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Updated: 2026-10-02 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• EARLA TEC's biggest strength: it brings back the in-line microphone and remote buttons on Bose QC25/QC35 (and SoundLink/SoundTrue) headphones, with a 1.5 m TPU cable that ends in one straight and one L-shaped plug.
• EARLA TEC's biggest trade-off: it is a cable, not a headset — you must already own compatible Bose headphones, and the remote track/volume buttons are aimed at iPhone and iPod, not every Android phone.
• NUBWO HW02's biggest strength: a full on-ear wired headset with a noise-cancelling boom microphone, dual USB-C and 3.5 mm connectivity, and an in-line volume control, so it works out of the box on a laptop, phone or PC.
• NUBWO HW02's biggest trade-off: it is a plastic on-ear design with a 27 mm driver, so it is built for speech clarity and comfort during calls, not for deep music listening.
• Pick EARLA TEC if you love your existing Bose headphones and just need the mic cable back.
• Pick NUBWO HW02 if you need a headset for calls and meetings and don't already own a compatible pair.
This is a repair-and-restore product, not a new listening device. The EARLA TEC cable is a 1.5 m (150 cm) replacement cord built for Bose QuietComfort QC25 and QC35 headphones, and it also lists compatibility with Bose SoundLink and SoundTrue models. It uses a 3.5 mm to 2.5 mm jack arrangement with two male plugs — one straight, one L-shaped — which is the combination that lets you plug into a phone or laptop on one end and the headphone itself on the other. The cable material is TPU, which is the soft, rubbery jacket type that tends to survive everyday coiling and pocket life better than stiff plastic.
The reason to buy it is the in-line module. It carries a microphone plus remote buttons, so you get hands-free calls and basic music control without touching your phone. The listed functions are answer/hang up, volume up/down, and previous/next track for iPhone and iPod. That makes it a natural fit if you own QC25 or QC35 headphones whose original cable has frayed, gone missing, or lost its mic, and you want to keep using the headphones you already like instead of replacing them.
NUBWO HW02: Who It's For
The NUBWO HW02 is a finished wired headset. You get the earcups, the cable and the microphone in one box, with no existing headphones required. It's an on-ear design in graphite plastic with circular earcups, and it ships in a USB-C plus 3.5 mm configuration — the model name literally reads "TYPE C+3.5mm." That dual-connection approach is the headline feature: USB for laptops and desktops, 3.5 mm for phones, tablets and anything with a standard headphone jack.
The microphone is the part that matters most here. NUBWO describes it as a noise-cancelling microphone on a boom, and the headset is positioned for office, call-center, Skype and webinar use. It also states the headset has been optimized for compatibility with major communication software and provides some shortcuts for convenience. The in-line control is a button-based volume control, so you can adjust level without reaching for the computer. On the audio side, the specs are modest and honest about intent: 27 mm dynamic drivers, 32 ohm impedance, 98 dB sensitivity, and a 20 Hz–20,000 Hz frequency range. That's a speech-first tuning, not a bass-heavy music signature.
Comfort is the second selling point. NUBWO specifically notes a lightweight build and soft ear cushions for extended wear, which is exactly what you want if you're on calls for hours. Note that noise control is listed as "None" — the noise cancellation applies to the microphone, not to what you hear, so this is not an active noise-cancelling headphone. There's also a 2-year manufacturer warranty, which is a meaningful detail for something you'll wear daily.
Who should buy it? Anyone who needs one reliable wired headset for work calls, remote meetings, online classes or a call-center desk, and who wants the flexibility of both USB and 3.5 mm without buying adapters. Who should skip it? If you already own a great pair of Bose headphones and only need the mic cable, buying a whole second headset is overkill. And if your priority is immersive music listening rather than clear voice, the 27 mm on-ear drivers aren't the tool for that job.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for reviving existing Bose headphones → EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable. It's the only one of the two that plugs into QC25/QC35 earcups.
• Best for laptop and PC meetings → NUBWO HW02. USB-C plus 3.5 mm plus stated optimization for communication software.
• Best for phone calls with your own headphones → EARLA TEC. The in-line mic and remote buttons handle answer/hang-up and volume.
• Best for long wear during meetings → NUBWO HW02. Lightweight build and soft ear cushions are explicitly designed for extended use.
• Best for travel and pocket carry → EARLA TEC. At 0.01 kg and 150 cm, it's a cable you can coil and forget, not a second pair of headphones to pack.
• Best for music-first listening → neither, honestly. EARLA TEC inherits whatever your Bose headphones already do; NUBWO's 27 mm drivers are tuned for voice, not bass.
• Best if you're unsure what your phone supports → EARLA TEC. It lists iPhone 3GS through 6 Plus, Samsung and some Android phones, plus Fire tablets, though the remote buttons favor iPhone/iPod.
In my opinion, the answer comes down to one question: do you already own compatible Bose headphones? If yes, I'd buy the EARLA TEC Replacement Audio Cable — it's a cheap-feeling fix in the best sense, restoring the mic and controls you lost without replacing hardware you already like. If you don't own them, I'd buy the NUBWO HW02 instead, because a cable with nothing to plug into is useless, while the HW02 gives you a ready-to-use headset with a boom mic, dual USB-C and 3.5 mm connections, and a 2-year warranty. For pure call and meeting duty, the HW02 is the more complete purchase. For repair and reuse, the EARLA TEC cable wins on focus. Check the current price on Amazon for whichever one matches your situation before deciding.
An inline mic is a small microphone built into the cable itself, usually in a little module that also holds volume and call buttons. The EARLA TEC cable is exactly this: a microphone and remote buttons on the cord, so you can take calls and control music without touching your phone. The NUBWO HW02 takes a different route — its mic sits on a boom arm near your mouth, which generally picks up your voice more directly.
How to use wired headphones with mic on PC?
Yes. NUBWO states the headset is equipped with a USB connection and is also compatible with a 3.5 mm audio jack, which is why the model is labeled "TYPE C+3.5mm." That dual setup means you can move between a laptop and a phone without hunting for an adapter. The EARLA TEC cable, by contrast, is a single auxiliary cable with no USB option.
Not necessarily. The listed remote functions — volume and previous/next track — are specified for iPhone and iPod, even though the cable lists compatibility with Samsung and some Android phones. Basic audio and the in-line mic are the safest expectation on Android; treat the track and volume buttons as iPhone/iPod-first. If full button control across devices matters to you, the NUBWO HW02's dedicated volume control is the more predictable choice.
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