Latest news with #Method360ANC
CNET
08-07-2025
- Business
- CNET
Save Big on Skullcandy's Bose-Infused Method 360 ANC Earbuds With 24% Off For Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day sale: The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds are available for $76 as part of Amazon's Prime Day sale event, which is equivalent to 24% off. We named them the best-sounding noise-canceling earbuds under $100, and they're at the best price (down by $24) that we've seen since they launched. Back in April Skullcandy and Bose teamed up to create the Method 360 ANC, an impressive-sounding pair of affordable noise-canceling earbuds. At launch, Skullcandy made a big deal about the buds having an introductory price of $100 instead of their list price of $130. Well, for Amazon Prime Day, the company has managed to shave off another $24 -- the Method 360 ANC can be had for just $76 (white, black and red colors), which is an even better deal on a set of buds that was already a good deal at $100. Read more: Best wireless earbuds of 2025 I have a hands-on review of the Method 360 ANC you can read, but the quick take on them is that they're basically a budget version of Bose's $299 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. With "Sound by Bose," not only do the Method 360 ANC buds sound better than most earbuds in this price class (they sound very similar to Bose's $170 QuietComfort Earbuds), but they also fit comfortably and securely thanks to Bose's Fit Kit system that features stability bands to lock the buds in your ears. Enlarge Image The buds in plasma red. They also come in four other colors. Skullcandy While they share many traits with Bose's flagship QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, they're lighter and lack the more premium finish of those pricey buds. Also, their noise-cancelling isn't up to the QC Ultra's best-in-class ANC standard. But it's still effective and better than the noise-cancelling I experienced with previous Skullcandy earbuds I've tested. One drawback I should note is that their case is fairly bulky. It wasn't a deal-breaker for me, but most cases are about half the size. Also, I felt that their voice-calling performance could be a little better. But aside from those caveats, it's safe to say these buds are a very good value, especially at their new low price of $76. Enlarge Image Testing the buds in the streets of New York. David Carnoy/CNET Skullcandy Method 360 ANC key specs Sound By Bose technology Battery Life: Up to 40 hours ANC off (11 in buds, 29 in case); up to 32 hours with ANC on (9 in buds, 23 in case) Noise-isolating, ergonomic fit: 3 different size pairs of fit fins and three sets of ear gels, leveraging licensed technology from Bose Adjustable 4-mic hybrid active noise canceling (2 mics per bud) ƒwith customizable Stay-Aware mode Low latency audio Wear detection sensors IPX4 sweat and water-resistant (splash-proof) Skull-iQ App compatible: Choose one of 3 preset EQ settings or customize your own, reconfigure the button functions, adjust your Stay-Aware or ANC modes and more Rapid charge: A 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of playtime Clear Voice smart mic helps isolate your voice and reduce background noise during calls Spotify Tap compatible Google Fast Pair Multipoint Bluetooth Pairing: Pair two devices simultaneously for easy switching Voice sidetone for calls (hear your voice in the earbuds during calls) Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio Five color options: Black, bone, primer, plasma and leopard Price: $100 ($76 for Prime Day) Watch this: Skullcandy's New Method 360 ANC Are $100 Bose Earbuds in Disguise 00:42 Best Prime Day Headphones Deals Prime Day means you don't have to pay full price for a great pair of headphones. Whether you prefer earbuds, headphones or something in between we've got Prime Day headphone deals for you. See Now Why this deal matters There are lots of earbuds to choose from but you usually have to pay upwards of $150-$250 for a pair of premium earbuds. While you can argue over what constitutes a premium model, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC has a lot of the traits of a premium model but costs significantly less.
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
My job is literally listening to music — here are the 5 best lowest-ever Prime Day earbud deals from Apple, Bose, and Sony
We're tracking the best Prime Day deals live to make your life easier. We've got deals on everything from TVs to air fryers to laptops. However, I only really care about a few products, and that includes earbuds. As a professional earbud reviewer (yes, it's a real job), I sometimes end up listening to music for upwards of 12 hours a day. I listen to everything from metal to ambient electronic to acoustic to test the best earbuds. So what is the best earbuds deal right now? Well, I can't lie to you — there are loads. In fact, every single earbud on this list is at its lowest ever price. But personally? I think it's the Apple AirPods Pro 2, $149 on Amazon. $149 is the AirPods Pro 2's best price ever. These are my personal earbuds that I always end up crawling back to — for better or for worse. If you want a rundown of the best Prime Day earbuds deals, keep scrolling! I could spend the rest of my life waxing lyrical about the AirPods Pro 2. I'm wearing mine as I type this. Honestly, I wear these for at least 6 hours a day — every day — and sometimes up to 14. I've had these earbuds in since 7.30 this morning (it's 6pm as I'm typing this), and they have never once ached. Besides being super comfortable, the AirPods Pro 2 sound utterly fantastic. Bass is loud and infectious, but not at the expense of detailed treble. Everything from heavy Nirvana tracks to bouncy house music sounds awesome through these earbuds. Nothing can pry my cold, dead hands from my AirPods. Now, I tested these earbuds last month and I can't stop thinking about them. I didn't have high hopes, I'm not going to lie. Skullcandy isn't exactly renowned for its audio prowess in the sound world. However, the noughties emo brand collaborated with Bose for the new Method 360 ANC earbuds. I awarded them an impressive 4 stars in my review, and they only missed out on the top score due to the bulky charging case and the occasional connection lag. If you want to reminisce about the simpler times of the mid-noughties in style, then the Method 360 ANC earbuds are for you. My colleague Nikita reviewed these earbuds. She sits next to me in the office, so I tried them out too — and I was so impressed. In her 4-star review of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds, Nikita praised the premium design, incredible sound quality, and unmatched ANC. Bose is known for fantastic ANC, and the QuietComforts are no different. Why do you think they're named "QuietComfort"? Nikita said the ANC was so good that she felt lonely, which is exactly what you want if you're looking for uber-powerful ANC. If you regularly take public transport or live in a noisy city, these are the earbuds for you. EarFun is a budget brand, so don't go thinking that these have sound quality to rival Apple or Bose. Of course you won't get mind-blowing sound quality for just $55, but these earbuds are excellent for the price. My colleague Nikita reviewed the EarFun Air Pro 4s and gave them a huge 4.5-star rating. She loved the audiophile-on-a-budget sound quality, premium features like wear detection, and the impressive 40+ hour battery life. These are the buds for you if you're on a budget. I've tested other EarFun earbuds and they perform way above their price. Again, my colleague Nikita reviewed these earbuds. We sit next to each other though, so everything she tries, I try too. These Sony WF-C710N earbuds received a coveted 4.5 star rating in their review. Nikita said they performed like Bose earbuds for much cheaper, and this new sale price is almost too good to be true. The Sony WF-C710N earbuds are perfect if you want supreme sound quality, but not if you need premium Bluetooth codecs like LDAC. These are probably some of the best bang-for-buck earbuds out there. Don't forget to check out our Prime Day live blog for the best deals, and all the stuff you can get for free on Amazon this Prime Day.
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Skullcandy and Bose joined together to make some epic affordable earbuds — and now they've got a new lowest price in the Prime Day sales
As Prime Day 2025 rounds the corner at concerning speed, there are already some early deals to whet your appetite. One of my favorites so far is this one on the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds, my surprise buds of 2025. You can currently save $30 on the earbuds at Amazon, which brings them down to $99. That's their first discount ever, giving them a de facto lowest price ever as a result. Just be quick, looks like they're selling fast. Skullcandy and Bose linked up for this surprise Feat., and the result is a pretty special pair of buds for a great price. They earned 4 stars in our review, thanks to solid noise canceling and very good sound for the price. The case might be a bit bulky, but you'll find plenty to love with a comfortable fit and slick style. This is their first discount since release, and it brings them down under $100. I have but two words for you that will either instantly sell the Method 360, or put you off them entirely: Leopard print. If that's not a statement of intent, then I don't know what is — it really nails the buds style to the mast, and I think it's great. While I didn't get to test the leopard print version of the buds, I did get to play with the white ones, and I really enjoyed myself. They've got that familiar bassy tone that you might expect from something with a Skullcandy logo on it, but they also have more detail and better mid-range response thanks to their Bose tuning. They've got a similar design to Bose's best noise-canceling earbuds as well, with familiar eartips and fitting wings. That makes them very comfortable, so you can wear them for longer periods. The case is perhaps the weakest link. It looks cool enough, but it is big. It's designed to swing off a bag or your baggy pants, but it does make it harder to cart around for those of us who like to house our earbuds in our pockets. Battery life is good, though, and so is the ANC for something at this price. If you're a fan of leopard print or want something a little different to slip into your pocket this Prime Day, these might just be the buds for you.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I just tested these Skullcandy x Bose earbuds, and my 2008 emo heart is happy
Some of the best earbuds are sleek and inconspicuous. The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds — made in collaboration with high-fidelity brand Bose — are not one of them. The Method 360 ANC earbuds are slap-you-in-the-face nostalgia, complete with a carrying case destined for low-slung skater pants. Besides being a blast from the past, the Method 360 ANC earbuds really benefit from this Bose sound. The bass is pumping, loud enough to be destined for the sticky dancefloors of yore. Don't think the bass overpowers detail, though — not at all. With a little EQ tweak, these earbuds can provide both electric bass and sharp detail. While they have a few connectivity annoyances, for just $129, these earbuds are most definitely underpriced. I'd get them now before Skullcandy realises and bumps up the cost. I'll discuss everything in extensive detail in this Skullcandy Method 360 ANC review. Price $129 / £99 Connectivity Bluetooth 5.3 ANC Yes Durability IPX4 Battery 9/32 hours (ANC) 11/40 hours (No ANC) Weight 2.7 ounces Drivers 12mm Dimensions 3.5 x 1.9 x 2 inches Colors Black, white, red, beige, leopard Compatibility iOS, Android The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds are extremely cheap considering their sound quality: just $129 from Amazon U.S. and £99 from Amazon U.K.. This makes them some of the cheapest earbuds I've tested, but oh boy, they do not sound like it. They're miles better than the $129 Soundcore Liberty 5 and not even in the same ballpark as the relatively impressive $99 EarFun Air Pro 4. I was actually gobsmacked when I found out how affordable these earbuds are. As I wrote above, the sound quality performs like earbuds double the price, if you can overlook the semi-cheugy design. At $129, they're the priciest earbuds on Skullcandy's roster (the Sesh and Rail buds are $69), but still very cheap when compared to rivals. Complete with a carabiner ring, these Skullcandy earbuds are destined to be clipped to low-slung skater pants. Their home is a belt loop inhabited by a chain belt and the waistband of boxers that've seen better days. If you're wearing the Method 360 ANC earbuds and not listening to Limp Bizkit, what are you doing? As someone who grew up on Fred Durst & crew, coloring my entire eyelid with a crumbly black pencil, and spending my allowance on spiky jelly earrings and fingerless gloves, the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds remind me of that simpler time. I think for me, the design of these buds is incredibly nostalgic and comforting, but for others, the design could be a major con. On the side of each bud is a cute little skull (Skullcandy's logo, of course), which matches the logo on the charging case itself. The earbuds are a little big, so if you have super small ears, I'd recommend something dinkier like the AirPods 4. My ears err on the side of small and they were a little snug, but not uncomfortable. I switched out the ear tips for the smallest size, which helped with the snugness. Now, the charging case. Probably the Method 360 ANC's most… unique feature. Some people might love this case, and others might hate it. I'm somewhere in the middle. I am prone to losing things — I sewed a pouch on the inside of my bag to prevent misplacing my AirPods — so for other absentminded folk, this overly large case could be a breath of fresh air. For others, however, it's bulky and counterintuitive. Our Audio Editor, Tammy, was not a fan of the bulk. The case is a pretty massive 3.5 inches long, which is easy to find in a bag, but also not possible to fit in a pocket. Unless you've got super baggy skater pants, of course. While controls have been an issue with other budget earbuds I've tried in the past, I had no headaches with the Method 360 ANC. I was able to customize my controls completely in the Skull-IQ app, including adding a volume control. Although most of the Method 360 ANC's features are excellent, I'm going to discuss my one issue first. As with other non-native gear, I found the earbuds a little annoying to switch between devices, even after setting up multi-point connectivity. When I removed the earbuds and did something else for a few minutes, once I put the earbuds back in, they didn't connect to my laptop or phone. I had to return the buds to the charging case, and then reinsert them. This is a little annoying, I suppose, but I also assume you're supposed to return the earbuds to the charging case after taking them out every time anyway. Another minor annoyance is the lack of single-ear wear detection. Skullcandy claims that the Method 360 ANC have wear detection, and that's only half accurate. Yes, if you take out one earbud, that earbud pauses. But the other one doesn't. Only the removed earbud pauses, which is kind of pointless. My AirPods pause my music entirely when I remove one earbud. While this isn't unheard of for $129/£99 earbuds, I'd like to see this as a toggleable feature on future versions. Now that's out of the way, I'll discuss everything I do like about the Skullcandy Method 360 ANCs. Firstly, these earbuds have IPX4, which means they'll be able to withstand mild water like gentle rain or sweat. However, they're not completely waterproof so don't go dunking them in the sink. Other cheaper earbuds have IPX5, like the EarFun Air 2 ($49) and EarFun Air 2 NC ($69), but this is really a negligible difference. The ANC is very good; I couldn't hear any street noise or ambient office sounds like typing and talking. There are 'Stay aware on', 'Stay aware off', and 'ANC'. I wish Stay aware was a little more, well, aware. When I tried to have a conversation with this ANC mode, I couldn't hear properly and had to remove the earbuds. Finally, there's a range of features in the app, like EQ customization Spotify Tap. Spotify Tap — hold down a touch control to launch Spotify and pick up where you last left off — is a great feature in a pinch, but I found myself gravitating towards manually selecting music myself. Also, of course, this won't work with Tidal, Apple Music or the like. There's also a pretty bizarre feature: Take a Photo. This feature allows you to transform the earbuds into a remote control for your phone's camera. I have no wish to do this so never made use of it, but I suppose it's a good option to have… maybe. As the Method 360 ANC earbuds are made in collaboration with Bose, I had high hopes about the music quality. And, thankfully, I was not disappointed at all. To test the Method 360 ANC earbuds, I listened to a wide variety of music on Qobuz, our best streaming service for audiophiles. Right off the bat, I could tell that these earbuds were very bassy. I fiddled with the EQ settings in the SkullcandyIQ app, and reduced the low end and increased the mids to counteract this. Of course, if you love bass, then this step is unnecessary, but I wanted to get the most detail out of my music as possible. I listened to 'Fallen Alien' by FKA Twigs, which is an atmospheric, layered track with immersive percussion and almost cinematic synths. The choral sections were clear and seemed to surround my ears. I could hear every piece of audio detail, from the inflections in the lead vocal to the discordant bass and mids. The $129 earbuds did a fantastic job of both separating the instruments and detail, and also making the track sound harmonious. Afterwards, I switched genre. I played '3AM (LA LA LA)' by Confidence Man, a track with an all-consuming, heady '90s synth and pulsing bass. The bass was insistent and strong, although there was a little tinniness in the mids. To fix this, I adjusted the EQ ever so slightly. This made the kick drum crackle a touch, but really not bad considering these are $129 earbuds. To give the earbuds a thorough test, I wanted to play something really gritty and gristly. I opted for 'Endless, Nameless' by Nirvana, because what else? The bass growled in my left ear and the lead guitar screeched in my right. Neither instrument clipped or warped, and I could feel the raw vocal in my eardrums. I'm sure you already know, but 'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish has a really intimate, breathy vocal, where Billie's voice feels like it's right next to you. None of this detail was lost on the Method 360 ANC earbuds, and I could hear all the layers of bass that are often lost on inferior earbuds. Where the Method 360 ANC earbuds excel is, of course, bass, but that doesn't mean they lack detail. I was never left longing for missed detail, and I could discern multiple layers of instruments in quite immersive tracks. To test the Method 360 ANC earbuds, I tested them out on a work call. The earbuds have 2 mics within each earbud, so 4 overall, and Skullcandy's 'Clear Voice Smart Mic', which is described as an 'AI-enabled' feature that isolates voices. My colleagues reported that I sounded crisp and clear, very similar to how I sound when I wear my usual AirPods Pro 2. I think for just $129/£99, this is an incredibly affordable way to get excellent call quality. Unlike the Skullcandy Crusher Evo headphones ($199), which use the Skullcandy app, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are compatible with the Skull-ID app. This app is very pleasant to use: it has an attractive UI and it's easy to navigate. There's an easily accessible range of features on the homepage, including firmware updates. Here's a screenshot from the app. The Skull-ID app is one of the better budget companion apps. It's more modern than the JBL app, but not as unique as the Soundcore app. With ANC off, the Method 360 ANC earbuds will play for 11 hours, and then an extra 29 with the case, so 40 hours overall. With ANC off, the battery life reduces to 9 hours in the buds and another 24 in the case, so 33 hours overall. In reality, I found that the battery was a little better than this. After listening for 5 hours, the earbuds only dropped to 75% battery. This battery life is the same as the EarFun Air Pro 4 ($99). While the Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds are supposed to have 8 hours in the buds, in reality this was more like 5 hours. As a result, the Method 360 ANC earbuds are more reliable than the Soundcore offering. Considering the Method 360 ANC earbuds are just $129, I think they're absolutely fantastic. Obviously they're not perfect — hence the 4-star rating — but they perform well above their price tag. On top of having thrumming, powerful Bose bass, the earbuds are capable of translating precise audio detail, too. Softer, airy vocals and high-frequency sound effects were still audible, and only improved by my custom EQ. I think Skullcandy has absolutely nailed the sound quality here, and for just $129? It's a steal. If you can look past the slight connectivity issues and overly large charging case, then there's no reason why the Skullcandy Method 360 ANC earbuds can't be some of the best value wireless earbuds on the market today.
Tom's Guide
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I just tested these $99 noise canceling earbuds with Bose tech — and they're shockingly good
I was 12 when I tried my first pair of Skullcandy earbuds. It was on the bus, and I'd been handed the left bud so that a friend and I could both listen to System of a Down. It was a short experience, but one that left me with a pair of profound realizations — first, that Prison Song is sick. Second, that Skullcandy wasn't very good. So imagine my shock when it was announced that Skullcandy was working with Bose, of all companies, to launch a new pair of earbuds. Imagine further my continued shock and sudden elation when I discovered that the Method 360 ANC are actually really, really good. Like, best cheap wireless earbuds good. The Skullcandy Method 360 ANC are a collaboration with Bose and Skullcandy. That means excellent sound quality, great noise canceling, and a very comfortable fit. All for under $100 at the moment — not bad at all. When I first pulled the Method 360 from their enormous charging case, I was immediately taken. They look like an edgier version of Bose's QuietComfort line of earbuds, all the way down to the silicone wings that help keep them firmly in your ears. Slipping them into my earholes, I found a particularly comfortable fit, as I often have with the similarly shaped Bose options. The fitting options are plenty, and the shape is ergonomic. Lovely. A far cry from the traditional cheap, slightly uncomfortable Skullcandy fare that I've sampled before. Bose's fingerprints are all over the buds and the software experience. The touch controls mirror the QuietComfort line, and even the new 'Skull IQ' app looks an awful lot like the Bose app that controls its headphones and speakers. This is Skullcandy, the funky little logo on the side of the case makes sure we're aware — but not as we know it. I am resigned to the fact that headphone and earbud apps are now a necessity in our modern, smart device culture. I ask only three things: That these apps be powerful, easy to use, and not a big waste of megabytes on my phone's storage. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. The Skull-iQ app is pretty much all these things. It's very simply laid out, with all the options available on the front page. There are no silly names for things like the EQ or multipoint pairing, although I do wish that 'Hearing Modes' was called noise canceling. There are plenty of features in the app, too, although some might lament a lack of spatial audio. I do not — they're $129 ($99 on sale), and when given the choice between ANC and spatial audio, I'll always choose the former. The EQ is one of the best features inside the app. Some cheaper buds don't have the same feature in their own apps, and it's nice to be able to dial in the sound beyond 'would you like some more bass, ma'am?' Sony's WF-C710N buds have noise canceling, and they're very good at it. They cost $120. 1More buds have good noise canceling, and they cost around $80. My Final ZE3000 SV have good noise canceling, and they cost just $69. None of them can hold a candle to the Bose-tuned ANC of the Method 360. I can't tell you it's as good as the QuietComfort Ultra, or the WF-1000XM5. It's not. But, for $129, you aren't going to find any better. It blocks out any environmental noise with relative ease, silencing bus and train journeys so that you can enjoy your music without being interrupted by the soccer fans that you're sharing a coach with. Transparency mode is similarly solid, letting everything in that you want to hear without making it sound like the auditory version of the uncanny valley. Despite their annoying 'Hearing mode' moniker, the ANC and transparency modes are best in class. For the rest of the package, it means a Bose-like shape and app — for the sound things get more involved. Apparently, the Method 360 ANC use Bose's drivers for the sound, which are then molded by both Skullcandy and Bose for a heavier, jaw-shaking Skullcandy signature tone. The result is loads and loads of fun. There's plenty of the low stuff, as you'd imagine. But Skullcandy hasn't just taken the Bose drivers, worked out how much bass they can produce, made them do it, and then called it a day. There's more control than I was expecting, and even some restraint when it comes to bass that is uncharacteristic of the brand. Look, they're still bassy. The kick drums of Bloodbath's Zombie Inferno hit like a rotting freight train, and the sub-bass of K Motionz' Silver Bullet shakes the back of your skull. This is still Skullcandy, and the buds make sure you know it. But there's more detail than most offerings at this price, producing a fairly well-balanced sound signature that even more expensive buds might glance at and realize they're not as safe as they thought they were. Hi-hats and cymbals have plenty of crash, with lots of resolution to be found. Are they HiFi? No, very few things that are wireless at this price are. But they very quickly made me forget that they were under $150, and they even managed to make me forget that they were a Skullcandy product. The charging case is too big. I think it's supposed to be attached to your bag with the lanyard keychain strap thing, but then someone is just going to steal them while you walk around. It's too big for most pockets thanks to its weird design, and the opening mechanism doesn't feel like it's going to last all that long. Thankfully, Skullcandy fixed the deafening announcement voice, who damn near made me drop my phone the first time I connected them. All in all, though? That's pretty much it, which is remarkable for a pair of buds that cost as little as the Method 360 ANC.
