Skullcandy make colorful, budget-friendly headphones for casual listening, sports, and gaming. They offer wired and wireless in-ear, on-ear, and over-ear models. The brand is best known for bass-heavy sound, flashy designs, and features like haptic bass on select models. Some models also support EQ presets and app-based sound customization. However, Skullcandy aren't usually the strongest choice if you want premium build quality, a neutral sound profile, or top-tier active noise cancelling (ANC).
We've bought and tested over 25 pairs of Skullcandy headphones. When shopping for a pair of headphones, it's worth paying attention to fit, battery life, app support, durability, and whether you want extra bass or a more balanced sound.
Updates
- 09/10/2026Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC reviewed
- 05/30/2024Skullcandy Crusher Evo Wireless updated
- 12/22/2023Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless updated
- 12/14/2023Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless reviewed
- 09/29/2023Skullcandy Smokin' Buds/Buds XT True Wireless reviewed
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You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Skullcandy Earbuds
Neutral SoundCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingWired GamingPhone CallsType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:YesThe Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the best Skullcandy headphones we've tested. They're especially good if you want earbuds that stay put during workouts. Their ear hooks provide excellent stability, their fit is comfortable, and they're resistant to dust and water. They prioritize stability over noise isolation, so they're a better fit for exercise than commuting or travel since they don't block out much noise. Still, their bass-heavy sound adds extra thump and rumble to your techno tunes, which can be fun for pump-up playlists at the gym, and you can always adjust the sound with an in-app graphic EQ and presets. The app also supports voice controls.
The buds have a continuous battery life of over nine hours, and their carrying case holds roughly 3.4 additional charges. Unfortunately, they lack active noise cancelling (ANC) and do a mediocre job blocking background noise, like the low rumble of bus and plane engines. You may find this a benefit if you want to stay aware of your surroundings, like when you're on a run on busy city streets. But if ANC is important to you, consider the Skullcandy Sesh ANC True Wireless, which have excellent noise isolation. They lack the Push Active's stability hooks, though, and aren't quite as comfortable.
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Best Cheap Skullcandy Earbuds
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)Frequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Slightly Emphasized (2 dB)Treble Amount:Balanced (0 dB)Sound Signature:WarmType:In-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:Truly WirelessNoise Cancelling:NoSee all our test resultsMic:YesIf you're looking for more affordable buds, the Skullcandy Dime 3 True Wireless are the best cheap Skullcandy earbuds we've tested and a great pair of AirPods alternatives. They're lightweight and stable enough for everyday use, but you give up the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless' ear hooks and stronger resistance to dust and water. The peekaboo lid on the Dime 3's case also exposes the buds more than is ideal. That said, the earbuds have an IPX4 rating for water resistance, and they're cheap enough to keep as a spare set when you don't want to risk your premium headphones.
That said, the Dime 3 only passively block noise, so you'll still hear the low-pitched rumble of a bus engine, but the isolation helps to muffle chatty neighbors on your commute. The Dime 3 also don't have app support, so you can't customize their sound to your liking. That said, you can switch between three preset EQs via the on-ear controls, and their default slightly warm sound suits most audio types right out of the box, so you don't need to change presets unless you prefer a different sound. But if you want a higher IP rating and app support, the Skullcandy Push Active True Wireless are the pair to choose.
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Best Noise Cancelling Skullcandy Headphones
Sports And FitnessTravelOffice WorkWireless Gaming (In Development)Wired Gaming (In Development)Audio Reproduction AccuracyNoise IsolationMicrophone (In Development)Frequency Response ConsistencyBass Amount:Very Emphasized (7 dB)Treble Amount:Slightly Emphasized (1 dB)Sound Signature:Boosted BassType:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:YesNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesIf you're looking for over-ears, then the Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC are the best noise cancelling Skullcandy headphones we've tested. Their ANC provides great noise isolation, doing an impressive job blocking out everything from train engine rumble to passenger chit-chat. And since they also last over 60 hours with ANC on, you won't need to charge them often. They're comfortable, but their heavy, bulky design can get fatiguing during long listening sessions.
These over-ears lean heavily into Skullcandy's traditional bass-heavy sound. Kick drums and basslines feel warm and thumpy, which fans of techno may appreciate, but all the extra bass can make voices and mid-range instruments like guitars sound muddy. But if you're a true bass-head, you can add even more rumble with a dedicated wheel or use the companion app's 5-band EQ and presets to adjust the sound. These headphones also support two-device Bluetooth pairing and both analog and USB-C audio connections, giving you plenty of ways to connect to them.
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Best Budget Noise Cancelling Skullcandy Headphones
Neutral SoundCommute/TravelSports/FitnessOfficeWireless GamingWired GamingPhone CallsType:Over-earEnclosure:Closed-BackWireless:YesNoise Cancelling:YesSee all our test resultsMic:YesSearching for Skullcandy over-ears but want to spend a little less? The Skullcandy Hesh ANC Wireless are the best budget Skullcandy headphones we've tested. Like the Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC, the Hesh ANC come with ANC that helps block out mid-range sounds like office chatter and A/C hum. That said, these cheaper headphones can't compete with the Crusher 1080 ANC when it comes to bass-range sounds, so you may still hear a fair amount of engine noise on your next train ride with these. Still, the Hesh ANC are decently comfortable, and their design is lighter than the Crusher 1080 ANC, making them easier to wear for long periods.
The Hesh ANC last around 24 hours continuously and support passive playback over their analog cable if the battery dies. They offer a V-shaped sound that boosts the bass and treble, so kick drums feel full and punchy, while sounds like hi-hats are still clear and present in the mix. Unfortunately, there's no companion app on offer here, so you can't customize their sound.
Compared To Other Brands
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Colorful designs.
Skullcandy offers some of the most colorful headphones on the market. If you like to match your tech accessories to your outfits, they tend to have several color schemes for each model, including two- or three-tone variants and camo/military color schemes.
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Good headphone variety.
Although we haven't tested Skullcandy's full lineup, they offer many models for different uses. While they don't have any audiophile headphones, the variety is still quite good, especially considering their price range.
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Plasticky build quality.
Most of Skullcandy's headphones are pretty affordable. That affordability often comes with somewhat plasticky build quality. Some models feel sturdier than similarly cheap alternatives, but durability is inconsistent across Skullcandy's lineup.
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Limited companion app support.
While some of their higher-end products support app-based EQ customization, button remapping, and status updates like battery life and volume, lower-end models tend to lack app support. On the upside, a few of these app-less headphones may have built-in sound features instead, like EQ presets or bass sliders to give you some control over their sound.
Skullcandy vs Anker
Anker and Skullcandy are both well-known in the budget-friendly to mid-price range for their bassy in-ears and over-ears. Anker's product range delivers a wider array of features like multi-device pairing, Hi-Res Audio support, and LDAC. Some of their headphones also have powerful noise cancelling, which rivals higher-end brands, but don't expect the same flashy look or graphic collaborations as Skullcandy. That said, Skullcandy's over-ear headphones tend to feel slightly more durable than Anker's, although Anker earbuds often have a better finish.
Skullcandy vs JBL
If you've been looking for affordable headphones, you've probably come across JBL alongside Skullcandy. JBL's lineup offers more diverse options for sports, casual use, and traveling. JBL's lineup is extensive, so if you want more or less bass, you're more likely to find a tuning that suits your tastes. Most have a companion app with a parametric EQ and presets, so they also tend to offer more robust sound customization features. You may still prefer Skullcandy's (mostly) bass-heavy sound, especially for genres like EDM or hip-hop, and select models have EQ. Skullcandy still has the edge if you want flashier, more colorful designs.
Skullcandy vs Beats
Beats and Skullcandy were founded around the same time, and both frequently feature vibrant designs geared towards casual listeners and regulars at the gym. While Beats, like Skullcandy, have traditionally been associated with bass-heavy sound profiles, they've added more balanced tuning to select models alongside features that make pairing and switching between Apple devices more seamless. Beats' collection is smaller, and each one is usually priced higher than comparable Skullcandy headphones. Most Beats support device tracking through Apple's ecosystem, while select Skullcandy models offer similar tracking. Lower-priced Beats often lack EQ, but many budget-friendly wireless Skullcandy models have at least basic preset EQs.
Overall, Skullcandy deliver a decent variety of fashion-forward headphones that come in many unique colors to match your style. They have sports and gaming headphones at an affordable price, too. Unfortunately, they don't have the best build quality. Their sound isn't the most balanced either, since most of their headphones favor a bass-heavy audio reproduction, which can polarize listeners. Their Bluetooth models also don't tend to support high-quality codecs, but multi-device pairing is available on models at different tiers.
Lineup
Skullcandy have a specific name for each model they release, so it can be unclear how their headphones are categorized. Sometimes, feature-specific variants of that model are available. We consider these variants (and their base model) to constitute a lineup for this brand. This includes the following:
- Crusher: Wireless over-ears with a bass-heavy sound.
- Hesh: Wireless over-ears.
- SLYR: Wired over-ear gaming headsets.
- PLYR: Wireless over-ear gaming headsets.
- Grind: Truly wireless in-ears with hands-free voice controls.
- Icon: Wireless on-ears with some water resistance.
- Indy: Truly wireless in-ears with a stem design and non-detachable stability fins.
- Push: Truly wireless in-ears with ear hooks.
- Sesh: Truly wireless in-ears. They have a simple design and don't have companion app support.
Within these lineups, headphones come in feature-specific variations or colorways. Brand collaborations that impact design tend to be included in the headphones' name, like the Doritos Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds. Following the lineup name, feature-related variants are denoted by the following:
- Active: Sports-oriented models with better stability.
- ANC: Supports ANC.
- Evo: Base model.
- Fuel: Case supports Qi wireless charging.
- Transparency: Transparent design.
- Ultra: Discontinued line. Models tend to have better battery performance, faster charging, better dust and water resistance, app support, and device tracking.
In addition, a handful of standalone models are or have been available from this manufacturer:
- Aviator: Premium wireless over-ears with ANC.
- Dime: Cheap, truly wireless in-ears with a very simple design.
- Ink'd: Wired in-ears.
- Mod: Wireless in-ears with many customization features.
- Riff: Wireless on-ear headphones.
- Spoke: Discontinued cheap truly wireless in-ears. They don't have any extra features.
- Venue: Discontinued wireless noise cancelling over-ears that support multi-device pairing.
Recent Updates
Sep 30, 2026:
The Skullcandy Crusher 1080 ANC are our new 'Best Noise Cancelling' pick, with the Skullcandy Hesh ANC becoming the budget pick.
Jun 30, 2026:
We've checked that all our picks are accurate and in stock.
Apr 07, 2026:
We've kept our picks the same in this article, but have updated the Lineup section with new Skullcandy models that we've yet to test.
Jan 05, 2026:
We edited this text to bring it into line with changes made as part of Test Bench 2.0, but haven't changed our picks.
May 23, 2025:
We've made minor updates to the text to improve accuracy and clarity but there hasn't been a change in our recommendations.
Conclusion
Skullcandy have expanded their style from flashy colors and prominent logos to include models with subdued colors and subtle logos. There's a large selection of headphones for casual listening, sports, and gaming, but a lack of models geared toward audiophiles. Unfortunately, it's not always the ideal brand for those seeking a more neutral frequency response since most of their headphones favor a bass-heavy sound profile, although select models buck the trend. Their durability seems inconsistent, with some models benefiting from sturdy designs and others feeling plasticky. On the upside, many of their headphones are relatively affordable.