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Can I use these headphones wired with a cable?

By ShopSavvy Team

Published: January 20th, 2026

2 min read

Last Updated: January 20th, 2026

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The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) supports two wired connection methods—a notable upgrade over the 1st Gen.

Wired Options

| Connection | Cable Included | Key Benefits | |------------|----------------|--------------| | USB-C | Yes | Digital audio, charges while playing | | 3.5mm analog | Yes | Universal compatibility, works at 0% battery |

USB-C Audio (New Feature)

The 1st Gen only used USB-C for charging. The 2nd Gen now supports full audio playback over USB-C.

Advantages:

Digital audio bypasses Bluetooth compression
Headphones charge while listening
Compatible with laptops, tablets, Nintendo Switch, and USB-C phones
Full feature support (ANC, Immersive Audio, controls)

Best for: Audiophiles wanting lossless audio from computers, or travelers using USB-C in-flight entertainment ports.

3.5mm Analog Audio

The traditional 3.5mm cable provides universal compatibility.

Best for: Airplane entertainment systems, older devices, or emergency use when battery is depleted.

Important: With a completely dead battery, 3.5mm provides passive audio only—no ANC or Immersive Audio.

Feature Availability in Wired Mode

Unlike some competitors, the QuietComfort Ultra maintains full functionality when wired:

✓ Active Noise Cancellation
✓ Immersive Audio
✓ Aware (Transparency) Mode
✓ On-ear controls

Active features require battery power

This USB-C audio support was one of the most requested features from 1st Gen owners and represents a meaningful upgrade for the 2nd Gen model.

How we researched this

Where this comes from: This answer is based on ShopSavvy's product database, real-time pricing from thousands of retailers, and a look at hundreds of user reviews to give you a well-rounded picture.