Skullcandy teamed up with Bose to bring premium, hi-fidelity audio to the Method earbud family — and the result is two of the best true wireless earbuds available under $150. The Method 360 ANC and Method 540 ANC both deliver Sound by Bose, adjustable active noise canceling, and Skullcandy's signature clip-anywhere case design. Here's everything you need to know about what makes them different, and which one is right for you. 

WHAT IS SOUND BY BOSE? 

Sound by Bose means every element of the listening experience — from the ear gels to the audio architecture — was tuned in partnership with Bose to deliver hi-fidelity sound defined by clarity and depth of range. This isn't a marketing badge. It represents a co-engineered acoustic experience where Bose's expertise in audio performance meets Skullcandy's style and accessible price point. 

The result is premium sound that was previously exclusive to products costing $250 or more, now available at $129.99 and $149.99. Both Method earbuds deliver the same Bose-tuned audio experience — no compromises, just great sound. 

THE METHOD FAMILY: TWO PAIRS OF EARBUDS, ONE MISSION 

The Method 360 ANC and Method 540 ANC share the same DNA: Sound by Bose, a clip-anywhere case built to go everywhere, adjustable 4-mic hybrid ANC, and a full feature set designed for active, on-the-go listeners. The 540 builds on the 360 with a slimmer, more refined case design and Skull AI voice assistant compatibility, making it the more tech-forward option of the two. 

METHOD 360 ANC: PREMIUM SOUND AND STYLE AT $129.99 

The Method 360 ANC is Skullcandy's entry point into the Sound by Bose experience. It delivers best-in-class audio for less, wrapped in the brand's iconic clip-anywhere case that attaches to a bag, belt loop, or lanyard without a second thought. 

KEY FEATURES OF THE METHOD 360 ANC: 

Sound by Bose with expertly tuned audio, adjustable 4-mic hybrid active noise canceling, Clear Voice Smart Mic for crystal clear calls, adjustable Stay-Aware Mode, 3 preset EQ modes plus 1 custom EQ mode (Music, Bass Boost, and Podcast), Skullcandy App compatibility for full customization, Multipoint Pairing for simultaneous connection to two devices, Wear Detection for auto pause and play, Google Fast Pair, Spotify Tap, Low Latency Audio, solo bud use, and IPX4 sweat and water resistance. 

BATTERY: Up to 9 hours in the earbuds and 23 hours in the case for 32 total hours with ANC on. Rapid Charge delivers 2 hours of playtime from just 10 minutes of charging. 

WHO IT'S FOR: The Method 360 ANC is built for listeners who want best-in-class Bose audio at the most accessible price point in the Method family. It's the right pick for commuters, students, and everyday listeners who want ANC and premium sound without stepping up to $150. 

METHOD 540 ANC: COMPACT, CLEVER, AND SKULL AI READY AT $149.99 

The Method 540 ANC takes everything that makes the 360 great and upgrades the experience with a dramatically sleeker case design and Skull AI voice assistant compatibility — making it the smartest earbud Skullcandy has ever made. 

The new case is 35% smaller than the Method 360 ANC, with tighter fluting that fits clearly in the Method family's aesthetic, stronger magnetic closure that feels like a high-end automotive interior, and a new bud positioning that reduces the overall footprint without sacrificing intuitiveness. It's a fashion tech accessory disguised as a pair of earbuds. 

KEY FEATURES OF THE METHOD 540 ANC: 

Everything in the Method 360 ANC, plus Skull AI voice assistant compatibility, a streamlined clip-anywhere case 35% smaller than the 360, stronger magnetic case closure for a premium feel, LE Audio enabled for next-generation Bluetooth performance, and full Skullcandy App compatibility. 

BATTERY: Up to 9 hours in the earbuds and 23 hours in the case for 32 total hours with ANC on, and up to 40 total hours with ANC off. Rapid Charge delivers 2 hours from a 10-minute charge. 

WHO IT'S FOR: The Method 540 ANC is built for tech early adopters, active youth, and anyone who wants the full Method experience with the added convenience of a hands-free AI assistant and the most portable case in the lineup. 

WHAT IS SKULL AI? 

Skull AI is Skullcandy's voice-enabled AI assistant, built into the Method 540 ANC. Powered by Bragi with OpenAI, Skull AI lets you ask anything, control everything, completely hands-free. Just say "OK, Skully" and your earbuds spring into action. 

You can ask Skull AI anything you'd ask ChatGPT — local restaurant recommendations, weather updates, general knowledge questions, and more. You can also use it for all standard earbud controls like adjusting volume, skipping tracks, and managing calls, all without touching your phone. 

Skull AI converts your voice to text and processes it through ChatGPT, with chat history available in the Skullcandy app. It's available free for a limited time through the Skullcandy app, then available as a paid subscription at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. It can also be disabled in the app if preferred. 

METHOD 360 ANC VS METHOD 540 ANC: SIDE BY SIDE 

HOW THE METHOD 540 ANC STACKS UP AGAINST THE COMPETITION 

At $149.99, the Method 540 ANC competes directly with the JBL Tune 230NC ($99.99), JBL Tune Flex ($99.95), and Soundcore Liberty 4 NC ($99.99). While competitors offer similar ANC and battery specs at a lower price, only the Method 540 ANC delivers Sound by Bose audio tuning, Skull AI hands-free voice assistant compatibility, Wear Detection, adjustable Stay-Aware Mode, Spotify Tap, and customizable button functions — a feature set that justifies the premium and sets it apart in the category. 

THE BOTTOM LINE 

Both the Method 360 ANC and Method 540 ANC represent something genuinely new: Bose-level audio at a price that doesn't require a compromise. Whether you go with the 360 for exceptional value or step up to the 540 for Skull AI and a sleeker case, you're getting premium hi-fidelity sound, adjustable ANC, and a design built for wherever life takes you. 

Shop the Method family at skullcandy.com/collections/sound-by-bose