In short: Bose goes back to basics, and today’s youth are largely responsible for that. The company is now taking pre-orders for a new set of noise-canceling earbuds that swap Bluetooth wireless connectivity for a wired listening experience. It’s the company’s first set of wired headphones in more than a decade.
Bose says the new earbuds come at a time when wired listening is becoming increasingly popular. Bluetooth wireless connectivity has been all the rage in personal audio products in recent years, but it’s not foolproof. While most modern devices support Bluetooth, older audio devices often do not. Additionally, Bluetooth connections are not always the most reliable. Add to that the headache of having to manage charging and battery life and dealing with audio lag.
For wired earbuds, just plug them in and press the play button.
However, the headphones are not entirely retro in style, as Bose has opted for a USB-C port instead of the tried and tested 3.5 mm jack. They feature an in-line remote control with tactile physical buttons for volume control, playback, calls, and switching noise cancellation modes. They are also IPX4 waterproof and feature a zippered carrying case for storage and protection when not in use.
No app is required and the headphones are powered by the phone, tablet or computer they are connected to. We were told that the playback output was fixed at 24bit/48kHz.
Wired headphones gained momentum in the second half of 2025 and started 2026 on a high note. According to Circana, sales rose 10% between July and December last year and 20% at the beginning of this year. This is in line with recent sales trends in CDs and vinyl, both of which are experiencing a revival.
The Bose wired noise-canceling earbuds are scheduled to launch on October 15th, priced at $99. They are offered in white or black as well as in a limited mint edition. Look for it online at the Bose website and at select Best Buy retail stores.
