Ahead of the launch of its new $100 Method 360 ANC earbuds in NewYork City, Skullcandy hyped the brand new buds as “the boldest audio product of 2025, featuring a partnership you didn’t see coming.” Whether the Method 360 ANC are the boldest audio product of the yr is debatable, however I used to be definitely shocked to study that Skullcandy had joined forces with Bose to create what’s basically the funds model of Bose’s $299 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. Read extra: Best wi-fi earbuds of 2025I’ve been utilizing the Method 360 ANC for less than a day — they’re obtainable now in 5 shade choices — however I’ve been largely impressed with the brand new buds, which sound higher than many of the earbuds on this value class. From a design standpoint, they share most of the traits of the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, with the same form and stabilizing “fit” fins, however they’re lighter and lack the extra premium end and general really feel of these dear buds. That stated, they provide the same match — and by that, I imply they’re fairly comfy and keep in your ears very securely when you get the buds arrange with the best combo of ear ideas and fins (three sizes of every are included). The buds are available 5 shade choices. SkullcandyMethod 360 ANC’s jumbo case has plusses and minusesThe one evident distinction between the Method 360 ANC and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, in addition to the step-down Quiet Comfort Earbuds ($179), is the Method 360 ANC’s charging case. It’s large — maybe too large for some individuals — and it is slightly awkward to get the buds within the case. Yes, the case nonetheless matches in a pocket or could be clipped onto a backpack or your jacket. But in contrast with the charging circumstances of most true-wireless earbuds, it is fairly jumbo. It additionally has no wi-fi charging.On the plus facet, the case does have a definite Skullycandy-ish vibe, and I like the way it slides open/shuts and the way the o-ring clip is built-in into the case. It additionally homes an ample-size battery that shops an additional 23 hours of battery life when the case is absolutely charged. The buds are rated for 9 hours of battery life with noise canceling on, or 32 hours complete (with the juice within the case), and 11 hours with ANC off, or 40 hours complete. I have never absolutely examined the buds but to substantiate these numbers, but when correct, they’re good. The case has a slot for every bud on reverse sides of the case. There’s no wi-fi charging. David Carnoy/CNETSound by BoseSkullcandy describes the buds as having “Sound by Bose,” which entails {hardware} (a chipset and presumably drivers) and acoustic digital tuning. I do not know precisely what parts the buds use, however they sound much like Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds and have comparable specs, together with four-mic hybrid energetic noise canceling. Like the QC Earbuds, they’re outfitted with ear-detection sensors that pause your music whenever you take the buds out of your ears and resume playback whenever you put the buds again in your ears. I additionally thought the contact controls had been well-implemented. They’re customizable by way of the Skullcandy-iQ app for iOS and Android, the place you may as well mess around with EQ settings to tweak the sound profile. Testing the buds within the streets of New York. David Carnoy/CNETBose’s earbuds and headphones are designed to work effectively with a wide range of music and provide usually clean, punchy sound that is very nice for listening. While some premium buds provide slightly extra element and readability, like Bose’s QC Earbuds, the bass on these Skullcandy buds has good kick to it with out sounding boomy. I do not suppose the Method 360 ANC buds sound nearly as good because the QC Ultras, which have a tad extra depth and extension (they provide barely richer, extra detailed sound), however the contest was a lot nearer than I assumed it will be. It’s additionally value mentioning that the Method 360 ANC buds play fairly loud and sound higher than any Skullcandy earbuds I’ve examined over time. I nonetheless must take heed to them slightly longer and evaluate them with another earbuds on this value vary earlier than delivering a closing verdict, however so far as sound goes, there actually is not a lot to complain about for the worth. Skullcandy’s greatest noise canceling in a pair of earbudsNoise canceling additionally appears fairly good, and you may regulate its “intensity” within the app together with the extent of ambient sound you let into the buds whenever you’re within the “stay-aware” mode. While noise canceling is not a part of the Sound By Bose program, a PR rep instructed me it was validated by Bose as assembly its requirements. As with the sound high quality, it is not fairly as much as the extent of what you get with the QC Ultra Earbuds and even the QC Earbuds, nevertheless it’s respectable and more practical than the middling ANC on earlier Skullcandy noise-canceling earbuds I’ve tried.I discovered the voice-calling efficiency to be one thing of a blended bag. In my checks within the noisy streets of New York, one caller stated they may hear me clearly with little background noise, whereas two different callers stated my voice warbled and lower out and in (I used to be onerous to listen to). I nonetheless have some testing to do on this space, however there are some query marks about name high quality — at the least in relation to what callers are listening to (I had no points on my finish listening to callers). The buds in plasma pink. SkullcandyA wonderful worth for the momentI’ll have my full assessment of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds within the coming days. But except for just a few caveats, it is protected to say these buds look like an excellent worth. Note that Skullcandy refers to their $100 price ticket as an “introductory price,” and that it may change in time because the state of affairs with tariffs stays fluid. But a Skullcandy rep knowledgeable me that the earbuds went into manufacturing in January, so the corporate was in a position to get loads of models to the US earlier than the tariffs went into impact. While there are at present exemptions in place for smartphones, laptops and another electronics, there aren’t any tariff carve-outs for headphones and earbuds. Skullcandy Method 360 ANC key specsSound By Bose technologyBattery Life: Up to 40 hours ANC off (11 in buds, 29 in case); as much as 32 hours with ANC on (9 in buds, 23 in case)Noise-isolating, ergonomic match: 3 totally different dimension pairs of match fins and three units of ear gels, leveraging licensed know-how from BoseAdjustable 4-mic hybrid energetic noise canceling with customizable Stay-Aware modeLow latency audioWear detection sensorsIPX4 sweat and waterproof (splash-proof)Skull-iQ App suitable: Choose one among 3 preset EQ settings or customise your personal, reconfigure the button features, regulate your Stay-Aware or ANC modes and moreRapid cost: A 10-minute cost supplies 2 hours of playtime Clear Voice good mic helps isolate your voice and scale back background noise throughout callsSpotify Tap compatibleGoogle Fast Pair Multipoint Bluetooth Pairing: Pair two gadgets concurrently for simple switchingVoice sidetone for calls (hear your voice within the earbuds throughout calls)Bluetooth 5.3 with LE AudioFive shade choices: Black, bone, primer, plasma and leopardPrice: $100
