a reason to give wired earbuds another chance, then Bose might have just given you one. The company has announced a $99 pair of earbuds that connect through USB-C and deliver active noise cancellation, and all without an extra battery you need to remember to recharge. All you have to do is plug them into a compatible phone, tablet, or computer, and they're ready to go.

That makes the new Bose wired earbuds a fantastic alternative to Apple's USB-C EarPods. However, because they are more expensive (Apple's EarPods typically retail for $19), Bose might have a little convincing to do if it truly wants wired headphone fans to invest in the new offering despite there being several other affordable wired earbuds out there.

The earbuds are available for preorder on Bose's website starting on September 28 and will ship on October 15. (via The Verge) They will be available in three colors and retail for $99. Bose headphones are expensive, but if you value features like noise cancellation, which the EarPods lack, that extra $80 could be worth it.

While the arrival of a new pair of wired earbuds from Bose might seem out of place, especially given how wireless our lives have become these days, these kinds of earbuds are exactly what many in the community have been waiting to see from Bose. Being able to plug a pair of earbuds directly into your device means you don't need to keep a charging case topped up, so you can keep listening to music or take calls for hours on end, as long as your device has juice left.

Earlier this year, there was a lot of excitement from some users in the Bose community when one Redditor shared that the Bose leadership had responded well to their pitch for a USB-C refresh of the QC20 lineup. The poster noted that Bose "acknowledged that with today's miniaturization (like the tech in the QC Ultra), a wired USB-C version without the bulky battery box is technically achievable." That was back in December of 2025, suggesting that Bose may have already been working on these new wired earbuds.

Many users responded to that post by sharing the original poster's excitement and even discussing how they'd used wired earbuds from Bose for years before having to switch to wireless after Bose discontinued the original wired options it offered several years ago. Now, though, with Bose set to bring its wired offerings back, these users won't have to settle for wireless anymore.

There are a couple of reasons why wired headphones are making a comeback, though a lot of it has to do with better audio quality. Not only is it a statement, but it is also considered more convenient, as you don't have to worry about charging a pair of wired headphones before heading out.

If you consider yourself a fan of wired accessories, now is one of the best times we've seen in tech in the last few years. Old-school wired earbuds have been making a steady comeback over the past few months, and you can even get some great wired earbuds for under $50. 

Sure, wired earbuds do still have their disadvantages — like knotted wires, limited mobility, and the fact that they will take up your phone's USB charging port when in use. However, if you don't mind those negatives, then these new Bose wired earbuds could certainly be worth adding to your bucket list.