The return of the cord
Lowkey, the wired earbud revival is here to stay. After Apple killed the headphone jack back in 2016, we all went full Bluetooth, but wired buds are seeing a major comeback. Think tape decks and vinyl vibes—it’s honestly a whole aesthetic now.
Bose is leaning into the trend, but they’re not just re-releasing dusty relics. The new Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds ($99) are hitting the scene with active noise cancellation (ANC) and a USB-C connection, meaning you don’t need to mess with those annoying dongles.
No charge, no drama
Real talk: the best part about these is the simplicity. No pairing issues, no charging cases, and zero latency when you're watching videos. Since they pull power directly from your phone’s USB-C port, you get ANC without needing a clunky, separate battery pack like the old-school models.
How do they sound? Pretty solid. The bass is punchy without being extra, and they support high-res audio if you’re a total audiophile. That said, the ANC isn't quite as godly as what you’d get on Bose’s top-tier Bluetooth buds. It mutes the drone of an AC unit easily, but you’ll probably still hear your roommate’s tea-spilling phone calls in the background.
The reality check
Before you go full main character with these, let's address the elephant in the room: the cable. It’s 4.2 feet of pure "I will snag on every single thing in your apartment." From your bag strap to your keyboard, it’s a mission. Plus, there’s that classic cable noise if you bump the wire, and the mic is just average—so maybe don't use these for your most important Zoom calls on a busy street.
Why it matters
If you're tired of your wireless buds dying mid-commute or dealing with random connection lag, these are a W. They give you premium-ish audio and ANC at a reasonable price point without forcing you to deal with Bluetooth tech. They aren't going to make everyone switch back to wires, but for $99, they’re the best no-fuss option for your daily grind.
