The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are passable mixed usage wireless headphones that have an excited V-shaped sound profile that won't be for everyone. They have a lightweight design, an easy-to-use control scheme, and a decently comfortable fit, though some may find them a bit tight. This makes them stable enough to take to the gym although they won't be the most breathable headphones. Unfortunately, they don't block out much ambient noise. On the upside, most people should be satisfied with their 19-hour battery life.
Our Verdict
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are okay mixed-usage headphones. They have a good battery and are decently comfortable, but their excited V-shaped sound profile won't be for everyone. Unfortunately, they also have a plasticky and cheap build quality that doesn't feel as durable as other headphones in their price range, and they're quite tight on larger heads. While their fit is tight, they don't block much ambient noise and won't be suitable for commuting. Overall, they're somewhat versatile headphones but don't excel at any particular use.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre when it comes to having a neutral sound. They have a V-shaped sound profile that has a lot of bass and pronounced highs which makes them sound excited. Unfortunately, this also means the bass slightly overshadows instruments and vocals making the sound feel a bit boomy and overly bass-heavy, which won't be ideal for more neutral listeners. They also have a fairly small soundstage, since they're closed-back over-ear headphones.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Can be overly bass-heavy for some.
- Bass and treble delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
- Small and unatural soundstage.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are just okay for commuting. They're lightweight, easy-to-use, and decently portable but unfortunately, they don't block a lot of noise so they won't be ideal if you have a very noisy commute. On the upside, they have a good battery life that should last you long enough for very long flights.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are somewhat decent for sports. They're relatively lightweight and tight enough to stay on your head when jogging. However, they get fairly warm during physical activity which isn't ideal. They also aren't the easiest to bring around, but their wireless design is great for reducing snagging hazards.
- Tight and stable design.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Not breathable.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre for office use. Their noise isolation performance isn't the best and they won't block out nearby chatty coworkers. They also leak quite a bit, so people around you might be able to hear what you're listening to. On the upside, their 19-hour battery life should be more than enough for a full day and they're decently comfortable, although people with larger heads might find them a bit tight.
- Long lasting battery life and fast charging.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Plasticky build quality.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 aren't designed for wireless gaming. Their Bluetooth latency is too high for this use.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are mediocre wired gaming headphones. Some may like their excited V-Shaped sound profile, but it might be too boomy in action games. Their wired connection delivers a latency-free experience, but the included cable doesn't have an in-line microphone to communicate with friends and teammates.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Can be overly bass-heavy for some.
- Microphone disabled when being used wired.
- Latency-free gaming experience when wired.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are unremarkable for phone calls. Like most wireless Bluetooth headphones, the integrated microphone doesn't have a very good recording quality, resulting in a thin and muffled voice. The mic also struggles a bit to separate background noise from your voice, making them better suited for calls in very quiet environments.
- Decently comfortable and lightweight.
- Plasticky build quality.
- Mediocre microphone.
Changelog
- Updated Dec 12, 2022: We've added a comparison between these headphones and the Skullcandy Riff Wireless 2 in Bluetooth.
- Updated Jul 31, 2020: Updated review for accuracy and clarity.
- Updated Feb 20, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 are decently versatile headphones with a great wireless range and a lightweight, understated design. They're easy-to-use and decently comfortable if a bit tight on the head. They have a bass-heavy audio reproduction that sounds excited but won't be for everyone. Unfortunately, they don't isolate well in loud environments and their build quality feels a bit cheap and plasticky compared to some of the headphones. See our recommendations for the best wireless headphones, the best budget wireless headphones, and the best over-ear headphones under $100.
The Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless have similar performance to the Skullcandy Crusher Wireless 2016 in most aspects. The Hesh 3 have a greater wireless range, a slightly better-balanced sound, and a lighter and more comfortable design. They also tend to block a bit more noise passively, although not by much. On the other hand, the Crusher Wireless have a much better build quality than the Hesh 3. They also have longer battery life and an adjustable bass slider that makes them slightly more customizable.
The newer Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless are better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 2 Wireless. The cups are noticeably larger and feel more comfortable than the Hesh 2. The Hesh 3 also have better sound quality and there is a bass slider as well. Their wireless range is also noticeably better, but they have more latency than the previous model. On the other hand, the Hesh 2 have noticeably better battery life and also an in-line microphone, which the Hesh 3 lacks.
The JBL E55BT Wireless and the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless are pretty similar, but the JBL E55BT might be a slightly better option. They are a bit more comfortable to wear during long listening sessions and don't feel as cheaply made as the Skullcandy. The JBL can connect to two devices simultaneously and have an in-line microphone, which the Skullcandy lacks. On the other hand, the wireless range of the Skullcandy is significantly better, and they take half the time to charge for about the same battery life. However, the mid-range of the Skullcandy is pretty underemphasized, which will push vocals and lead instruments to the back of the mix.
The Cowin E8 Wireless are slightly better headphones than the Skullcandy Hesh 3 Wireless, but not by much. The Skullcandy charge much faster than the Cowin, which is convenient if you forget to charge them overnight. They also have an easier-to-use control scheme, a better sound quality with more bass, and a better wireless range. On the other hand, the Cowin have a slightly more comfortable over-ear fit and a more sturdy design. They also have a longer battery life and a good case that makes them decently portable, although the Skullcandy are a bit more compact since they fold.
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