Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds

Bose's Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds are a deliberate step against the wireless tide. They mark Bose's return to wired earbuds and plug straight into a USB-C port. There's no Bluetooth pairing, no companion app and no battery to keep topped up, and the connected device even powers the active noise cancellation. At $99 the pitch is refreshingly simple: plug in and listen.

That makes them most appealing to a few groups. Commuters and travellers who keep forgetting to charge their wireless buds will appreciate them, as will people who want low-latency audio for video or gaming on a USB-C phone, tablet or laptop. Listeners who value lossless playback over cable-free convenience are another fit. The physical in-line remote, which handles volume, playback, calls and noise cancellation modes, should also suit anyone who has grown frustrated with finicky touch controls. If you can't live with a cable, these obviously aren't for you.

The case for these earbuds rests mainly on convenience and sound. Removing the battery and Bluetooth stack eliminates the most common annoyances of modern earbuds: dead batteries, pairing hiccups and app dependence. Support for lossless audio over USB Audio Class 2 and low-latency performance give them a practical edge over many wireless alternatives.

Early critical reception is encouraging. CNET gave them an Editors' Choice award and suggested they may be the best USB-C wired earbuds currently available. It praised their clean, full-bodied sound with strong bass. Multiple eartip and stability wing sizes should help most people find a secure fit, and IPX4 water resistance adds some peace of mind for workouts or wet commutes.

There are trade-offs, though:

• Noise cancellation is good, not great. CNET notes the ANC isn't top tier. Buyers expecting flagship-level silence from Bose's QuietControl branding may be slightly disappointed.
• They depend on your device. Because they draw power from the connected device, they will add some drain to your phone or laptop.
• USB-C only. They only work with devices that have a USB-C port.
• It's still a cable. The wired design will be a dealbreaker for some.

Overall, this is a smart, focused product at a fair price. It does exactly what it sets out to do, and it does so with the polish you'd expect from Bose. The merely solid noise cancellation keeps it just shy of top marks, but for USB-C users who want hassle-free, great-sounding earbuds with ANC, it's an easy recommendation.