Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: Bose sound on a budget?

Skullcandy isn’t exactly the first name you’d expect to pair with Bose, but that’s exactly the unexpected combo behind the new Method 360 ANC earbuds. Priced at just $99.99 at Amazon, these buds promise premium features like hybrid noise canceling, customizable sound, and—most notably—audio tuning “by Bose.” But bold marketing claims aside, do they really deliver a refined listening experience for a bargain, or is this just bass-heavy bravado in disguise? Let’s take a listen.

What’s it like to use the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC?

At first glance, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds might give you déjà vu — they’re practically identical in shape and size to Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. But the mould isn’t Bose’s only contribution here; Bose essentially provides the skeleton of these earbuds: the drivers, acoustic tuning, and licensed ear tips and fins from the QC Ultra. Skullcandy adds the skin, wrapping that foundation in lightweight, cheaper plastic and offering a range of bold color options.

Skullcandy makes good use of Bose’s ergonomic design. With three sizes of ear tips and fins included, I easily found a secure, snug fit that stayed put whether I was commuting, working out, or just lounging. Once fitted properly, the Method 360 ANC feels stable without causing ear fatigue. Control-wise, the touch sensors are intuitive and responsive, and my taps never disrupted the seal — a common frustration with budget earbuds.

The case, however, is where we see the biggest difference from Bose’s product lineup, for better or worse. While technically pocketable, the integrated carabiner clip makes it clear this is designed to hang from a backpack or belt loop. Each earbud slots into opposite sides of the case, so when it’s clipped and facing away from you, the right earbud is on your right and the left on your left. If you’re not wearing the case, this layout becomes less intuitive and a bit fiddly. Plus, while some might enjoy showing off a Leopard print case, not everyone wants to be a walking advertisement.

Practicality takes another hit with the slider mechanism, which leaves room for improvement. It really should have a proper locking mechanism, especially since it began to loosen after just a week of use. For Skullcandy’s target audience — skateboarders, snowboarders, and anyone active — a case swinging from a belt loop or jacket is bound to get knocked around. Without a secure lock, there’s a real risk of it sliding open at the wrong moment and sending your earbuds flying.

What are the best features of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC?

The headline feature of the Method 360 ANC is, unsurprisingly, the Sound by Bose branding. While the tuning leans more towards Skullcandy’s signature bass-heavy profile, having Bose’s drivers and acoustic input gives these earbuds an edge over many competitors in this price range.

Beyond the hardware, the Skull-iQ app has plenty of software features packed into it —an app that may look strangely familiar. That is because it is literally the same app that the Bose QuietComfort (2024) earbuds use, just reskinned. The app offers three EQ presets out of the box, but the real standout is the customizable 5-band EQ, with around a dozen intensity levels per band—perfect for dialing back that bass and raising the mids.

The app also lets you adjust both ANC and Stay-Aware (transparency) modes, with multiple intensity levels to fine-tune how much noise you block or let in. Gamers will appreciate the low-latency Studio Mode, while multitaskers can take advantage of button remapping, including handy features like Spotify Tap or even using a tap to trigger your phone’s camera shutter.

However, I have to say the built-in voice prompts are uncomfortably loud, regardless of your device’s volume settings. Whether it’s announcing battery life, switching EQ presets, or toggling ANC modes, the prompts are always delivered at full blast — and there’s currently no way to adjust the volume or disable them in the app. It’s a jarring experience that breaks immersion far too often. Hopefully, Skullcandy addresses this with a future firmware update, but for now, it’s a persistent irritation.

How does the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC connect?

The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC keeps things simple with Bluetooth 5.3. Codec support is limited to AAC and SBC, so there’s no high-resolution audio option here, but that’s typical at this price point. However, you do get Bluetooth multipoint support, allowing you to stay connected to two devices at once for easy switching between, say, your phone and laptop.

How long do the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC’s battery last?

In our testing, the Method 360 ANC managed 7 hours and 43 minutes with ANC on — a respectable result that comes close to the advertised 9 hours. With the case, you’ll get a total of 32 hours before needing to recharge. Switching ANC off extends battery life to around 11 hours in the earbuds and up to 40 hours total with the case.

If you do run low, the Rapid Charge feature gives you about 2 hours of playback from just 10 minutes plugged in. The case charges via a USB-C port on the bottom, but there’s no wireless charging support.

How well do the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC cancel noise?

The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC delivers respectable noise cancelation for its price, but it doesn’t reach the heights of premium ANC earbuds, including those from Bose itself. With ANC enabled, the Method 360 ANC reduces low-frequency sounds (like engine rumbles) by up to 28dB around 80Hz, which translates to a noticeable drop in background noise during commutes or flights.

Above 1kHz, where higher-pitched sounds like chatter and keyboard clicks live, the Method 360 ANC manages up to 35dB of attenuation, thanks to a combination of active noise canceling and a decent passive seal from the Bose-designed ear tips. While this won’t completely eliminate high-pitched noises, it does a good job of dulling everyday distractions.

Isolation without ANC is far less effective. The passive seal only starts to meaningfully block sound above 2kHz, so you’ll want to keep ANC on in most noisy environments to get the best experience.

How do the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC sound?

The default sound of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC is very bass-heavy but spacious and enjoyable, if you don’t mind sacrificing detail and clarity in the mids. I recommend using the custom equalizer in the Skullcandy IQ app to adjust the tuning.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

The chart below shows how the Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Score (MDAQS) algorithm from HEAD acoustics assesses the sound of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC. The sound quality is rated on a scale from 1.0 (very bad) to 5.0 (very good).

The MDAQS results show a strong Overall score of 4.9, suggesting that most listeners will find the default sound enjoyable. The high Timbre (4.9) and Immersiveness (4.8) scores indicate a spacious sound that suits many genres, even if the low-end is a bit overpowering. We have noticed that MDAQS often favors bass presence—or perhaps discounts excessive sub-bass, since it’s less noticeable to casual listeners. The lower Distortion score (3.1) hints that clarity can suffer, especially at higher volumes. Still, these results reflect a sound signature that will appeal to the average listener right out of the box.

Reviewer’s notes

Editor’s note: this review uses a hover-enabled glossary to describe sound quality based on a consensus vocabulary. You can read about it here.

Objective Measurements

When comparing the frequency response of the METHOD 360 ANC to our house curve, the most significant deviation is the extremely elevated sub-bass. Believe it or not, this is the default sound of the earbuds and not the Bass Boost EQ preset (more on that below). If you don’t dial it down with the custom EQ, you can expect a boomy low end. This much bass strength will lead to muddiness by overshadowing the mids.

There is also some overemphasis in the treble region, similar to that of the Bose QC Ultra earbuds, about 10dB more than we would like to see around 2,500 Hz.

Can you use the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC for phone calls?

The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC’s microphone delivers a clear but noticeably processed voice quality. Speech comes through intelligibly and with decent clarity, but it sounds thin and slightly recessed, lacking the fullness and warmth you’d get from something like a dedicated headset mic or higher-end earbuds such as the AirPods Pro. There’s a distinct compressed or filtered character, which makes it obvious you’re speaking through a headset.

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Should you buy the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC?

If you’ve ever wished for a budget version of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC gets surprisingly close, at least in some areas. You’re getting the same ergonomic design, Bose-tuned drivers, and solid ANC performance, all for a fraction of the price. But that lower price tag comes with trade-offs: a bass-heavy sound signature that won’t suit every genre, and a quirky case design that sacrifices practicality for style.

That said, at its $99 launch price, it’s hard to argue with what’s on offer. The Method 360 ANC packs in features rarely seen at this price point, from adjustable ANC and a customizable EQ to Bluetooth multipoint and low-latency mode. Just keep in mind that this is an introductory price — we’re told the MSRP will rise to $129.99, though chances are we’ll see frequent discounts bringing it back down. If you enjoy bold design, booming bass, and a feature-packed experience without breaking the bank, these earbuds deliver excellent value, especially if you snag them at the right time.

However, if you’re chasing more balanced sound, premium materials, and top-tier noise cancelation, you’ll still need to pay Bose prices for the real thing.

What should you get instead of the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC?

If you want more balanced sound quality, LDAC support, and an app packed with even deeper customization, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 Pro ($129.99 at Amazon) outshines the Method 360 ANC. While both offer strong ANC and feature-rich apps, Anker delivers a cleaner audio profile with less overpowering bass and better codec options. However, its quirky charging case is more gimmick than practical, and battery life falls short compared to Skullcandy.

If you’re after great ANC and innovative controls at a lower price, the CMF Buds Pro 2 stands out with its unique and convenient Smart Dial case and impressive noise cancellation (on the product's website). Like the Method 360 ANC, they lean heavily into bass but offer less customization with only a tri-band EQ. You’ll miss out on Bluetooth multipoint but gain a more compact, practical design and better water resistance.

For commuters seeking strong ANC in a compact, no-frills design, the Galaxy Buds FE ($99 at Amazon) are a reliable alternative. They offer better pocketability and similar noise cancellation to the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC with a far less bassy sound profile. You’ll miss out on advanced customization and features like multipoint, and the app demands excessive permissions. Still, for simple daily use, especially within Samsung’s ecosystem, they’re a safe, affordable pick.

If you’re willing to spend more for top-tier sound quality and class-leading ANC, the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds (2024) are a clear upgrade over the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC. You’ll get a more balanced, customizable sound and better noise cancellation, but at nearly double the price ($179 at Amazon). Just be aware of potential connectivity issues and a bulky, cheap-feeling case that’s less portable than Skullcandy’s clip-on design.

Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review: FAQs