New Earbuds This Week: Bose Wired ANC Earbuds Ship and Fairphone Fairbuds 2 Launches

Two earbud launches stand out this week, and both are aimed at people who don't want to spend flagship money. Bose is bringing back wired noise-cancelling earbuds, with shipping starting October 15. Fairphone has revealed the Fairbuds 2, a repairable pair that went on sale in Europe on October 14. Neither product has been tested by our team, so everything below comes from the companies and the outlets cited.

Bose Noise Cancelling Wired Earbuds

Bose announced these on September 28, and according to the company they ship October 15. They are a return to wired earbuds with a USB-C connection. Bose's release names no direct predecessor, but Inven Global describes them as continuing the QC20 line, which launched 11 years ago.

Bose says the earbuds use QuietControl noise cancellation and SoundDesign digital signal processing. They work with USB-C phones, tablets and computers, with no pairing or app required. There is no internal battery: Bose says they draw power from the connected device, including for noise cancellation. They support lossless listening over the USB Audio Class 2 (UAC2) protocol, with playback output fixed at 24-bit/48kHz. Inven Global reports three listening modes.

The price is $99. Preorders are open at Bose.com and Best Buy, in Black and White Smoke, plus a limited-edition Dewdrop Mint. These look aimed at commuters and travelers whose devices have USB-C and who would rather not charge another battery. Anyone who needs wireless earbuds should look at a model like the Sony WF-1000XM6, which we have reviewed.

Fairphone Fairbuds 2

Fairphone's Fairbuds 2 were revealed and launched in Europe on October 14. The price is €119 in Europe and $119 in the US, according to Digital Trends and Android Authority. US buyers will have to wait: Fairphone's support page lists the US launch for November 2, 2026.

The pitch is repairability. Digital Trends and Notebookcheck report that the earbuds have seven replaceable, modular parts, the same as the original Fairbuds. Secnews.gr says they use bio-cellulose dynamic drivers and have a new stem-style design in black and green, along with improved battery life and a smaller charging case. We could not find battery-life figures or a full manufacturer spec sheet.

There are two other changes from the first generation. The Fairbuds 2 cost less at launch than the original, which debuted at €149 in 2024 and has since dropped to $99.99 in the US, according to Digital Trends. They also add support for Sony's LDAC codec, where the original supported only SBC and AAC, per Digital Trends and Notebookcheck.

The Fairbuds 2 are likely to appeal to buyers who care about being able to repair their earbuds and want a mid-priced pair. Note that the original may be the cheaper option in the US for now.